In the days building up to this contest, SiHK FC were repeatedly hit by blow after blow: GDG who has been missing, from both the field in his capacity as midfield general and the touchline as manager, (some feel his absence from the latter was warranted after poor performances during his tenure) due to injury to his toe, managed to recover… only to injure his back whilst playing for another team – surely bringing into question his priorities. Linesmann had a nasty accident (get well soon) and will also be out for an extended period, others had commitments away from the pitch and even away from Hong Kong and so SiHK FC were restricted on their unlucky pitch with the bare minimum necessary to compete.
Come matchday, as caretaker managing duo DannyBoy and Number 10 discussed tactics, disaster struck! Hairy and Chris pulled out at VERY late notice, leaving the managers carefully conceived strategies a complete shambles and furthermore SiHK FC lacking a goalkeeper! Nevertheless with a mere 7 players SiHK FC doggedly went forth to do battle.
With the help of a roped in passer-by who was playing keepy-uppys, SiHK FC lined up in a 2-1-2-1 formation of sorts, with Craig who was warming up.. also warming the bench. Starting on the field was the luckless roped-in-ringer Ricky (fortuitously named to allow the alliteration) in goal, with a defence of Spur’don and Sam (pilfered from the Soldiers, and thank god for that), Edman who was providing cover as defensive midfield, DannyBoy and Number 10 on the wings and James upfront.
To say SiHK FC started badly would not be fair, as once more it was a new line-up and they were forced to become accustomed to playing together, whilst the Soldiers gelled like a team that plays regularly is apt to do. To say that DannyBoy started badly would also not be fair. He was atrocious. After giving Craig sufficient time to warm up, the tactical genius that is the co-caretaker manager, Danny Boy substituted the football genius (in the Steffan Freund/Gary Doherty sense) that is Danny Boy from the field and SiHK FC began playing better. Craig with his languid style, reminiscent of Anderton in his prime (on the days when he wasn’t injured….. he wasn’t sometimes honestly) was playing some nice stuff and linking up well with James and Number 10. Unfortunately Ricky and the defense were having a tough time and SiHK FC were soon several goals behind.
The Soldiers movement upfront was really causing trouble for SiHK FC, in particular from the wide positions where they were pulling lilywhite players from the center and allowing their tricky forwards to exploit the space that was created. Number 10 sensibly instructed SIHK to pack the middle and The Soldiers were instantly more stifled as their playmakers struggled to a larger extent to find free players to release in the now restricted space available to them.
Despite this SiHK FC were still a number of goals down and were having trouble hitting the target, James, Number 10 and Craig all went close but to no avail. The normally so prolific James in particular was having a poor game in front of goal and clearly had his mind on THFC’s troubles. Craig, as mentioned, was having a good game often having to plow a lone furrow upfield as SiHK FC often mounted a desperate back-to-the-wall defence. One Craig highlight in particular was an exquisite, Berbatovesque (2006-2007 version) piece of a skill, in which he controlled the ball, flicked it over the oncoming defender and then forced an excellent save from the Soldiers goalkeeper. So outstanding was the move, that even the opposing team stopped to applaud him. Another player who was playing above and beyond the call of duty (and considering the restrictions enforced due to poor turn-out, each player should be lauded) was Spur’don. With a bad ankle and barely being able to see his own team mates let alone the ball, he strived manfully upfield with the ball at his feet, (doubtless BennyCat would write something about “semis” here but this is a higher class of match reporting) and bundled it through to Craig on sheer grit and guts alone. Craig pounced on the chance and nicked the ball past the goalkeeper! Get in! Despite the lopsided scoreline, SiHK FC were elated with the moral boost and visibly perked up (now now Benny).
What followed a goal of pure determination was one of sublime skill. DannyBoy who had managed to recover from his early game jitters (alright I was shit at the start) got the ball out wide and curled in a outswinging ball that found the head of Craig. With a good header Craig deflected the ball to Number 10 who took a touch to evade the oncoming defender and then with his left (weaker) foot sent an absolute BELTER of a shot screaming into the keepers top left hand corner! EAT MY GOAL! And when I say top corner I really mean the absolute sweet spot just where post and crossbar meet. It really was the perfect strike. Number 10 has been threatening to score one of those in every game so far and finally (finally!) made it count. Things got even better for SiHK FC’s second highest scorer as a large punt up field evaded everyone but the salmonesque leap of Number 10 who guided a header over the goalie to get his second and SiHK third! If anything Number 10 was even happier with his second goal and wheeled around the touchline in celebration. I’m just guessing he doesn’t score many headers. Probably.
The final score was a convincing win for The Soldiers but it was a fine spirited performance by a severely under strength SiHK FC team and the game was played with the right attitude and was enjoyable for all involved. Hopefully the next contest will work out better with regards injuries and withdrawals and SiHK FC can finally get a win on this pitch that has so conspired against them…Nevertheless as always the SIHKFC go marching on….
