First and foremost, this was a cracking game played between two attacking teams (as the scoreline may suggest) in a great spirit, and invoking the best traditions of the Cosmoleague.
The pendulum swung in several varying directions (which is unusual for a pendulum) and eventually ended up in Hotspurs’ favour, although had the 8 goals been shared in different proportions, no one would have complained.
Having taken the lead on the break, with a well taken goal by Henry (set up by Esad), Hotspurs were pegged back within a minute by a lightning Hibs attack, and a group of players still congratulating themselves on the goal scored
Hotspurs then went behind to a superb Hibs goal, fashioned down the left, great cross in, “on me ‘ead son”, good finish.
Fortunately, we managed to pull back the deficit before the break (another Esad assist, Nick the Greek III with an expert conversion), and at 2-2, the game was beautifully poised at half-time.
In the second period, Hotspurs (with a little reshuffling) made the possession statistics tell, and scored two more (both Esad assists – one thumped in by Nick III, and the other followed in by the ebullient, effervescent, and slightly snotty Aaron ((who’s been on his death bed all week, allegedly, and had only made the game courtesy of vast quantities of Night Nurse – good job there was no drug testing after the game))).
Hibs then countered, with a counter, and we were at 4-3 with minutes remaining. Fortunately, those minutes were aplenty, and gave enough time for Jamie to collapse dramatically (and convincingly, apparently) just outside the box, and Ali R to do a better than average impersonation of Andrea Pirlo, and curl in a superb free-kick off the inside of the post (because had it hit the outside, it wouldn’t have gone in).
That was the end of the scoring, but not through lack of effort on the Hibs part, as they laid siege to our goal, and caused rumblings in the Hotspurs back line – but that may have been wind.
A 5-3 win in the end for the Hotspurs, was probably a fair result based on possession, and the number of chances created, but Hibs played their part in a terrific game of football that ebbed and flowed like a tide during a full moon.
Interestingly, Hotspurs have had drastically reduced numbers in the last two games, but have managed to eke out two decent wins. Somehow, adversity seems to have brought the best out of a group of players who know they’re going to get a decent run, and also know that the players playing alongside them will be there for much of the duration. It begs the question of what could have been achieved this season with a consistent squad.
Man of the Match goes to Jonathan, for stepping into the breach at centre-back, and doing a magnificent job – very little got passed him, and his positional sense, and reading of the game was exceptionally good.
Honourable mentions go to Nick III for his brace, and Ali R for his full-bloodied efforts and superb goal, and Esad for no less than 4 assists (and it’s not often that anyone can write that).
David Horsburgh returned to the Hotspurs’ fold for the first time in 4 years and did a sterling job; Ivan also made a rare appearance and was excellent; while Jamie at right back was a constant menace…in so many ways. Kudos to Tony too for a couple of fine saves, and bravery above and beyond the call of occasional duty.
Credit too for Nick D, playing out of position and organising the defence, and Aaron for playing so well under the weather. Henry also gets a mention. Great first goal, and tireless participation – one would almost venture to suggest that he enjoyed it.
Thanks as ever to the Hibs for a sporting contest and a very competitive game. There are several ties between the two teams, and that was made clear in the way the game was played. Firm, but fair.