A Tale of Two Keepers

Greenford Celtics 2 - Dutch Lions FC 4

By Peter Clark

The Lions are through to the next round of the Middlesex Cup, with a hard-fought victory of Greenford Celtic Seniors. Despite being from the division below the Lions, Greenford proved to be a decent side, and kept the Lions fully occupied for most of the match.

With Aaron missing for the second week, Pedro again took over in goal, while Hamzeh moved to left back in Noel’s absence. Playing downhill, and with the low sun behind them, the Lions were soon under pressure from Greenford, particularly down the right, where their left winger and left-sided striker were finding time and space to cause all sorts of problems. Pedro had to look sharp on a couple of occasions, coming out smartly to dive at the feet of the opposition strikers, but the pressure eventually told. Another attack ended with a corner being conceded. It was whipped in with pace from the right, and Ahmed, defending the near post, had no option but to try and play it. Unfortunately, it glanced off the top off his head and into the roof of the net. Given the balance of play, it was no more than Greenford deserved.

However, the Lions were now getting more into the game, though without testing the opposition keeper. It was therefore something of a surprise when the equaliser arrived. Hamzeh cleared the ball high from his own half, and with the bright sun being a major factor, the Greenford keeper flapped at the ball and let it bounce into the net. Four goals in 5 games now for Hamzeh - not bad considering he’s been on the bench a few times, and was playing at the back today!

It was a different Lions team which started the second half. Realising they were lucky to be level at that point, they took the game by the scruff of the neck. The midfield started to win tackles, and most of the action was now occurring in the Greenford half. It appeared that this would count for nothing, when, from a long ball out of defence, Hamzeh and Pedro misunderstood each other, allowing a Greenford forward to roll the ball into an empty net from 35 yards.

The equalizer wasn’t long in coming. Niall chased and controlled a long ball out on the right. He held it up long enough to allow Carlos to make ground, and then caressed the ball into his path. Carlos’s finish was precise, side-footing home from 18 yards.

The Lions were in charge now. With Tan Tan on, and immediately causing problems to a tiring Greenford defence, it didn’t look like extra time was going to be needed. Paulo had also dropped back to right midfield, and put a total stop to the attacks down Greenford’s left. Their left winger was lucky to stay on the park after numerous petty incidents, as he let his frustration get on top of him while Paulo simply won every challenge going.

After a series of attacks, the Lions went into the lead for the first time. A foray up the left side looked to be going nowhere, but the ball was won back and played across the box. Niall, again in the right place at the right time, coolly picked his spot and stroked the ball into the corner of the net.

With seconds of the restart, it was 4-2. A through ball should have been easy meat for the keeper, but he let it slip through his legs. Tan Tan, following the ball in like any good striker should, was left with a tap in from a yard. Given the way the game had developed, there was no way back for Greenford, and the match ended with the Lions comfortably in control.

From the way that Greenford played in the first 30 minutes, 4-2 seems an unlikely score, but then again, it’s all about what happens over ninety. Once more, our ability to finish a match more strongly than the opposition meant another win. So far this season, 80% of our goals have been scored in the second half.

Despite a few rocky moments in the first half, the defence again proved solid, with Grant in particular back to his old self, and Hamzeh doing a great job at left back. The two goals conceded today were again not down to the opposition playing magnificent football, and the increased security this season gives solid base to the team.

Ahmed bossed the midfield in the second half, with a major contribution from Paulo, while Carlos was constantly probing. Once again, Tan Tan had a major impact when he came on, and Niall has the look of a striker who will steadily accumulate goals all season.

Finally, special mention to Pedro for another fine stint in goal. But we could do with him back in midfield!