Goals: Macca, Aidan, Jeff C and Coombs
A brilliant performance by everyone on Friday night totally destroyed USRC and possibly the best game we have had all year. The first half football was truly outstanding and we pretty much followed the same in the second half. USRC chasing shadows for much of the game had no answer to our sublime football on show.
Kickoff and after having travelled from one part of HK to another and back again I finally arrive to the pitch with only minutes to spare. The only causality of the night was Thomas Ma in goals who was stuck at work however Leandro stepped up last minute and had a terrific game mistake free.
Of the back 4 we had Tom R on the right and Sean on the left, Scott and captain Thomas D marshalling the centre.
In midfield we looked strong with Rob and Aidan in the centre and Bruno on the left while Cowley was on the right. Up front Coombs with Macca having his debut game for the Spartans. On the bench chopping on the bit was Nav, Adam and Jeff who was running late.
Kick Off and a terrific start, Macca beating a few defenders and then from a tight angle slams us home a goal up. We continue to play mesmerizing football and after a shot which their keeper fumbles Richie has the whole goal at his mercy from 3 yards out but somehow screws it wide. Probably was harder to miss than to score. Unlike matches gone by we didn’t stop there and continued to press. Aidan then fires a cracking half volley for 25 yards out finding the top corner and giving the keeper no chance 2 nil up after 15 minutes.
USRC had one rare attack and when Greg Turner and Henry Callagher was through on goals Leandro does enough to stops them from scoring what looked a certain goal with some terrific keeping.
At this stage USRC looked a desperate team and when Macca got hacked just outside the box, Jeff stepped up to slam us our third in beautiful fashion.
3-0 up at Half time and really had little to say for once. Other than to keep playing amazing football and try to get the next goal to kill the game off.
We continue to play very good football in the second half from the sideline it was a total pleasure to watch. Macca had a goal disallowed for offside after great first touch was a little unfortunate and look legitimate from the sidelines. Bruno slams the most powerful shot I have ever seen from 25 yards out which hit the post and rebound back to half way line….amazing strike. However it was Matty Coombs who put the game out of reach when he went through on goal and cooly slotted the ball in the back of the net for our fourth.
We had so much control of the game we went 3 at the back for the last 10 minutes and should have really scored more goals. USRC no doubt glad to hear the final whistle.
Performances were brilliant from everyone. Leandro super safe and rock with the gloves. Defenders all played well, Nav and Sean had very good games continuing their form from last week. Thomas D was superb as usual and Tom Rock was directing traffic on the right as well. Scottie for mine was the standout defensively and had a whale of a game winning every header and making timely tackles. Midfield was pure bliss Rob and Aidan pulling the strings while out wide Richie should have scored a hat-trick and Bruno was excellent on the left and very unlucky to not have scored. Upfront Macca looks a good find and hope he stay with us and plays a long career in the Spartans colours as he is a game winner for sure. Coombs had solid game topping off with his usual goal a game while final kudos goes to Jeff C who’s close ball skills and shooting will give USRC defenders many nightmares for the weeks ahead.
MOM was a hard decision, Scottie was just amazing and just got piped by Aidan who in his last game for the Spartans showed on the football pitch just how much we will miss him. A terrific player with some of the best ball skills, hard grafting and quality finishing which the Spartans have not seen for quite some time.
Good Luck in Bangkok Aidan, from all the Spartans.
