This was a very disappointing day. With originally 16 confirmed for Sunday, the squad was whittled down to the bare eleven with a combination of no shows and injuries sustained the day before. So as ever well laid pre-match plans were disrupted.  The starting line-up included Sanj in goals with Tom, Briggs, Thomie and Leandro in the back. Dave and Rick Man in the centre with Lionel and Nick L on the flanks. Cowley and Andy H up front.

Boca took an early lead in the game, when their striker was left unmarked from a free kick to header powerfully past a stranded Sanju. This kicked us into action and for the remainder of the half we played the better football, albeit not really testing their keeper.

1nil win, lost Forlan with broken foot.

who scored?

Goals: Danny & Nick W.

A weary return to action yesterday after the Christmas break. Although we dominated for large periods in this match, the Hearts defense were quite resolute and prevented many opportunities. The goals came in the first half with Danny latching onto a rebound in the Hearts box. The only other goal came from a sweetly struck effort from Nick W.

A solid result by everyone and with French Kiss losing yesterday the battle for promotion is getting very tight with five teams in with a shout for promotion (including Spartans).

Goals: Jens, Matt, Joe and Stef

Perfect footballing conditions at noon in King’s Park. After two tough games it was nice to get back to winning ways.

We started off with a very strong team, which considering many folks were away, was a bonus. Sanju started in goal, with Tom, Scottie and Thomie forming a back 3. We had a midfield diamond of Stef, Henry, Jens and Lionel, with Matt and Joe on the flanks. Nick was the out and out striker. We started off brightly, with the extra man in midfield being the difference. White Youth were holding firm for 10 minutes, but we were awarded a penalty, when Jens jinked his way into the box and was tripped. Jens took responsibility and slotted the ball home. At this stage we were all over White Youth and more goals would surely come….and they did. Jens again was at the heart of most attacks.

match report below & video higlights on youtube http://youtu.be/U6ME5kIQDac
 
 
 
Saturday night under the lights at Happy Valley was the venue for an interesting encounter to see if Soho could continue the push up the league. The opposition were above us in the table and the omens were not good given a wide array of hangovers from the night before, several players with very little warm up; not to mention a lunar eclipse. Hence we decide to start in a defensive 4-5-1 formation that had served us well from the weekend before where we got two wins. The starting line up is as follows:
 

Sanju Man to Man (G)
 Stef I Only Had a Few (LB)
 Dan Get Some (RB)
 Leandro Steak (CB)
 Colin Deep Fried Mars Bar (CB)
 Willie Ironbrew (LM)
 Aidan Artful Dodger (CM)
 Tom The Team First (CM)
 Adam Clarke Kent(CM)
 Nick Lights Out (RM)
 Kung Fu Pat (F)
 
Subs: Cowley Hobbit, Chi Haggis, Dave Ta Chinese Beckham, Rick Man Jerry Maguire
 
After 2 minutes Mansfield (cough) gets a chest on target for our first chance. They break free soon after and Tom makes a tackle in box to break up a dangerous move from the opposition. Colin then hits an outstanding free kick which is saved. Then some bad news as Leandro pulls a hamstring after an awkward landing. He comes off for Chi who goes into midfield. Tom then helps the gaffer out by going to right back. Sanju pulls off a great save and then Aidan has a cross which is saved at the other end.
 To finish off the half Pat has a moment great skill when he controls a long ball and lays it off to Nick on the right like a Berbatov of old (at Spurs when he was good).
 
The First Half was a scrappy affair and the ball was pinging around everywhere. However, we held on against a good team and we are felling that we can nick a goal in the second half to win the game as the opposition tire out. Dave comes on the right for Lights Out.
 
SECOND HALF
 Sanju (Man to man) makes three excellent saves in quick succession. This looks like it going to be a tough half before they make it tougher with a header and its 1 - 0 to them. We thought we'd get back into in when Stef (fresh from the night before) takes a brilliant free kick which is tipped over. The keeper is flattened in the process and needs treatment which wastes valuable time. Then a mix up with Sanju, its 2 - 0 we have a mountain to climb. Rick Man on for Chi and Cowley on for Pat. Willie gets a chance and shoots over. Cowley then breaks free and hits the post. Cowley gets another effort in and Willie misses another. In five minutes we should have been back in the game but we are still 2 - 0 down. Stef then puts in another free kick and Dan has a header which goes wide. Aidan shoots over and Willie misses again. Really disappointing not to get anything out of the game but they edged it to be fair. We played some good football in the second half and will put other teams away with ease.
 
Notable performances: Sanju, Cowley, Aidan.
 
Man of the match : Colin excellent all round game defending, passing and free kicks.
 
Mug of the day : Willie for some misses. Better luck next time.
 
Thanks for everyone who came to the game and the ten or so who went to the pub after.
 
Merry Christmas, see you all soon for beers
 
Strength & Honour