 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| Hong Kong Reds 10 v 2 Arsenal HK Supporters Club Monday 24th October 2011 Team: Tom Ma (gk), Ian Agass (capt), Stephen Cairns, Richie Mckeown, Arno Wiedijk, Darryl Chow, Jason Li, Adrian So, Jack Benson, Seb D’Aulerio, Ralph Turner, Steven Williams, Christian Ward, Dave Oh (player coach) Goals: Ian Agass (2), Stephen Cairns (3), Arno (1), Seb (2), Richie Mckeown (1), Dave Oh (1) The question was can the Hong Kong Reds remain undefeated again? The opposition this time was Arsenal HK Supporters Club. Assistant player coach Si Forder was under orders to stay indoors…by his pregnant missus! (also known as under the thumb). There was added pressure now on player coach Dave Oh not to lose. There was a debuts for Jack Benson, a local lad from Liverpool and Steven Williams – both impressed on their first starts. A strong team on paper again although Arsenal were without a couple of their regulars, but this was a night that belonged to HK Reds. Before kick-off, Jack Benson shouted ‘Cmon Liverpool’ in that scouse accent! As usual Dave Oh’s team talk was short and to the point, Ian Agass actually turned up to Jase Li’s disbelief – Ian was handed the captain’s armband. The HK Reds started promisingly with some nice neat touches with some good passing and movement! It wasn’t long before the opening goal arrived and it came down the left wing from Stephen Cairns…wonderful cross in and Agass firmly planted header into the corner. 1-0. 1-0 became 2-0…a throw on the right was flicked on and Stephen Cairns lobs the keeper. It was now a question of how many HK Reds would rack up! The defence comprised of Jack Benson (lb), Steven Williams (cb), Darryl (cb) and Richie (rb) were solid and Arsenal resorted to hoofing it up - not the Arsenal way but out of nothing a shot came in from the right from 30 yards and Tom Ma was left grasping in the air. 2-1. Arsenal were now back in the game! Was it sloppy defending? Too slow to close down? I think the wake-up call had an effect….again Agass breaking at speed down the right and cut the ball back to Stephen Cairns to sidefoot home. 3-1. There were lots of good performances from everyone especially Jack Benson who seemingly fitted in so well at left back. His energetic runs up and down made the team balanced. The fourth goal was a combination of failed clearances and Arno laid the ball off to Arno who curled a left foot shot into the corner. Stephen Cairns had come back into the side after 2 years away – Much was made of Scotty Hooper’s absence through a spare rib injury in centre midfield but it seemed we did not miss him. Half time: 4-1. Dave Oh’s team talk would pretty easy and he even had time to call Si Forder who on speaker phone to let him know the score. I don’t think anyone was thinking the HK Reds would get 10 goals but they did! Need to mention Darryl who again was immense at the back! Seb, Christian, Ralph, Adrian, Richie all played their part in some great team goals. The 5th goal arrived soon after this time neat play from Christian Ward and a perfect cross for Agass and his second of the game – his hatrick beckons! Jase Li was being a busy bee in breaking up the play all over the pitch! A tactical switch by Dave Oh switching Richie on the right wing and he scored from just outside the penalty area into the corner. 6-1. A breakaway from Arsenal, one of the few times the Reds got caught out made it 6-2. As usual Agass was a constant pain to the referee..moaning at this and that…thankfully the ref doesn’t understand Agass’s English! The 7th goal arrived and Seb playing in centre mid now blasted a right foot shot into the roof of the net after 1-2 with the Arsenal defence. The 8th goal came courtesy after deflection but Seb didn’t care – now he was also on a hatrick! Dave Oh came on for the last 20 and the Arsenal lads were tiring and demoralized – to cap off a great night Stephen Cairns crossed an accurate ball and he scored with a diving header. 9-1. Could HK Reds make it 10 goals? YES. Darryl making a forging run into the box was brought down and Stephen Cairns put the penalty away for his hatrick. 10-2 Full time. Man of the match There were so many outstanding performances on the pitch and lots of team goals. This award goes to Stephen Cairns who was instrumental in pulling the strings in midfield and the scorer of a hatrick. Next up South China Supporters Club. |
Previous match reports |
