Taela’s 30th Birthday in Newcastle

For a video of the weekend click below.

For the photos click here.
Leave your stories and comments below. Thanks Taela and well done on organising it all. Thanks again pal.

MATCH REPORT - Dutch Lions 2-1 NLO III

WARNING: This match report contains deep and meaningful concepts that you may not be capable of understanding.

Today I witnessed a sign from above. A sign that would indicate something very special was about to occur. I was the first of the team to enter the ground closely followed by Taela. Just as I was entering the building I noticed a little flutter, like a crisp packet, after focusing I realised this was no crisp packet, it was a little bird, not any type of bird, a very special variety, a robin redbreast. I froze, this was a rare moment, the wee little fella settled on another player’s bag for a little rest. I slowly got the attention of this guy and his mate who hadn’t noticed this intrusion whilst they shared a cigarette. I ask the guys to freeze and not make any movements. Looking back this wasn’t the wisest thing to say. If you hear that around my way then you’re probably getting mugged at gun point.

Oddly enough they compiled and I alerted them to his new team member. To my amazement the bird sat completely still, as if it was thinking…. Was it dead, no, He was having a dump. All over matey’s bag. Unlike me, they where not able to see the significance of this event. My mother has always supported a theory that animal shit is lucky, why I don’t know. I guess it’s about taking something positive from a negative situation and I have always enjoyed that idea.

I stated to these two guys that what we had seen was a sign, a sign of good things to come, don’t be disheartened, don’t be embarrassed because a two inch bird has shit on your bag, rejoice for what you have seen is special.

I was disappointed that throughout this mind bending experience Taela remained cold, unmoved and frankly unimpressed with the whole situation. I do hope that spiritually he will realise the impact of this symbol and stop being so shallow. Only time will tell I guess.

I understood straight away that this moment had to be recorded. Matey carefully pulled out his phone in an brave attempt to capture this gift. Not only did he get close enough for a picture but the robin was polite enough to turn his head towards the camera phone totally unprompted, what a pro. At this stage I was an emotionally wreck. Then the moment was topped off with the krem-da-la-krem, Mateys Mate (you still with me) turned and whispered to the watching crowd that bravely “I’m gonna stroke it”. This for me was too much, he should be locked up. He’s clearly a nutter. As he bent over the bird remained still, not even Dr Dolittle himself would attempt such foolery but sure enough the bird remained still whilst having it’s little red breast stroked. I’ve seen everything now and wanted to go home but we had a game to crack on with. Matey sent me the photo below complete with the bird shit clearly visible.

I later contacted Matey that night and found that he had a name, they call him Paul. He plays for AC Carrera. He went onto to tell me his own story after this mornings events. His team, with a bare 11 went four nil up, lost two players to injury (one being the keeper) and Paul grabbed a brace including one half volley from a full 25 yards. Paul had also spent Sunday evening realising the robins importance. Sadly Paul’s team lost a team member recently to leukaemia. The team had dedicated their season to him and Paul genuinely believes that the robins presence was related.

Before the game it was announced that Pedro would be our new captain. Timid has stood down and we thanked him for his efforts. Pedro was very proud to take up the post. We talked before the came about being positive. We went out determined to support each other and encourage. Julian Marshall made he’s debut at right back and did not put a foot out of place all game. I replaced Noel (injured) at left back with Paulo joining Timid up front. Other than that the team was unchanged.

Timid stirred the team’s emotions comparing the film “the last samurai” with the type of dedication we should aim to achieve. He was ranting on and started talking about cutting geezers nuts off if we lost, Pedro then insisted that if we lost today we should stab ourselves. I’m really, really concerned about these two.

The first half provided several efforts from both sides with the lions testing the NLO keeper the most. We went one down after pushing up from a deep NLO free kick, unfortunately no one picked up the runner from midfield and Taela was left with a one on one which he a little chance of stopping. Timid then came close with an effort fired directly at the NLO keeper.

As the second half began we knew what was required. 3 points was achievable today, With respect to NLO we felt we could and should win. Paulo’s passing and work rate was immense today and moments into the second half he made a sensational run into the six yard box and picked out Hamza who coolly finished. Every Lion knew that our aim could be realised and we pushed on. The link up play during the game was a joy to watch between our attackers. Our second goal and the winner came from a cross into the six yard box. Macca rose like a salmon to nod the ball with pace into NLO’s net. Everyone was delighted for Macca. Sadly Macca’s Grandmother died only days before and he dedicated he’s goal to her. Well done Macca.

The lions did not get too carried away, we allowed ourselves a few high fives and cracked on. We could smell victory. Taela continued to come off his line well after some nervy late breaks from NLO but they rarely throughout the game hit the target. Grant was immense today in defence often coming to the rescue of his fellow defenders. Pedro and Ahmed kept the engine room running smooth and it was great to see the wingers enjoying the width of our pitch.

For me, my highlight was the joy I witnessed on our players faces at the final whistle, we worked hard and supported each other throughout and deserved the win today. We have also seen what can be achieved and will use this as a springboard to bigger and better things. I was very proud of everyone today.

The robin may have been a sign (it certainly was for Paul) but truthfully I have always been a firm believer that in life (and football) you make you own luck, today we made ours; we battled for one another and played as a true team. We executed our plan and refused to lose.

So Timids nuts get too see another day, Let’s hope he can keep hold of them for a little while longer. Well done Lions.

Thanks also to Paul from AC Carrera and we wish you and your team continued success.

MATCH REPORT - St Andrews 3-1 Dutch Lions

Within minutes of the game starting Taela was called into action tipping a shot onto his own post and collecting in one stroke.
St Andrews 1st goal came from a long deep cross which looped over the keeper and in. Jabor made it 1-1 after latching onto a long ball and lobbing the keeper for a fine finish. St Andrew second goal came  in the second half after a little light weight defending gave a chance for there star striker who snapped up the invite, in of the post, our keeper had no chance.

The final nail in the coffin came with about 15 minutes to go with further defensive indecisiveness which gave them possibly the easiest goal they will score this season.

St Andrews Youth are a very young and fit side who are capable of good things this season. The Lions will learn from this defeat and I am confident that this miserable start will end now and we must focus on our next game with NLO III this sunday. Changes will have to be made to correct our game. Lets keep the team spirit and the belief and I know this will come good.
Watch this space.

Football Interesting Fact #001

Did you know that if a team kicks a direct or indirect free-kick directly into its own goal, then a corner is awarded to the opposition?

MATCH REPORT - Dutch Lions 0-3 Hanwell Celtic

MATCH REPORT by Peter Clark
Lions’ Roar Muted
Dutch Lions 0 – 3 Hanwell

The Lions were brought back down to earth on Sunday, sliding to a three nil defeat against a youthful Hanwell side. Preparing for their first league match after a couple of friendlies and a cup match, the Lions knew this would be a far harder examination of their progress since forming in the summer. Hanwell had won both their league matches to date, and are an established set up (albeit new to this level), while the Lions are still in the in the throes of creation.

Despite this, the three goals conceded could all be put down to defensive errors, with each being the result of a failure to clear our lines effectively whilst in possession. The Lions made one change from the previous week, with Jabba returning in attack and Paulo dropping to the bench. Hanwell started confidently, but the Lions were soon into their stride, constructing a series of dangerous attacks with some neat interplay. Jabba went close twice, heading into the keeps arms from five yards, and then just wide with an ambitious overhead kick after a thrusting right wing attack. Timid was also unlucky, constantly probing, and almost rounding the keeper on one occasion before the covering defence came to the rescue.

Hanwell were clearly a side to be respected however, though not creating too many clear-cut chances. It looked like the sides would turn round at nil nil when the game changed dramatically in the space of a few minutes.

Firstly, possession was conceded in the Lions’ left hand corner. From a tight angle, virtually on the byline, the Hanwell midfielder showed good skill to strike a hard, swerving right-footed cross which deceived keeper Walters and drifted over his head into the net at the far post.

Not deserving to be behind at this stage, the Lions pushed forward, but were unable to force the equaliser. Worse was then to follow, when another loose ball wasn’t cleared effectively from in front of the Lions goal. The scorer of Hanwell’s first took advantage to double his and his teams tally, stepping up to crack the loose ball home with a fine strike from 22 yards.

With the wind and the slope behind them, the Lions were confident of coming back into things in the second half, but as events transpired, it wasn’t to be our day.

Paulo replaced the injured Hamza soon after half time, followed quickly by O’Keeffe replacing Jabba. The reshuffle pushed Timid wide left, while Clark moved into midfield.

The pressure was all on Hanwell, but so was a fair slice of luck. Timid rattled the post with one pile driver, and saw the keeper perfectly positioned to hold another rising effort. However, despite a large amount of possession, too often through balls ran straight to their keeper, and it was clear that it was going to take something special to beat him and the well-organised Hanwell defence.

With ten minutes remaining, the Lions again lost possession in a danger area in front of goal. A quick ball floated over the defence left the Hanwell striker with the simple task of sliding the ball past Taylor for three nil.

The Lions finished on the attack, Noel shooting narrowly wide after another intricate attack, but frustratingly, it was proving to be one of those days.

So, not the ideal way to kick off the league campaign, but the scoreline did not reflect the reality of the match. All goals were the result of possession being gifted to the opposition. Do that consistently at any level, and life will be difficult.

However, it’s early days, and the team is still gelling. Had one of our efforts gone in, even at two nil, things could have been very different. We were still pushing on at the end, and unlucky not to net. Hanwell are a good, well-organised side (although somewhat inclined to get involved in Irish parliaments with the referee), but eminently beatable. Today’s experience must be put to use and learnt from. The target for next week is three points.

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F.A. Trophy - Plot DLFC’s Progress..

After the 1st Round win over Beestotted B’s we have now been drawn with K.D.A F.C. at Home on the 5th November, K.D.A F.C. Beat Greenford Hotspur F.C. 9-5 in the 1st round so scoring goals is not an issue for this team.

Visit Middlesex County Cups for more draw details and results so far.

MATCH REPORT Dutch Lions 5–1 Beesotted B

Beesotted Bedazzled
Match Report By Peter Clark
Dutch Lions FC 5 – 1 Beesotted B

The Dutch Lions first ever competitive fixture ended with a resounding 5-1 victory over Besotted B in the first round of the Middlesex FA Junior Trophy.

Going in 1-0 down at the break, despite creating numerous chances, the Lions came roaring out of the traps in the second half, hitting five without reply to stride purposefully into the next round of the cup.

The starting line up featured only two changes from the previous week’s, with Peter Clark coming in at right back, and Paolo replacing the unavailable Jabba in attack. Keeping the ball on the ground, and looking to spread it wide at every opportunity, the Lions were soon in command. Numerous opportunities were created, but a combination of some sloppy finishing and poor final ball meant that Besotted were still very much in it. Indeed, in one of their rare forays up the park, they snatched an unlikely lead. A free kick wide right was whipped in viciously, and the Lions’ defence failed to pick up the late midfield runner whose subtle touch from 6 yards gave keeper Walters little chance.

Refusing to let their heads go down, the Lions pushed forward continuously, but in truth, didn’t force the Beesotted keeper into too much action. Apart from a header by Clark from a corner, it’s difficult to recall the Besotted keeper having to make a save in the first half. While the opposition didn’t pose much threat from open play, any set piece was not dealt particularly comfortably in the Lions’ box. Indeed, Beesotted were unlucky not to go two up when a throw in caused all sorts of confusion in the six-yard area, and the ball looped narrowly over Walters’ bar.

The half time team talk from manager O’Keeffe concentrated on the Lions sticking to the basic principle of simple passing, and starting to take their chances. The team responded in the most positive way possible. Right from the kick off, Ahmed almost scored when a speculative forward ball from in his own half almost caught the Beesotted keeper napping when it sailed narrowly past the post after one bounce. Xabi Alonso, eat your heart out . . .

That wind-assisted effort indicated that the increasing strength of the wind would be a factor in the second half, and so it proved shortly afterwards. A massive clearance from Walters was allowed to sale over the Beesotted defenders’ heads and nippy striker Paulo ghosted in behind to bury the equaliser. Considering that all the wasted chances created by the Lions were due to neat passing football, it was ironic that a route 1 Wimbledon –style effort should bring their first goal.

The smell of blood was in the Lions nostrils now, and the wind made it increasingly difficult for Beesotted to clear their lines. Corner followed corner, and it was from one of these that the Lions took the lead. Paulo’s effort was slightly mishit, and also took a deflection, before spinning into the top right hand corner to make it 2-1.

There was only going to be one winner now. With the Lions defence imperious, Beesotted were never going to score. Paulo almost grabbed his hat trick with a driven shot going narrowly wide, while Clark had another header from a corner clawed away by the keeper, as Timid floated in a variety of wickedly teasing set pieces.

Timid notched the third himself, running at the right hand of the Beesotted defence, then firing a snap shot past the partially unsighted keeper’s left hand. He followed this up with his second and the Lion’s fourth, pouncing on a defensive error to run on and easily beat the keeper.

 

An injury to left winger Hamza saw player/manager O’Keeffe coming on at right back, with Clark moving to central midfield, and Ahmed going wide left. The Lions’ dominance was, however, unchanged. Timid duly completed his hat trick, taking and receiving a short corner, and driving low past the keeper just on full time.

All in all, a satisfactory first “real” match, with everyone contributing to a comfortable win. Defence was rock solid, with Grant and Olly in total charge in the middle, and Noel as Mr Reliable on the left. O’Keeffe, while still recovering from an injury, showed all his experience in maintaining the defensive rigidity when he came on. Pedro and Ahmed linked the play well, and drove the team forward from midfield, while Hamza and Macca were always available out wide and willing to get into dangerous forward positions when possible.

Up front, Paulo never gave the opposition defence a moment to relax, while Timid dropped off to pick up the ball and run at them with increasing effect.

The wind certainly had an impact, but it would be difficult to argue that the result would have been any different had the Lions been playing into it in the second half.

The one area where the team perhaps needs to concentrate more is taking chances when they occur. Against Beesotted, the Lions always seemed confident that goals would eventually come. Against different opposition, there will be fewer chances, and those that arise need to be tucked away.

However, the Lions are now off and running. Unbeaten in three, and with the leagues about to start – we’re in pretty good shape.