Success on and off the field

Not only did the club raise over £800 for the club on saturday night but on Sunday we won again to progress in the cup. Congratulations to Hamza too for picking up managers player and players player awards. Well done H.

Lions beat the Irish 3-1

LEAGUE RESULT – DLFC 4-1 Hanwell Celtic

Goals from Paulo, Carlos, Hamzah and Someone Else (Sorry) secured our first win over Hanwell. Nice. Justice is served.

CUP RESULT DLFC 1-0 Hampton Badgers

Great start lads, Well done Paddy on the goal. Well chuffed for ya

Pipped at the post as Lions miss out on title

Dutch Lions 1 – FSL 3

It came down to the last game of the season, one match and the winner is crowned champions. Previously we has beaten FSL and although that game was like the alamo we knew they could be beaten so we went into the game confident. Boris the Blade was the ref for this contest and I must say he continues to impress me as a fine referee.

With the sun beating down we got the game underway. FSL gave us a lot of pressure early doors but we dealt with most attacks whilst making sporadic attempts on the FSL goal. Jaber cut inside from the right flack, dropping his shoulder to pass another defender and forcing a great save from the FSL keeper.

FSL went one up after a cross and a dodgy bounce of the hard surface put FSL’s top striker threw, he got on the right side of our final defender and cooley slotted the ball into the opposite corner.

We did not allow our heads to be dropped but it wasn’t long before FSL went two up. With us pushing up very high up the pitch, a nicely weighted ball was slipped right through the middle of our defense for the other FSL striker to poke home after beating the offside trap with precision.

Second half kicked off and we turned up the heat straight away. Carlos had a couple of efforts that saw the FSL keeper flapping. Our goal was created from a great passage of play involving Julian, Ahmed and finally Paulo.  A drilled shot from 25 yards by P was hit with pace but unfortunately, straight at the FSL keeper, with half the team retracting into position we could not help but gasp as the FSL keeper allowed the ball to dribble through his legs.

Fortunately for him that mistake did not prove significant as sadly, another comeback against FSL was not on the cards today. With us pushing on for an equaliser, FSL hit back with a third after carving out a great move and there top forward placing a shot into the top corner of our net.

My man of the man award goes to Hamzeh, I thought he was composed, calm and solid. This man has a great story, well done Hamzeh.

So, the dream was over. As disappointed as I was, I was so proud that we never gave up, we never made it easy for them throughout the entire season, beating them in the league, losing only two games in total and with an almost identical goal difference.

It has been rumoured that FSL have been offered Division 1 status, Will they accept this? who knows. From what I have seen that’s where they should be, just look at the results in all competetions. Whatever happens with them, I hope to play them again next year one way or another. They brought some of the best out in us and gave us a run all the way to the end and that made it so much more interesting.

Division Two status awaits us and we look forward to our next real challenge. Onwards and upwards teammates.

Coming soon: The Lions official end of year report.

Dutch Lions 2 -2 Claddagh Ring

Referee -  L.Benson
Pitch – Northwick Park

This game finished a draw after going two goals down in the first 25 minutes. Claddagh used their height perfectly this day and sure enough, Two deep crosses were converted via the two strikers heads. 2 nil up and we are out of it.

Arran made a great penalty save after O’Keeffe brought down one of the oppo’s strikers, he went down a bit easy for me to be honest. It was a truly great save and was vital has it eventually was to keep our league fight alive.

Carlos got us back in the game with a marvelous chip from 20 yards and Jaber left it late with a double back heel flick which sat up perfectly for him to volley home (Serious).

Claddagh were very much up for this, Being bottom hurts and they dug out a solid performance although if we had another 10 minutes I really do believe we could have clinched the 3 points.

We were most definitely our worst enemy on this day, I never seen so many moaning old bitches in all my life. This game for me shows that self control is key. You have to let your football do the talking.

True Legends of the Game – Bert Trautmann

1956 was a memorable year for Bert Trautmann: soon after becoming the first goalkeeper – and the first foreigner – to be voted Footballer of the Year, he broke his neck in the FA Cup Final. Unaware, he played on in pain, winning his medal – and the respect of the nation.

Trautmann (Pictured on the right) in the 1956 FA Cup played unknowingly with a broken neck

‘I have never seen a goalkeeper to compare with Trautmann in the form he was in for two or three seasons before 1956,’ Bobby Charlton wrote in 1967. ‘The man was inhuman.’

After serving as a German soldier during the Second World War, Trautmann – real name Bernhard – signed for Manchester City in 1949, following his release from a prisoner-of-war camp in Lancashire. In his prime, he was the only goalkeeper ever to figure in the team-talks given by Matt Busby, the Manchester United manager.

‘Don’t stop to think where you’re going to hit it with Trautmann,’ Busby implored his players. ‘Hit it first and think afterwards. If you look up and work it out he will read your thoughts and stop it.’

Great saves ‘were a normal part of his game’, Charlton said. Saving penalties was a particular speciality: during his career he saved 60 per cent of the spot-kicks he faced.

At the end of the FA Cup Final in 1956 Trautmann left the field rubbing his neck. ‘At the official banquet I could hardly move my head because of the pain,’ he recalled. ‘I did not let that interfere with my enjoyment, mind you.’ He had much to celebrate: Manchester City defeated Birmingham City 3-1 that day.

It would be several days before a diagnosis was made: a fractured bone in his neck, sustained when he dived at the feet of an onrushing forward. Though obviously dazed and in pain, Trautmann stayed in his goal. The crowd responded with a chorus of ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’.

Pressures off the field made his performances on it all the more remarkable: As a former Hitler Youth member, Trautmann was an obvious target for any anti-German sentiment in the post-war era. Trautmann split opinion; others rallied to him in support. Throughout it all, he reacted with dignity. At no time did he apologise for his nationality, nor did he flinch when abused.

Gradually, though, his skill, courage and sportsmanship won over the critics. One game – at Fulham in 1950 – typified his experience. Incessant chants of ‘Kraut’ and ‘Nazi’ greeted him at Craven Cottage; ninety minutes later, following an outstanding display, Trautmann left the field to a standing ovation.

Tactically, Trautmann changed the game. At a time when goalkeepers tended to limit their responsibilities to shot-stopping and catching crosses, he thought of himself as the team’s first attacker – employing skills that he developed whilst playing handball as a boy.

‘His push-throw could send the ball 40 yards,’ Bobby Charlton wrote in 1967. ‘Most keepers have now copied this technique’, eliminating several opponents and initiating sharp counter-attacks.

For all his popularity in England – 47,000 people turned up for his testimonial at Maine Road in 1964 – Trautmann was deliberately overlooked by West Germany at international level as a result of a rule barring overseas-based players from selection.

Even so, his reputation spread. When asked to name two world-class goalkeepers, the great Russian keeper Lev Yashin rather immodestly named himself and ‘the German boy who played in Manchester’.

Promotion Assured with Gwalia Victory

Gwalia 1 – Dutch Lions 2

Gwalia was always going to be a test. This team is angry, really angry! Why I can’t tell you, but we knew exactly what to expect. Gwalia are a team that live off the battle but it’s not been enough for this set of lads to mount a serious challenge to the league. They now have to battle it out for fourth with AFC Finchley and Sudbury Inn.

We started off playing some good, one touching passing and didn’t panic as half time drew nearer. Chances where missed but I felt we did our best with the difficult chances presented to us. Carlos hit the bar from an impossible angle and Julian came close with a shot outside the dee.

As the 45 minute mark approached a gwalia pass was pushed into the left side of our defence rolling towards the corner flag. With some confusion, the defence was slow to pick up the only gwalia attacker (happy go lucky Ray) who ran with it. With Noel breathing down his neck and on the edge of the box perhaps 7 yards from the corner flag Ray hit the ball with suburb skill over Arran and into the far corner. It was almost van-basten like. That piece of magic concluded the first half. 

Gwalia’s goal (But not on the volley)

At Half time we talked about competing more and we did so in the second half. Our equaliser came shortly into the second half with a a series of intricate one-twos between Ahmed and Paulo worked Paulo through their defence and he coolly slotted it to the keepers right. A nice goal and well deserved.

Our Winner was scored by a man who deserved a goal. Only a week early in a friendly Jules missed a glaring header in the same goal and when Paulo whipped in a corner from the left, Julian rose like a salmon to score his first goal for the Dutch Lions, to say we went mental was an understatement. It was a popular goal and one he will remember forever.

I felt that our equalizer rattled Gwalia and they look over once Paulo had scored the first. They did hold on and insisted on not giving up however we had the discipline to shut up shop and be content with a 2-1 victory.

Arran made another string of suburb saves in the second half and we all realise after this year how important he has been for us between those sticks.

Hamza played very well two defending confidently in “Another” unfamiliar position at right back. Pedro also done well dropping back to allow Noel to attack.

Well done everyone and we go one step closer, and with promotion assured today (Colindale Athletic cannot catch us) we can focus on getting maximum points from our two remaining games.

Lions to Strong for Brave John Lewis

Dutch Lions FC 4 – 1 John Lewis

The only game to be played at Northwick Park on this wet and windy Sunday was this fixture and boy I had a funny feeling about this game. To make matters worse it was contested on our bogey pitch. The game was one I won’t look back on with great memories however the pluses ended with us getting the the three points, some players were able to rest whilst we incurred no fresh injuries.

If someone said before that we would beat JL 4-1 I would have been very happy with that. They did themselves proud and with only the lone star Brian up front for JL a lot came from him.

Carlos got the ball rolling after gliding a pass like shot, first time to the keepers high right. Half time came and we introduced another striker to take the game to JL. Before long We doubled our lead with  a nice shot from our super Sub Niall. Two nil and perhaps we have the comfort zone?? no way, JL got back into the game when their striker rose at the far post from a corner to not in his effort almost straight after our second.

Minutes later Noels strong run from the left and drilled shot flew under JL’s keeper to make it three and Hamzeh Cooley made it four when a nice cut back from Paulo for an effortless finish into the far right which seemed to take an age to hit the back of the net.

We did the job and wish John Lewis good luck. Lee and Brian do a good job and we hope they are able to maintain there third division status. Well done boys on getting through this obstacle. Three to go.

TEAM: Skinny,Clark,Okeeffe,Bates,Hamzeh,Jaber,Jules,Ahmed,Jones,Teves,Paulo SUBS: Yasser D, Danny J and Niall K.

Our Dream is Alive as FSL are Beaten

FSL 1 -2 Dutch Lions FC

Today’s game was all about belief, knowing how to play against top opposition and understanding the importance of a top goalkeeper on your side. Arran collected the man of the match award today for making four top draw saves. He’s communication was also very good and although he insists on sporting tea cosys on his head he has proved today that although his fashion sense leads a bit to be desired his prowess between the sticks is unquestionable.

The game started of in the worst possible way, Their leading striker, with his back to goal flicked the ball off Grants head, sold me the nut mug and curled it into the opposite corner within about 4 minutes. It was a poor start and he single handily caught us cold.

As the first half went on we started to get a grip on the game and we passed the ball very well. Our equaliser came from some great work from Paulo who put through Niall for his 14th of the season.

Carlos came close when he chipped the keeper only for a desperate goal line clearance to keep the sides level at half time. We went into the break believing we could do this and importantly, understanding what was required. The second half proved a long 45 minutes with both keepers being heavily tested. At times the game was truly end to end with Arran and their keeper making several key saves to keep the contest at one a piece. The decider came with around 20 minutes to go when Ahmed crossed the ball to Niall and with the FSL defense caught napping he touched it once with his right before smacking it in the the top right hand corner with his left. 

Even after scoring this we knew there was still a lot of football to play, Jaber came on midway throught the second half and worked very well often making the fifth defender late on. Grant was back to his best with a commanding performance at the back and as the game went on Noel marked their danger-man with ease. Ahmed, Julian, Paulo and Pedro played very well throughout with some fantastic passing and some great battling. Carlos and Niall worked tirelessly and defended from the front superbly. Nialls performance also must be highlighted, He worked hard, he ran and ran, he tackled back and at crucial “heated” times during the game gave good calming advice to the team.

Timid and Yasser came on late to bolster are attack but with the sheer level of pressure we were under spent most of the game defending.

 FSL are undoubtedly a smashing team and are destined for big things, They are in the Middlesex Final Vs The Stag shortly and doing well in the competitions. I will get myself down to watch that game as it promises to be a cracker.

This win puts us top for the first time in our history BUT we must win the remaining fixtures to make this day really count. Give yourselves a pat on the back and recharge those batteries for what looks like an exciting run in. Well done everyone.

TEAM: Skinny, Hamzeh, O’Keeffe, Bates, Jones, Pedro Ramalho, Paulo Ramalho, Julian, Ahmed, Carlos, Niall SUBS: Darr and Timid.

Lions Continue To Climb

Sudbury Inn 1 – Dutch Lions 3

Another Carlos Hatrick keeps the Dutch Lions on track for league assault. 

Sudbury Inn came out to give us a game today. With the wind up we struggled to get the ball down and play. Some good defending from The Inn kept the game at a stalemate up until around the 43rd minute when Jabor was taken clean out in the box. The ref had no hesitation when he awarded us a penalty and after a little horseplay Carlos stepped up and stuck it in the opposite side to the keepers dive.

Second half kicked off and Sudbury got back in it right away, a ball dropped over and into the six yard box it was headed back by us only to be snatched at by the hard working Sudbury lone striker, 1-1.

Carlos stood over the ball for a free kick some 23yards out and from the 45 degree angle bent it with power into the opposite corner, It was a corker. Even at 2-1 the game needed to be put to bed. As the game went on we did get stronger, finding more space and creating good opportunities. Carlos rounded up his day with his third and significantly, his second hatrick in two games and the game was won.

Sudbury Inn’s keeper done well to keep the score down with some very good stops and some good handling. If they keep this up they will have more victories this year. It was widely agreed that we could have played better, I think it’s important to acknowledge this but not to ponder on it. Every game is vital but next week is a six pointer, Focus, Be ready and ensure three shredded wheat are consumed in order to maintain our current league position. 

Get Well Soon Eduardo

 The mighty Dutch Lions F.C. wish Eduardo a speedy recovery. We will wait and celebrate your come back goal for the Arsenal very soon

Claddagh Ring Conquered

The Claddagh Ring 1- Dutch Lions 4

Playing against the Claddagh Ring for the first time we set out to play our game and not allow them to impose on us.

Previous results from the Claddagh Ring saw Gwalia bang 10 past them with no reply and then they go and beat the good starters Colindale Athletic  3-2.

We started a little shaky with them getting behind us a couple of times with the wind assisting almost every pass. We settled and Paulo came close when he screwed a shot two foot away from the left post from outside the box. Jabor scored our first when he cleverly filled in as the third striker in a move I honestly cannot remember. The early goal calmed us but didn’t distract the Claddagh as much as we’ve seen others teams in the past. The Claddagh Ring had limited shots but none really tested Arran in the first half.

Our second came shortly after Pedro had a one on one with the keeper and failed to capitalise, O’Keeffe pinched the ball high up in midfield and poked it to Paulo, with me making the decoy run to the left pulling their defence apart he pushed it into the opposite right side, straight into the path of Carlos who Cooley passed the ball in the net, 2-0 and cruising.

Half time tea did the trick and our third was created with O’Keeffe placing a wind assisted ball over the towering defender, with Carlos anticipating this is again slotted home for his second. We conceded our goal because of Noel (again)

An attempted chest back to Arran from 3 yards out in a crowed six yard box was slammed home from the Claddagh Ring.

Our forth was also supplied in a similar vein to the third. Grant placed another long ball into the path of Carlos and he made no mistake knowing his first hat-trick for the lions awaited him. Well done Teves.

I thought the Claddagh Ring had some good players who liked to pass the ball. The game did get a little heated at times and perhaps this could have been avoided. They worked hard and a lot of them limped off the park after finding it a hard physical contest. They maintained there spirits late on and have the right idea. They are a credit to the league, Good luck fellas.

The game may be remembered for the trigger happy linesman-ship, but to be fair I couldn’t really argue with many of them from where I was but after a while it seemed to get silly. We will work on this.

Paulo’s Audacious shot from the second half kick off was amazing. Did the keeper flick it over? it was a bullet. What an Incredible effort from a man who has shown such dedication to the team. Keep plugging away P.

Goal from The Kick Off Courtesy of FC United

I was very impressed by Ahmed and Pedro, they showed great composure in the middle today, Hamzah was solid, Grant lead well and Jabors work rate was fantastic. Peter came close with a directed header from 10 yards going over the bar. Subs Yasser and Danny done well to keep the momentum up.

Well done today team. I was very pleased with todays solid performance that didn’t really push us out of third gear.

Sudbury Inn next week at the Den, another win and we can go second, above FSL who have cup duties. What more motivation do you need?

PROOF Team Talk In Spurs Kit DID Happen!

Lions exit Cup

FSL 7-2 Dutch Lions 

2-1 up with 4 minutes to go. How can we lose? We did and badly. A late goal by the former 1st Division Harrow side put us into extra time and in the space on 30 minutes they extended there goal tally by FIVE. A cast iron penalty won by Niall allowed Carlos to claim a calmly taken penalty and Carlos’s second was special. The man dedicated the goal to me just BEFORE he actually took the kick, He must have been 28 yards out. That was a special moment.

Lets remember guys that when we meet these again in the league we can beat them, We have beaten better sides. Concentration played a key part in our loss but if I know the team, we will bounce back. Get your boots clean (and dry) because Sundays League game now means more than ever.

Kenton Crumble

Kenton Town FC 0 – 4 Dutch Lions FC

The Lions swaggered into the next round of the President’s Cup, with a comprehensive demolition of Kenton Town.

While the opposition were from a division higher, the result was no real surprise, as Kenton are marooned at the bottom of their league while the Lions go from strength to strength. The next round is likely to prove far tougher, as the opposition are FSL, currently two points above the Lions in the league.

A SPURS KIT LIONS! Hang your heads in Shame

On a perfect day for football (quagmire of a pitch notwithstanding), Kenton started with plenty of enthusiasm, but without threatening Pedro in goal. Having weathered the early storm, the Lions were soon creating chances. Paulo and Niall’s movement was dragging the Kenton defence all over the place, and it was really only the boggy pitch that prevented an early lead being established. However, the opening goal soon arrived, when Carlos found some dry grass on the right wing and swung over the first of three pinpoint crosses that led to goals. On this occasion, it was Noel who arrived at the far post to nod in a simple opener.

After a couple more chances, including a cast iron penalty call, Niall made it two, with another header from another Carlos cross, this time from the left.

The second half started with another flurry from Kenton, and Pedro made a couple of quality saves to keep the Lions two in front. Normal service was resumed when Jabba, on as a sub, spun in the box and lifted the ball into the area where Noel connected with a sweet right footed volley to put the Lions three up.

Number four followed soon after, with Carlos again bamboozling the left back and picking out Jabba at the far post, and his finish was confident and emphatic.

A solid all round performance from the team, with everyone contributing, and another clean sheet. In particular, Pedro was safe as houses in goal, while Hamzeh and Noel again worked the left flank to good effect. Ahmed bossed the midfield, not only winning the ball, but also picking out numerous rapier like passes as well as getting shots on goal. Top performance for the second week running!

Up front, Niall got his customary goal, as well as taking some heavy punishment, and while Paolo may not be scoring, his work rate and movement cause the opposition’s defence endless problems.

 Finally, Carlos – three carbon copy assists after getting himself back in the starting 11 – good day’s work, fella!

While the match got a wee bit niggly, the Kenton WAGS on the touchline provided some witty banter to those of us close by. Makes a change from being called an old Scottish c**t!

Conversely, a couple of points for the male Kenton supporter, who shouted (at 3-0 down) “Let’s not get beaten by a bunch of yids!”:-

• While the Lions may not have a single person of the Jewish faith in the team, it was still a grossly offensive remark
• In what universe do you exist, whereby there was any likelihood of Kenton staging a four-goal comeback to defeat the Lions? Pigs flying, blue moons, hell freezing over, month of Sundays etc etc all spring to mind. Look forward to playing you next year. Whoops – that’s not going to happen either . .  .

Lions Punish League Leaders

Dutch Lions FC 3-0 Colindale Athletic

Colindale may be top of league but for how long? Our comprehensive beating of this team was a joy to watch. Colindale with a bare eleven looked weak in certain positions and we exposed that. Justice was sweet as we did not do ourselves justice in the away leg.

Our first goal came from a great run by noel getting past their right back with ease and cutting the ball back for Niall to poke into the bottom left corner. The second was from a delicious ball from Pedro that had SMACK THAT wrote all over it. Pedro looked like he was shaping up for the shot but with confidence passed the ball into Niall who had the better angle to score. Pedro claimed his second of the season also and could of made it two but for a him putting a rebound over the bar. In the second half we made three changes bringing on Carlos, Danny and Jabor but could not increase our lead. What a difference an early goal makes hey.

Down the left we were strong and inventive. The right done well to contain colindales star player Fabio (number 14) and to get in advance of the oppo’s fullback. Again Arran made two tidy saves and another clean sheet. We have conceded 6 all season in league which give us not only the best defence in the league but also the joint best goal difference with FSL with +17.

Next week its our last cup chance and we entertain second division Kenton. Until then, at ease soldier.

 Team: Skinny,Clarke,O’Keeffe,Bates,H.Ajjour,A.Ajjour,Pedge(1),Jules, Noel, Niall(2),Paulo. Subs used Carlos,Jabor,Danny. Subs not used Yasser D.

Our finest hour (Almost)

Willesden Legionaire 1 Dutch Lions FC 0

1-0, one flaming Nil and we are out of the cup. Considering our performance I think it’s fair to say we DID deserve to win this game. We coped with the conditions better, we tested there keeper maybe a dozen times compared to their four shots and looked better than them all over the pitch dominating at times.

The pitch was a swamp however I was pleased with the manner in which we didn’t moan about it and just played.
Grant I thought had a great game and it was a pleasure playing along side him. Ahmed was calm in the middle hardly losing possession under pressure, Jabor worked tirelessly and was unlucky not to score with some great efforts from distance. Yasser and Julian applied the discipline in the middle in the first half to plug any holes in the defence/midfield. Hamzah played great AGAIN on the left hand side.

Noel showed some of the old trademark bursts that we know he can do when allowed to attack with freedom whilst Arran made two great saves getting low after quick breaks from Willesden.

There Club Secretary and linesman acknowledged during the game to his team that they shouldn’t allow us to continue “Taking the biscuit” for the want of another expression and we truly deserved the win. No one would have given us a chance against a division one side who have won more games this season than lost.

The fact is we did not place the ball in the back of the net and no matter what manner you play the game if you don’t score you aren’t going to win much. It was hard to really get you shots off with the mud stuck to boots and we missed the one goal that Niall would have provided if he had made it. It’s not the lack of effort, it’s the deadly finishing that escapes us at times.

We have a big game next week against Colindale and we must end that game with 3 points to keep us in the running. Colindale have not played for some time and if we start this competition has we ended the last I’m confident we will achieve the victory. 

Thanks To Macca for running the line, it’s an important job and he helped out a lot. John, more tea required next week mate, it’s going down a treat.

Team Skinny,Clark,O’Keeffe,Bates,H. Ajjour, A. Ajjour,P Ramalho Senior, Jones, Yasser D, Marshall, Jabor, Subs used Carlos Teves, Paulo Ramalho.

The Lions trample Sudbury 8-1

Our best ever score was a 6-1 win over Sudbury in the reverse fixture last year, This year we went 2 better and I think with this one we could of easily been into the magical double figures if our earlier shots had simply been on target, not in the corner or off the post, simply on target. The utility player Sudbury used to take up the keepers role was to be kind poor. To his credit nearly everything hit at him, he saved but put it an inch either side of the fella and you would have increased your goal tally by one by friend. This shows what a specialised position a keeper is, without a sound keeper you will always leak goals and importantly, without an able deputy your absolutely shafted.

Within  the 10 minutes we went one nil up with a clinical finish from Niall, at that point we considered taking him off because this man will always score for you, the problem is he will “generally” only score one.
Sudbury got right back in the game went there swashbuckling right back evaded our midfield and defence to get his shot off and past Arran. I must take credit for the actual goal has I swept in to clear it only managing to boot it even harder into our net. The less said the better. 1-1.

Then the fun started, We stuck together, never panicked and supported each other thought out. Nialls second, Yes Second, proved to be a great goal, I believe The Ramalho Brothers combined to work it in to the box, A crafted Shot/Come cross sat nicely for Niall to head home. Ahmed took his goal well fainting a shot with his right, and shooting with his left. He dedicated that to me, That was nice, Anyway…

Further goals from Jabor, Paulo, Carlos capped a great day for us. I must not forget the most over celebrated goal of the day, Yes the won achieved by our Captain. Pedro has finally got on the score sheet and is only 4 goals away from saving every inch of hair on his body. Well done Pedro, you deserve it.

Next week Gwalia. Let’s not make the same mistake they did. Coming off the back off smacking ten past another team they faced us. I don’t think I will ever forget their fella shouting “Lets bang ten past these mugs”, we won 4-0, it tells its own story.

Well done to Hamzeh for stepping back into left back and not looking out of place, Jabor for his running, Arran for a fine save from a free kick. Credit to Sudbury, who had some gifted players in their side but lacked the link up and real goal threat to cause us any real problems.

Team: Skinny, Clark, Bates, O’Keeffe (1 O.G.), H. Ajjour, P. Ramahlo Senior (1),Carlos(1), Kerney(2), P. Ramahlo Junior(1), Jabor(1), A. Ajjour(1).

Subs Used: Jaghia(70)

Match Report – AFC Finchley 2-1 Dutch Lions

Well, We started well carving out several chances, AFC looked strong and used the width of the pitch well. We won a penalty at nil nil and our skipper wanted this badly, he opted for a calm place to the keepers left, unfortunately, the keeper went the same way and made a smart save. nil nil and on we go.

AFC went one nil up shortly after with the defense leaving their captain and key striker alone and importantly with time, with the advancing Arran coming off his line to shut him down he calmly executed a perfect lob to put the home team one up. They came close to going 2-o up with there other striker hitting the corner of the goal post with nearly an entire goal to aim at. Into the second half we continued to have the best of the play but our final play let us down again and again. The coffin was finally nailed when a save from Arran was spilled and the clearance fell to AFC’s earlier scorer, with Peter closing him down he managed to get his shot off and with a wicked deflection of the Scotsman it looped over our keeper, 2-0. Niall got his goal with him following up a cross and beating the keeper to the near post.

Well done Niall on keeping your ratio up. We must continue to focus on the final ball when attacking, Although the defense wasn’t great today generally they have done well this season. To round up, for effort I would give us 10/10, for application, I would say 6/10.