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)