The HK Government’s very hot weather warning was in force and the Happy Valley Cauldron exacerbated the situation. Fortunately, both teams had lots of players, foreseeing that many substitutions would have to be made during the game. Both teams brought down a decent number of supporters so there was an uplifting buzz around the pitch as well as cooler boxes full of drink in anticipation of celebration. Obviously one of the teams' beers would taste sweeter than the others at the end of what was setting up to be a classic encounter.
The teams and the referees had arranged to get to the pitch early to utilise the allocated 30 minute pitch maintenance time between 2:30 and 3:00 pm to get a 15 minute jump on the scheduled match kick-off time to ensure there was no problems if the match went to extra-time and penalties. However, it was one of the referees that put this plan to the test by being late to arrive. In stepped Gary Panions (ref for the day) to sort it out with team managers and captains; 40 minutes each way then straight to penalties was agreed and also, very sensibly, a water break half way through each half was agreed.
It was DBFC that took the upper hand straight from kick-off, closing down quickly when RBFC had possession and fast passing when they had the ball to pressure the RBFC defenders. Within the first 5 minutes this pressure led to a RBFC defender coming in to the back of Zol to give away a soft free kick just outside the left corner of their 18 yard box and JB stepped up to fire a curling free kick towards the centre of the RBFC goal. The RBFC keeper’s first touch of the game saw the ball goal through his hands: granted the ball was fired in at pace just under the cross bar and his sight line was blocked by the many players in the box, but still RBFC and their keeper were cursing their luck at such a bad start to the game.
DBFC did not let up and kept the RBFC defence under pressure, creating a number of chances to stretch the lead. RBFC were restricted to punting the ball up field for their strikers to chase but the DBFC back line was firm and first to the ball. It wasn’t long for DBFC’s second goal. A passage of play through midfield that worked from the right to the left to slip through JB to run onto the RBFC goal at a narrow angle and scream a thunderous shot over the RBFC keeper’s head into the roof of the net.
RBFC tried to get back into the game and had some periods of pressure in the DBFC box from corners and free-kicks and could have been luckier with balls bouncing free in and around the DBFC penalty area. However, some last minute blocks and defending and some bravery from the DBFC keeper kept RBFC out. DBFC always looked threatening when attacking and it was an incident off the ball that got DBFC their third goal. A passage of play came to an advance DBFC’s right-back in an advanced position and he that floated in a long cross towards the RBFC far post and but before the ball had dropped anywhere near, the referee blow the whistle and pointed to the penalty spot. Zol had been positioning himself ready to launch for a header when the RBFC defender made a two hand push in his back right in the line of sight of the referee. The reason for the penalty was not apparent for many who were out of view but the referee was unwavering in his decision having had the clearest line of sight. A soft penalty to give away that JB slotted home to claim his hat-trick.
DBFC went in 3-0 at half time and although RBFC put up a better fight in the second half they couldn’t break down the DBFC defence and couldn’t stop JB running the ball down the left wing to play in Zol to slot home DBFC’s fourth goal.
The pace of the game slowed in the second half of the second half despite DBFC making seven outfield player substitutions and RBFC making many of their own. The game was played with tremendous spirit and commitment from both sides but it was DBFC’s day to have the luck to take the upper hand and not let go. It was one of the losing team’s management that magnanimously and graciously presented the cup to the wining team’s Captain.
DBFC Celebrating Cup win at the pier.
Manager Gazza holding up the Cup.
In the Plate Final 2nd division champions HK Scottish Stags recorded another double with hard fought 1-0 win over Young Guns. The game was marred by torrential rain in the second half making the surface almost unplayable. Young Guns didn’t make it easy but the second half was horrible with the rain....so there wasn’t much football played a delighted Stag manager Daniel Pico mentioned after the match.
Click below to watch video of the game....
Stags went up early curtsey of top marksman Myles Winter strike. Young Guns manager Brian Wong was a dejected man after the match. The pitch condition was horrific in the second half he cried. Neither team could played football as they would have hoped he said in the changing rooms. Wish the game could have played under better circumstances said frustrated Wong who lamentated what could have been if the gods had not opened up so badly.
