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.