DYNASTY 1 v 5 HONG KONG REDS (I)

10th February 2007, KO 6.30pm, Kowloon Tsai Park, Lok Fu

Team: Lee Beswick, Mike Pot, Russ Green, Keith Jolley, Leo, Dennis Hayworth, Andy Creber, Dave Oh, Ian McAlan, Roger Shuttleworth, Wes Ng, Tony Chan, Duncan Micallef, Anthony, Simon Leung. Late arrival - Juri Kuzma


Match Report by Roger "Greedy" Shuttleworth


Team news

A strong squad blessed with a good mix of youth and experience took to the pitch in what turned out to be a fairly even affair possession-wise but Hong Kong Reds, with the better fire-power, proved far more dangerous and clinical in the last third of the field.



Two minutes into the game Hong Kong Reds were one up courtesy of some good work and pressure from the iconic Dennis. Young, handsome, athletic and with an unnerving ability to run fast, Hong Kong Reds must be wondering how long they can hang on to him.

Ten minutes in and HKR were two up, this time the Dynasty defence undone by a smart one two between Dennis and Shuttleworth, the latter lashing the ball home from twelve yards. With Russ marshalling the defence and his partner Andy mopping up in the air there appeared no way back for Dynasty. So much was HKR’s dominance at this point that McAlan, under no pressure at all, decided to bring some humour to the game by mysteriously trying to control the ball with his face.



With subs aplenty on the bench HKR switched things around and introduced their lethal weapon (Dave) who had an immediate impact on the game (and field) by acrobatically flicking the ball on to Dennis who finished again with cool aplomb. Sadly this was to be Dave’s one and only contribution, having not leapt so high since Stevie G’s thunderous third goal in last year’s FA Cup final.

More pressure from HKR should have brought a fourth just before half-time but AJ incredibly managed to hit the post from four yards after good work from Mike who was stalking up and down the unfamiliar position of left wing like a T-Rex.

The second half started with Dynasty looking more determined and beginning to find a bit more space in the middle of the field. However, another smart interchange between Dennis and Shuttleworth saw the latter rounding the keeper and driving the ball into an empty net.

At this point in the game HKR were a bit lopsided and Juri, having not seen much of the ball, decided to vent some pent up frustration by spasmodically volleying the ball into his own face, a sight no one found funnier than the relieved McAlan who was having something of a Renaissance at right back.

Dynasty then began pushing for a goal but had difficulty in finding a way past Mike who, like Crouchino, has quick feet for a tall lad. When they did break through, the impressive shot-stopper Jolly thwarted everything the Dynasty forwards threw at him. At one point Jolley even managed a Grobbelaar-esque mazy run which saw him glide past two Dynasty forwards and reach the half-way line before coolly laying off the ball.

Dynasty were further caught out by a classic HKR counter-attack which ended in a blatant handball in their own box - penalty.

With two forwards on a hat-trick and another claim being made on behalf of birthday boy Tony Chan, a brief debate ensued about who should take it. However, Shuttleworth, never one for sentiment or tired acts of chivalry, took the ball by the horns and sent the keeper the wrong way. (Any England players reading this should go to YouTube and learn how to score a penalty - thanks Dave for uploading that!)

Dynasty’s never say die attitude paid off when they proved true the old adage "You’re never as vulnerable as when you’ve just scored" by scoring a consolation goal from the ensuing restart.

Final Score 1-5

Moment of the Match
A tough one to call what with McAlan and Juri trying to outdo each other with their Ministry of Silly Manoeuvres but, for sheer surrealism, the accolade goes to Mike who, when going up for a corner, looked like the IFC as a puzzled Dynasty defence grouped around him scratching their heads with looks of sheer bewilderment on their faces.

Everton Wally Wallet Award
Given to McAlan, who took it incredibly well (not), spewing seventy-seven expletives, but at least now has the pleasure of awarding this much coveted prize next game.

Arsenic Award
Goes to Juri for those deadly Slovakian shooters which will surely deter anyone from ever scoring or playing well again.

Man of the Match - Roger Shuttleworth
Another tough call: Russ for a quiet but commanding performance at centre-half; Jolly for at least three excellent saves; Dennis for being fast and good; Dave for...umm...oh yes, that flick; Tony for a dogged performance in midfield; Mike for his quick feet; Andy for winning everything in the air or...Shuttleworth for his hat-trick and the writing of this match report. Simple.

To view more photos of the game click this link - HK Reds v Dynasty (part 1)
Previous match reports
HK Reds v Spartans Vets
HK Supporters’ 6s 2009
HK Reds v USRC
HK Reds KL Tour 2007
HK Reds v Savills (II)
HK Reds v AIG (II)
HK Reds v AIG (I)
HK Reds v Savills (I)
Dynasty v HK Reds (II)
Dynasty v HK Reds (I)
Manarise v HK Reds
Sandy Bay Strollers v HK Reds
Pepsi Shooters vs HK Reds

Want to play for the Hong Kong Reds football team?
11-a-side-team please email: dave@hongkongreds.com


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