SIHK 1 Merseysiders 2

In North London this week, it was all change as Tottenham took their first timid steps forward in the Ramos era. Across the other side of the globe, another manager was staking his own claim in his debut as a master tactician. Benched by a gruesome injury inflicted by an overzealous rucking Frenchman, our very own Number 10 took hold of the managerial reins in an attempt to steer us onwards and upwards. He inherited a squad short on players due to other injuries but high on spirit.

It was clear that the Merseysiders (sans moustaches and hubcaps, sadly) meant business. They had their own red Umbro kits with squad numbers and their own manager drew wild zig-zags on a Chris Hughton type clipboard. Plus they were on home territory. It looked bleak. It was beyond hopeless. Then Number 10 roused the troops as if they were about to be thrust into the Battle of Agincourt and away they went, arms flailing, teeth gnashing, horns sounding.

SiHKFC lined up in a standard 4-4-2 formation with the attack spearheaded by the ebullient James and the ever-foraging Craig. The spine of the team was bolstered by the addition of Sam and Alan, who had in previous times tormented SiHKFC constantly in their usual roles as Sam’s Soldiers. At the back, Savio formed a formidable barrier and seemed almost Dawson-esque in his indecent haste to thump away any errant balls with his booming head.

With Craig’s velcro chest and superglue boots helping SiHKFC to keep possession, we shaded the earlier part of play and took a deserved lead midway through the first half. Craig shifted the ball and struck a sweet ‘n’ low daisy-cutter from the edge of the box that left their keeper with no chance. However, it was not long before the Merseysiders equalised, with a toe-poke past the keeper. HT 1-1.

The second half was - “attritional” - to use the David Pleat term. As players wilted in the searing saharan-plus heat, Number 10 prowled the touchline with menace, ruthlessly rolling subs on and off to keep the team as vibrant as he could. The omnipotent Sam put in a remarkable shift, especially after being asked to move back into the centre of defence to help out the flagging rearguard. Unfortunately, the makeshift defence was unable to hold out and, on the counter-attack, the Merseysiders hooked a shot past the unlucky Vishal in goal.

Spurs dominated possession and chances thereafter, and worked a few good opportunities which ended with the bar and crossbar being shaved more times than a Las Vegas exotic dancer’s crotch. Ultimately, like their North London compatriots for much of this season, they ended up disappointed as time played out. However, the lads can once again be proud of a great effort which saw a makeshift team play effectively and cohesively; we may consider ourselves unlucky not to have ended up with at least a draw for our troubles.

Special thanks to Number 10 for all his technical area gesticulations and James for his organisational skills in putting together a rare “away” fixture.

We now look forward to our next fixture and another chance to shake out those cobwebs, in our bid to become the most feared supporters’ club in the land.

- ETP