Mens G 1 - 1 DBS

Match report

HKFC G vs. DBS 

Sunday, January 31, 2010

            It’s easier than nuclear physics, derivatives and credit default swaps; earning points in division four is about getting a full squad of 16 guys who know what it takes to win. The Skipper and the Vice have used every means at their disposal to encourage the G’s to come out and play. The Enforcer reminding us, “I’ll kick your ass!” and Golden Rod including, “…all you part-timers”; along with the additional shadow of fines hanging over every player like a rain cloud in a typhoon, the G’s once again turned out en-mass.

            As though these games were etched in stone, it started again with the offence and ended with the defense. It was Taylor, after a game of tennis doubles as a warm up, and Kevin, who filled in brilliantly as forwards and mid-fielders, that kept the momentum in our favour despite the 5 penalty corners given up in the first 5 minutes. With enough short and long passes finding their way to The Greek, he tested the DBS keeper on first the left and then the right side, but was stonewalled either direction. With about 10 minutes left in the first, a good pass came through and with the help of the mid-field; The Greek buried the ball in the back of the net. It was a brilliant tic from Balo, tac from Golden Rod and toe to Vincent who tipped it onto The Greek who was standing sinfully all alone facing only a rattled goaltender. Perhaps the entire DBS defense was kept at bay trying to counter Gary, who wreaks havoc whenever he is on the pitch. The Greek, skillfully pulled the ball in and waited for the keeper to make the first move and challenge. With his first step out, The Greek, with marksmen like accuracy, hit the last untested area on the goalie, rolling the ball between his open legs. With a sigh, arms go up and with every forward contributing the G’s kept their game plan alive and were ahead 1-0.

While fighting off the 6^th short corner of the opening half, it was only a matter of time before the dam in the defense cracked slightly. Short corner 7 managed to squeak through a small opening in an otherwise unbreakable defense. The G’s went to the half tied at 1.

            With most players changing regularly and only a few others needing the threat of a kick in the ass to come off, the G’s maintain the pace and finished the half perhaps more ready than ever to face the impending doom of the second half. As the second half started the forwards had a great view of the action while standing at center watching the 8^th, and 9^th penalty corner attempts. While Timo played his best match of the season, filling in for Hobbo on the right and The Enforcer on the left, our 6’, 200lb sweeper played with an ear-to-ear smile knowing he had Katie firmly under his spell. Alastair played like he had nothing to lose, diving and sprawling and saving goals! The last “brick in the wall’ was the Rookie Balo. Being as adaptable as ever and earning his bumps n’ bruises he filled in admirably for the irreplaceable Jonny. With Simon getting his fitness back and repeatedly carrying the ball from one 18 to the other, he single-handedly gave the ‘D’ a deserved rest between the 10^th, 11^th, 12^th and 13^th penalty corners. By the time we got to the last minute of play, and with DBS now on their 14^th and final penalty corner, it was once again all up to our MVP JD. With two players unmarked, both with sticks on the ground, J-D literally flew across the net and somehow still focused on the deflection of the ball to rob DBS of what was an otherwise certain goal.

            The G’s, with the entire defense earning a runners-up MVP, scoop up one more point from the division leaders DBS. Phew, and amen to that!