HotScots 1 - Real Tuesday 4

The Real bounced back from the disappointment of their defeat by FC Farcelona to record a comfortable victory over the HotScots at Fettes.

The first half was fairly scrappy, captain Graeme setting the tone early on by halving pacy HotScot full back Paul Fleming in front of the home bench.

Keeper Dave did well to tip a net-bound shot over the bar midway through the first half, then was forced to adopt an unusual 'arse block' technique to shield the ball from an onrushing HotScot forward. At least, that's what we think he was doing ...

The Real took the lead from a corner, with Darrell nodding the ball into the net from close range after a brief stramash in the home side's box.

Jay then increased our lead with a penalty, awarded after Calder was tripped in the box as he was about to shoot on goal; the HotScots keeper got a hand to the spot kick, but the ball still ended up in the bottom right hand corner of the net.

The HotScots then claimed a penalty of their own, awarded after a shot had hit Sheepy's arm. Dave had no chance with the penalty, struck hard and low to his left.

There was the usual array of half time substitutions from the Real, with Waif replacing Kris on the left wing and John replacing Sheepy at centre half. Kris had previously replaced Yasser, who had asked to be subbed midway through the first half.

The Real began to turn the screw in the second half, with the HotScots struggling to contain Jay's tireless runs and Calder's trickery in and around the box. Our third goal came after good work down the left from Waif, who switched the ball onto his right (and only) foot and swung a cross into the HotScots box; Calder timed his run beautifully and cracked the ball past the stranded keeper on the volley.

Our fourth goal was pretty much a carbon copy of our second, Calder hitting the deck in the box and Jay converting from the spot.

Kris returned to the field midway through the half, replacing the very impressive Jordan at left back. Unlike the Farcelona game, all of the Real substitutions seemed to work well today, while all of those hooked accepted their fate with good grace - nice one, lads!

The HotScots continued to press throughout the half, but lacked the cutting edge needed to break down the dogged Real defence. Dave and Darrell combined to turn a fierce shot from the left away for a corner, while Graeme made good use of his Inspector Gadget legs to hook the ball away from the feet of a HotScot who otherwise only had Dave to beat as he sprinted into the box.

Graeme went on to be the only player dismissed from the field of play, the ref asking him to move to the sidelines after a full and frank exchange of views with the HotScots captain. Graeme had begun their dialogue in the first half by bellowing 'Four - f*ck OFF!', and things had deteriorated from there. Bill accordingly trotted on for a rare cameo, Darrell switching to centre half and Bill slotting in at right back.

The Real continued to create openings after the fourth goal, with Yasser coming close a couple of times and Calder spurning a glorious close range chance after a heavy first touch gave the home keeper time to gather the ball.

All of the Real players put in a good shift.

Jay ran about the park like a man possessed, chasing the (obviously substandard) ball into the corners and continually looking to link up with his team mates. Craig and Mike formed a solid midfield unit, despite (or maybe because of ) the fact that Mr Jack Daniels was sitting on their shoulders throughout the game (as Mike so poetically put it), while Andy and Yasser provided some real pace out wide.

Graeme and Sheepy were as solid as ever at the back, while Jordan and Darrell did well to shackle the pacy HotScots wing men. Dave didn't really put a foot (or hand) wrong all day, commanding his area and handling well - while he spilled the ball a few times, he was always there first to recover it.

Kris, a late addition to the squad, proved to be one of the surprises of the day. Despite being a big lad, he showed a good turn of pace when he replaced Yasser on the wing during the first half, while the goal kicks he took for Dave during the second half could easily have cleared Fettes with a following wind.

John Faulds - determined to make the most of the shiny white boots he'd bought specially that morning - also put in a good shift during the second half, putting some early nerves behind him to make some key blocks and passing the ball calmly out of defence. Waif proved to be a useful utility player once again, loping up and down the left wing with his jersey flapping around his knees as usual.

Bill

---