For the second week in a row USRC smashed their opponents for 6 goals with Forward being on the receiving end this week. A delighted Gunners manager Cairns stated they were “very good” and felt his team could have added more. Racing into a 4-0 lead USRC were very much on the front foot and put the game to bed with some quality strikes with Forward chasing shadows. The second half was a closer affair but with 4 goals shared. Marcello Vistola got his name on the scoreboard again this time notching a hat-trick, Marcus McMillian got a brace while long term servant Jamie Hooper scored one. Despite being 6-0 at one point the Forward lads continued to give it their all and got a couple of consolation strikes via Damian Espejo and Nicolas Crew.
Tropics continued their good start to the season securing their second win in a comfortable game where they saw off Revolution 4-1 at Happy Valley. The early kick off saw the teams play in high temperatures and it was Tropics who were on fire racing into a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes via Tom Portegies and a Nico Staffieri penalty. Revo had a rare sight of goal which they capitalized on to half the deficit via Alessandro Tomella but a composed second half from Tropics saw them notch a third when Kevin Frimpong latched onto a ball over the top to dink it over the keeper and Paul Ryding emphatically headed in from a corner with 15 to go.
You can't ignore Ocean Park for the main entertainment on the South of the island was the 8 goal thriller served up by Corinthians and Mes in the late kick off at Aberdeen Sports Ground. With both teams needing the points Mes started the brighter and scored 3 first half goals with Corinthians somewhat off the pace but they did notch 1 back to make it 3-1 at half time. No doubt a few choice words were spoken at half time in the Cors dressing room and they came out all guns blazing scoring 3 without reply to have a famous come from behind victory over their old rivals. However Mes dug in deep and with 5 minutes to go leveled up the scoring at 4-4….well played both teams. Dan Hackett (2), Reuben Cramer and Jazz Ashbrook for Corinthians with Mes getting the goals via Dan Anderson, Anthony Forsyth (2) and Rahul Dansanhagi.
Wanchai Spartans and DBFC fought out a close game with the result somewhat hinging on a penalty 5 minutes from time. With Spartans leading 2-1 it fell to Kafi Harun, who had scored the earlier DB goal, to slot the penalty home but a good save from the Spartans keeper kept him out and two goals at the death secured a 4-1 win which looks a lot more comfortable on paper than it was during the game. The goals for the Spartans lads coming from Chris Mendez, Chris Balka, Oliver Baijings and Simon Liu.
Vikings continue to trample their way through Division 2 as they saw off BOCs 5-2. A quick raid early on saw them snatch 3 goals before half time as the Danes sought to maintain their 100% start to the season. After an indifferent 2nd half following a few changes and a drop in concentration, BOCs showed their fighting spirit by pulling it back to 4-2 with Peter Tsang and Gavin Chu the grateful recipients of some generous goalkeeping. At the other end their own keeper was having yet another of his inspired performances between the sticks to keep the score down. The regularity of these displays is becoming a real feature this season as the custodian of the BOCs net receives weekly acclaim. Vikings made the points safe with a 5th late on. Soren Kargo shipped the goods with 4 goals whilst Oliver Falkengaard got the other.
In a surprise result, Legals downed Eagles as Head completed a highly impressive 3-0 success over their rhyming rivals. Scottish were top going in to this after a perfect start to the season but had their offside trap breached on two occasions in the first half as LH took control. A further goal was added from a low cross from the left which was turned home making it 3 at the break Eagles improved second half and forced a good save but that was the closest they came as the petulance flowed whilst the chances dried up. On a day where both sides were missing players, Michael Franks gave it some beans as he netted twice with Marcelo Jordao also on target.
San Pells and Bants came in to this one dead level on 6 points from their first 3 games and with both sides fancied for a tilt at promotion, this was always going to be tight. Pells were silenced by the (Jack) Lam as Bants managed to edge in front through a well taken free-kick. This was only to prove momentary though as Dudson Yip and Austin Tenny turned the game around for a hard fought 2-1 success. Tough to swallow for Bants who may feel they were worthy of a point here but ultimately they slip to their second defeat of the season.
Irish Harps vs Krauts had the potential to be a feisty encounter as both have a few big lads who like to get stuck in. Harps settled the better of the two sides as they moved in to a 2 goal lead but a solid determination helped Krauts hit back to draw level. The Irish got their noses in front again at 3-2 and may have thought they had won it but were dealt a Knief through the Harp as a late set piece resulted in Krauts, Jorrit Knief levelling it up. Irish goals from Ronan O’Doyle (2) and Dave Byrne. Krauts other goals from Nick Gerigk, Sascha Coehrs, Jorrit Knief.
Wolves had beaten Krauts the week before and were hoping to build on that triumph as they faced MBFC and they duly dispatched their opponents here as they cruised to a 4-0 mauling. Despite only being 1 up at the interval, the Wolves were always in control and happy to lie in wait for the chance to pounce. These subsequently came during a frantic 15 minute spell in which a further 3 goals were clinically added on the counter attack. MBFC paying the price for failing to communicate as Wolves ran rampant. Chris Jim, Ronnie Ho, Aaron Ko and Henry Li keeping manager Hao happy by not only finding the target but also ensuring the cost of printing names on the back on the shirt is low.
Dragon Valley and Old Speckled Men both finished in the top half last season but the opening to this year has been a bit more of a struggle as they went into this game locked level on 3 points. In a topsy-turvy game with plenty of action, DV edged in front when Chris Facey prodded home a near post corner. Dave Reid doubled the lead as he finished smartly from a cut back before Ben Wiggins scored a bullet header for OSM to reduce the arrears. The pendulum swung back towards the Dragons again as Jordan Jackson found the top corner to make it 3-1. OSM kept the contest alive as James Chambers finished well although the final blow was dealt by Max Remington benefiting from some late pinball to seal a 4-2 win. The officials in Legal League take a lot of abuse (mainly warranted) but the shocking site of a linesman getting tripped up by an unrepentant and brutal single blade of 4G (all captured by DVs ‘Sauron’s eye’ watchful gaze) is one for the disciplinary committee to watch over and over again.
Shooters were looking to pick up their first points of the season and fancied breaking their duck against an inconsistent Young Guns. It was attack versus defence in the first half as Kuramae gave Shooters a well-deserved lead but they were pegged back in the second period with Albert Tong converting a penalty to level things up. In an open game, either side could have nicked it but ultimately a point seemed fair as the spoils were shared.
On to Monday and a clash between two sides with completely different form in the early part of the season. Samurai Blue were looking to make it 4 wins from 4 having been hugely impressive thus far whilst KCC Royals had lost their 3 opening games. On paper there should be only one result but on fake grass the form book was thrown out of the Kings Park changing room window as Royals eased in to a 2-0 lead at the break after defensive errors cost SB. A chance to reset and a new found set of belief worked wonders though as Samurai hit back to draw level after only 10 mins of the second period. It looked like the comeback was complete as a swift counter attack was finished well with 15 minutes left on the clock but a further defensive mix up resulted in an equalizer for KCC late on and 3-3 it finished. The result meaning it is now only Vikings who can boast a 100% record. SB scorers: Ahmed Jemli, Limbu Rishi Hang and Manji Peter Kassam; Royals goals from Luca Merlone (2) and Steve Hamill
KCC Cavs joined Sam Blue on 10 points as they turned on the style against Shui Wei. Cavs had Ho’s in all different area codes as their fluid movement was ludicrous with Gabriel Ho and namesake Michael both getting on the score-sheet. Nicholas Benavides (2), Joaquin Cadenas and Stefan Antonic added further gloss making the late night trip back to Shenzhen a fully miserable one for Shui Wei.
