Despite the previous morning's deluge the BML resumed with the Red Lions facing Fritz Air, one of last years also-rans but apparently (according to a certain bar-hopping Mexican) strengthened this year.
The pitch was soft, but not at all bad considering the poor weather the preceding week. Despite many absences through injury & general fecklessness, a strong squad of 14 was assembled. Nick Alexander launched proceedings by warning of Fritz Air’s allegedly niggardly tactic’s and instantaneously received some studs in the Achilles from Dan Long who seemed eager to show us all just what niggardly meant. And this was only the warm up!
Captain Chelsea Ian Brown then proved his motivational skills once gain by telling rookie striker Matt Wharton that “with so many people missing there is no-one else left to play there”. Chelsea in consultation with his young protégé, Ken Browne decided to go with a 1-3-4-2 system to start, with Long in the sweeper position. This proved a strategic masterstroke with the extra defender allowing Hobday on the left and Campbell on the right to push up and support the midfield.
This resulted in a torrent of attacks early on, with Wharton proving a useful target upfront, and Alexander, Nield and Tennant prominent in support. In defence, all was secure with Charlie Watson dominating in the air and Long masterfully sweeping up at the back, although Long’s distribution took a while to warm up, slicing his first possession haplessly into the murky river for yet another 3000NT fine! The initial breakthrough came down the left, with Hobday putting Nield into space and the mercurial scouser putting in a teasing cross which the defence could only deflect out to the lurking Alexander on the right. He placed a good cross to the far post and Hobday steamed in and headed beyond the rotund keeper to finish off some great football.
The second was not Long in coming if you forgive the pun, with the aforementioned sweeper seizing on a loose ball and playing a measured pass up the middle for the energetic Fisher to run onto. The Fritz Air goalie hesitated and Fisher got to the ball first to dink it beyond him. 2-0 and all was looking good. The final 20 minutes of the half proved a tad frustrating with Fritz Air putting in more of a rearguard action to temporarily stem the tide. They struggled in attack but did win a couple of corners where they looked dangerous, getting one free shot which luckily went flying over the bar.
Chelsea brought himself on for the exhausted Wharton a couple of minutes before the break and immediately placed a galloping Campbell through with neat pass before being unable to convert the return after an ill-timed bellow from his petulant apprentice Browne, put him off his stride.
Half-time and it was 2-0. The Red Lions had played some very attractive football and started the 2nd half unchanged to try and build on the advantage. The Red Lions started confidently with fluid attacks up both the left and right flanks. Hobday again prominent, chose to run at the defence and was tripped just inside the 18 yard box and the very composed referee pointed straight to the spot.
Chelsea decided to take the penalty and stroked it gently and generously to the goalie’s right giving him a comfortable save. Chelsea then redeemed himself by distributing the ball cleverly to engineer himself an easy chance infront of goal, only to choose to pass. He was eventually instrumental in the third though, dragging a defender out wide and leaving Fisher open on the edge of the box. Campbell delivered an accurate ball to Fishers feet and the confident striker lashed a shot across the goalie and into the opposite corner.3-0
O’Sullivan & Hewitt arrived for Alexander & Long respectively, and the chances started to flow thick and fast. The final two goals were classics. Ken Browne controlled the ball on the edge of the box and thumped a vicious half volley into the top corner to make it 4-0 before Fisher applied the coup de grace by beating the goalie at the near post from what seemed an impossible angle.
Fritz Air did apply some late pressure and Fowler made a good save to keep a clean sheet and a 5-0 scoreline. In truth though the Lions could have had seven or eight by the end and always looked comfortable.
It’s a good thing the Red Lions are in such fine touch, because a titanic battle is looming with arch-rivals the Animals who beat Fritz 5-0 later in the day. With the Animals already having taken points off both Bulian and Fritz, a victory over them on April 18th would be likely to place the Red Lions top. Bring it on!
Before that, the more dedicated members in the squad are heading to Bangkok next weekend for some warm weather training at the 16-team international tournament. It is sure to be a cultural feast with Paddy having already arranged some places of interest to visit (as far as I understand it temples, night markets & cookery demonstrations are all firmly on the agenda) and the annual Songkran festival in full swing. Let’s hope club chairman Tony Hewitt doesn’t find himself doused with iced water too often over the weekend, especially with his well-known fondness for expensive shirts!! Kop un kap!
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