DBFC 45s 5-1 HKFC Dynamics
Friday 4 November at HKFC, K.O. 8:30p.m.
Team: Alessio/Adam, Neil L, Steve, Dirik/ Fela, Mac, Yin, Morse, Kieran M/ Greg. Initial subs: Hymsey, Mike C, Tim
Scorers: Yin x2, Kieran McK x2 and Greg
This game marked the 5th anniversary of DBFC 45s football, a fixture against what is usually HKFC’s strongest vets team in which our record was Played 7, Lost 6, Won 1. Our efforts to get out a strong side were not helped by Fouad declaring himself injured on the morning of the game. As we warmed up before the game, we could see that Dynamics had an older side than usual but no shortage of well known players, including DBFC transfer target Martin.
We decided to set up with a 3 man central midfield with Kieran and Fela operating out wide to support lone striker Greg up front. In view of our poor record against Dynamics, our strategy was to make sure we did not let the game get away from us in the early stages.
The game started in a predictable manner, with Dynamics controlling most of the possession and DB struggling to get into good positions moving forward. Dynamics created and wasted a couple of good chances when they got behind our back 4 but generally we defended well as a team and Alessio cleaned up any loose ends at the back. Our efforts to grow into the game were marred by a number of not very constructive verbal exchanges with Fela, which resulted in Fela substituting himself for Hymsey after 25 minutes. Mike C also came on at LB for Dirik. It was 0-0 at HT and we sensed that we could get something out of the game.
Tim came on for Manager Steve and Morse dropped to CB. Dynamics had no substitutes to call on and this proved to be a decisive factor as we moved into the 2nd half and as their older players tired. We made one tactical switch to move Kieran to RM so that he could operate in an area where Dynamics Martin could not provide cover. We went ahead shortly after the HT break with Yin drifting into a good position at the far post and controlling a cross from RW and calmly passing the ball past the GK. Yin followed up soon after with a shot that connected more with his shin and looped over their GK from outside the area.
However, Dynamics were still in it and Alessio had to make two fantastic saves in close 1 on 1 situations. At this point Kieran surfaced from his crew break and scored twice as the game started to open up more and more – first a lob on the volley over the keeper’s head as the keeper came out too slowly to claim the ball, and then an excellent strike from outside the area. Dynamics pulled one back 10 minutes from time almost immediately after we had gone 4-0 up, after we gave up fairly routine possession in midfield and their striker got to a through ball just before the advancing Alessio. However this was not the beginning of a comeback and DB played out the final part of the game confidently. Greg hit our 5th in the final minute of the game with another sweet strike from outside the area.
A good evening’s work by the 45s and, despite the relatively late finish, good numbers in the HKFC outside bar to celebrate a rare win against Dynamics
