By London Falcons manager Craig Randall
London Falcons 2 Edinburg Hotscots 1
Fitlads Cup, 1st Leg • Sunday, 9th March, 2008 • Old Deer Park

The first leg of the Fitlads cup, a game dubbed as England vs Scotland got off to a close start. The Falcons dominated from start to finish in terms of possession and play but the Scots were firm and defended brilliantly. Scots being a new team have organised themselves really well and deserve high credit for that.

As manager I was looking for a composed performance from my boys and I got it. We had a good game, passing well, moving well and overall did everything but put away the chances we created. I thought Kevin Latham had a real good game working hard down the left wing, with Chris Maughan as full back. I also saw real promise in the partnership of Kehoe and Cowell in the middle and one for the future. Walton and Okaro at the back were sound as well. In a game that relies a lot on partnership across the park we are getting that right.

The game went as expected, very passionate rivalry from the start.

The scots had the first real good chance in the first half when a mistake at the back let them in on goal and with the net gapping we somehow managed to get it away.

There was some controversy over our goal apparently (I didn't see it as my back was turned) but a fierce shot by Kehoe was pushed away and the proceeding play led to Chav bundling the ball over the line for our first goal. Something about offside but whatever!!! ;OP
Tony 'Chav' Kerr actually worked extremely hard up front and did a good job. He's a real threat and can give players around him the right ball to cause a threat. A good team player and someone deserving praise.

The Scots hit back early in the second half with a well taken goal (and some very enthusiastic celebration by the Scots keeper) but Falcons stayed to the game plan and just carried on as they were and that was a very positive sign. Too often you see teams panic and start to lump the ball forward but we didn't and we kept our nerve which led to James Edeki scoring a terrific long range effort after some lovely play by the Falcons to put us in the driving seat for the second leg.

I was impressed with Sam Elliott when he came on in the second half, his movement and passing with Latham really worked a treat and gives me plenty of options to think about.
I also thought Lewis Marshall played a good game when he came on. His positioning was good and made some dangerous runs.

In what served as our preparation game when we face GFC Bournemouth and Yorkshire Terriers, I am feeling confident we can learn from this game and put it to good use.
I thought man of the match went to Kevin Latham for his hard working and good performance.

Again, a well done must go to Hotscots for coming to London, enjoying a night out with our lads and the next day playing a terrific game of football. Hope you gents had a safe journey home and we look forward to the second leg in April.

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