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.