A much improved Hotspurs performance saw us rack up our first points of the season, scoring 4 goals, and bickering less on the field.
The positives: Two superbly crafted goals, and two pieces of opportunism that reflected a pleasing speed of thought. The first half display was full of energy and intent, with some delightful flowing football and good discipline in terms of shape.
The negatives: one sloppy goal conceded, and a tiredness of mind and limb that saw us put under increasing pressure for the last quarter of the game.
With every respect to our opponents, this game should have been wrapped up in the first half, with Hotspurs creating, and spurning, a spate of opportunities in front of goal. As it was, we went in to the break two up, with well taken goals from Ali Roseburgh – the first of which was particularly easy on the eye – involving all of the front three.
A quickly taken free-kick saw us take a 3-0 lead in the second period, after which Olympique came back strongly, and forced us on to the back foot for most of the remainder of the game – deservedly pulling one back, and constantly looking dangerous thereafter.
Performances of note: Barry and Igor at the back were nigh on impenetrable for most of the game; David anchored the midfield with assurance and vision; Richard made a very encouraging debut and has already proved himself to be a good acquisition to the club; Marko was superb in leading the line in the first half, and arguably even better when operating deeper in the second; and Jason was his usual Duracell Bunny self in midfield, stalking anything that moved before eventually hunting it down and making it wish that it had chosen a different way to spend its Saturday afternoon.
Our MOTM though has to go to Ali Roseburgh, for two fine goals and an all-action display that proved a constant menace to the OG defence, and also epitomised a passion for the game that we would all do well to emulate.
OG MOTM: Thierry, who put in a very commendable personal performance.