HKFC Albion

*Match report GW21*
Sunday 26 June, 2022
Yauyee Div 1

*Albion - 4* (Oliver Baijings 2, Remi Dujardin, Craig Tuckerman)
*Azzuri* - 2

Albion battled to a convincing 4-2 victory after going down 2-0 to come back and take all 3 points and celebrate being presented with the league title won last week against Squadron.

Another backs to the wall performance with a depleted squad meant debuts for Carlos Comes and JJ Shonde this season.

Albion started with regular shot stopper Liam in central midfeild and the makeshift setup was up against a fired up Azzuri team and the elements with the Hong Kong Summer beating down in a brutally hot afternoon.

The game started at a frenetic pace which lasted the first 10 minutes before the weather started to seriously test the players. Unfortunately some uncharacteristic errors crept in and Albion went 2-0 down with Azzuri seemingly in control.

Coach Nick shuffled his pack moving Remi into midfeild which immediately brought results, with Albion turning the game on its head. A headed finish from Oliver to cap off a brace and a wonderful strike from Remi to smash home the advantage meant Albion were up 3-2 at the break.

The game continued to be a sweltering battle with water breaks at 20 minutes. Standout performances from the fullbacks Amro and Quinn with Amro sliding into centre half with ease.

Adrian and Remi controlled the game beautifully.

Albion were dominating and Azzuri heads were going, a fourth goal to substitute Tucks, heading home a delightful cross from Adi that had three Albion players queuing to tuck away effectively ended the resistance from Azzuri and Albion cruised through the final 20 minutes with minds on rehydrating and the trophy celebrations.

Great performance from the squad with one game remaining the carrot of an invincibles tag stayed alive.

*Match report GW20*
Sunday 19 June 2022
Yauyee Div 1

*Albion - 2 *(Hampshire *2)
*Squadron - 0*

On a swelteringly hot day, Club Albion welcomed Squadron down to Sports Road with hopes of clinching a second consecutive league title.

Squadron came into the game as the only team to defeat Albion in 50+ games when they lay down the sword in a 3-2 humdinger at the end of the 2020/21 season at Kings Park. After finishing the COVID half season bottom with zero wins, they have recruited admirably, blending the finesse of their Japanese personnel with the combative style of their African brethren. With so much at stake, the game promised much but against the backdrop of a bandaged up Sportsman’s bar, it was heavy on effort but lacking in quality.

Squadron were by far the brighter in the early exchanges, with Squadron’s Nakao orchestrating numerous attacks with his wand of a left foot. Right winger, Taka, spurned a couple of chances after ghosting in behind the Albion backline with other chances blocked by the despairing dives of Remi Dujardin and Ash P**n. Breathing a sigh of relief, Albion set about regaining some control in the game, throwing some solid jabs via the head of Hampshire without landing a knockout punch. All in all, Albion were thankful to go in at the break all square.

The second half started as the first finished with both teams jousting for midfield supremacy and a foothold in the game. Albion were starting to find cohesion and finally broke the deadlock through Hampshire on 55 mins. A second controlled finish followed shortly after, and with it, there were hopes that the Squadron side would throw in the towel and ease into full time. Quite the contrary, Squadron continued to fight and battle despite lacking potency up front. The final nail was struck when the Squadron left back, a tough customer all game, killed off his side’s chances by earning a needless second yellow.

As has been the case for much of the season, Albion exerted confidence and authority in closing the game out. They popped the champagne in front of a makeshift Sportsman’s bar tent, perhaps a fitting image for what has been an unusual and mentally taxing title race.

With a slew of players heading to the boarding gate, Albion stand two games away from earning the tag of “Invincibles” and a place in the coveted Yau Yee history books.

*Match report GW19*
Tuesday 14 June 2022
Yauyee Div 1

*Albion - 2 *(Keefe, Worth)
*Wanderers - 0*

In footballing circles, it’s often asked, “Can you do it on a cold, wet, windy Tuesday night in Stoke?”

Club Albion answered a resounding yes to the wet and Tuesday night bit as they extended their unbeaten league run against title challengers, Club Wanderers.

The evening began with torrential rain and some question marks over whether the game would go ahead at all. In the end, Albion were not to be denied the opportunity to take 3 points despite a promising start from Wanderers. Albion were comfortable in possession but Wanderers pressed well and limited the Albion to half chances. In fact, it was Wanderers, via a trademark Campo free kick who came closest with his effort from wide of the penalty box glancing the post.

Albion grew further into the game, controlling play through Brion and Worth in central midfield. With Hampshire linking play, the hard working Keefe and tricky Depalmas began to cause issues down the Wanderers right channel. It was to be P**n, a defensive rock for Albion since the restart, who whipped a delightful ball into the box where Keefe was waiting to get a combination of head, nose and chin to help divert the ball past a stranded Romain. And that was half time.

The second half had barely begun before the perennially ill-disciplined Yee picked up a yellow card, much to his equally predictable consternation. Albion exerted control with a formidable back line enabling the team to press and probe in search of a decisive second. Cyril pulled off a cracking save to keep the Albion 1 up as the Wanderers carved out a half chance of their own. With 20 mins to go, Worth whipped in an in-swinging corner which flew past Romain’s despairing double handed flap to nestle inside the back post.

Wanderers continued to ask questions but the Albion held firm and saw the game out with a confidence and swagger that was befitting of their title aspirations.

*Match report GW18*
Sunday 12th June, 2022
Yauyee Div 1

*Albion - 2 *(Hampshire 2)
*Colts - 1*

Albion made it 6 wins from 6 since the break as a Hampshire brace saw off Colts.

In a potentially crucial week, Albion absolutely flew out of the traps in the first 20 minutes; their pressing and intensity proving too much for Colts as they won possession in dangerous areas on numerous occasions.

From one such moment, Albin Brion won the ball back with a strong tackle before freeing Hampshire. The leagues top marksman had plenty to do but managed to curl in a sumptuous effort off both posts and into the net.

It was 2 nil shortly after. Arnold P**n was causing havoc on the right and as the ball arrived to him from another diagonal pass, it was ominous for Colts. The younger P**n brother shifted the ball half a yard before supplying a beauty of a cross which Hampshire met with a thumping header leaving the keeper with no chance.

The game had the potential to become a procession for Albion at that point but against the run of play Colts got a goal back. Slight hesitation in the defence allowed Colts striker in to lift the ball over the stranded Cyril in nets.

A 2-1 scoreline at half-time kept the game in the balance. Albion were the dominant team in the second half but couldn’t manage to find the third goal which would have ended the contest. Keefe and Hampshire had opportunities but couldn’t find the net. Colts main threats were out wide but full-backs Amro Abbas and Ash P**n were in superb form letting nothing past them. With the Dujardin brothers between them In central defence - Albion were dominant at the back and managed the game as Albion ran out 2-1 winners.

Feet up after that as it’s Wanderers on Tuesday night in a potential title decider.

GW17
Sunday 5th June
Yau Yee Division 1

Albion awarded 3-0 walkover v Maccabi HK

*Match report GW16*
Sunday 29th May, 2022
Yauyee Div 1

*Albion - 5 *(Hampshire 2, Remi Depalmas, Keefe, Worth)
*Colloids - 1*

Albion maintained their lead at the top with a 5:1 win over Colloids. The blazing heat and humidity made for a frustrating game at times but Albion did enough to see out a solid victory.

The club side took the lead after 15 minutes when Albin’s cross fell to Hampshire who curled delightfully into the far top corner. Colloids however were finding room in the middle and from one such breakaway caused havoc resulting in a penalty which Dan Martin duly converted.

Albion’s passing was off but they went ahead again on the half hour mark when McArdle found Remi Depalmas in the box and he smashed in at the near post.

The second half again started slowly with both teams feeling the effects of the heat. Newcomer, Arnold P**n’s introduction livened things up and his penetrating run into the box led to the Colloids keeper taking him down. Matt Keefe confidently dispatched the spot-kick to give Albion a cushion.

The game then settled down and Albion found more room. Albin was again the provider for Hampshire, who’s effort was fumbles into the net by the keeper to make it 4:1. Aidy rounded off the scoring when his corner amazingly flew into the far top corner.

4 wins out of 4 since the break for Albion as they head into the business end of the season.

*Match report GW15*
_Sunday 22nd May, 2022_
Yauyee Div 1

*Albion - 3* (McArdle, Remi Dujardin, Keefe)
*KCC dragons* - 2

Albion showed true fighting spirit after going behind twice to come back and take all 3 points in an epic battle against KCC.

After a turbulent week which saw the league leaders down to the bare bones, a win was exactly what the doctor ordered but it didn’t come easy. KCC started brightly and had the better of the opening exchanges. Albion did come to grips with the game and pressured from set plays but it was KCC who took the lead from a counter attack when net-minder Grant couldn’t keep out an effort from the edge to the box.

Albion almost responded immediately when McArdle’s free-kick clipped the outside of the post. The equaliser did come however when McArdle played a quick free to Remi Depalmas and his cross was handled in the box. McArdle put away the resultant penalty to level matters. Keefe had a good opportunity to make it 2:1 when he bared down on goal but the KCC keeper saved well.

Albion were much better in the 2nd half putting pressure on KCC from the off. Keefe did have the ball in the net but it was inexplicably ruled out for offside. Disaster then struck for Albion as they conceded a 2nd. They had a number of occasions to clear the ball but failed and then the resultant cross was unfortunately turned into his own net by Remi.

This could have been a hammer blow but Albion, and in particular Remi showed great character to level again. McArdle’s free was partially cleared to Worth who’s shot was flicked in by the big defender to make it 2:2.

There was only going to be one winner from there and it came on the hour mark. Lenny found McArdle on the edge of the box and he manoeuvred the ball through to Keefe who cooly side-footed home in front of his old Spartans team-mates. Albion then saw the game out reasonably well although they did have Grant to thank for a magnificent save at the death. A huge win for Albion which keeps them top of the league with 7 games remaining.

GW14
Sunday 15th May 2022
Yau Yee Division 1

Albion 8
Swiss XI 0

*Match report GW13*
Tuesday 11th May, 2022
Yauyee Div 1

*Albion - 12* (Hampshire 4, McArdle 2, Zoeller 2, Neuraz, Albin, Remi, Oli)
*KCC knights* - 0

*It’s good to be back*
It rained goals at Kings Park as Albion thoroughly enjoyed their 1st league game in almost 5 months! December 19th was their last competitive game but it didn’t show

Playing in white, Albion were quick out of the blocks playing some scintillating football with high intensity, cutting KCC a open at will. The first goal came after 10 minutes when a quick free kick in the middle caught KCC off guard and the defender headed back across his own goal for Hampshire to tap into an empty goal. Another breakaway led to the 2nd, Hampshire fed Boyer, who squared a great ball for the onrushing Thomas Neuraz to slide home.

The fourth goal came when McArdle won the ball high, skipped past two and rolled in Albin for a good finish low to the keepers left. McArdle got in on the act himself next, as an Eddy Tao cross was nodded down by Hampshire for him to finish. Hampshire rounded off the first half with a curling effort to to make it 5 nil.

Albion took awhile to get going in the 2nd half getting a little sloppy in possession. KCC set up with a better shape and held the scoreline until Hampshire fed McArdle and he side footed past the keeper for his second. Hampshire got his hat-trick when he headed home Oli’s cross before getting his 4th five minutes later, tapping home after a fantastic run from Neuraz.

Zoeller was next to get in on the act as he intercepted a short back pass to nip around the keeper and slot home. The goal of the night came from Remi who drove past a few defenders before unleashing a thunderbolt into the roof of the net. Tomas was the provider again for the 11th as he drove past one and squared for Oli who slid in to score. Zoeller wrapped up the scoring with a nice curled effort after another assist from Hampshire.

A good nights work for Albion as they look to retain their league title.

Peaky Blinders Christmas Social

Match report GW12
Sunday 19th December
Yauyee Div 1

Albion - 2 (Zoeller 2)
Spartans - 2

Albion and Spartans played out a 2:2 draw on Sunday, in the final game before the Christmas break.

Playing under the lights at Kings Park, a subdued Albion looked like the festivities had taken their toll - with a number of sub-par performances all over the pitch.

The first half was an end-to-end encounter with chances for both sides. Despite starting slowly, Albion had a number of dangerous attacks and a spate of corners before the pressure told. Man in form Zoeller was the one who applied the finishing touch, having being initially denied by a few blocks.

Spartans also had their moments however, with wide-man Zack Ford a constant threat. Goalkeeper Liam Grant denied Spartans an equaliser with a couple of saves from point-blank range before Zoeller made it two nil with another neat finish.

Hampshire then almost finished the game as a contest on the stroke of half-time, with a curling effort which struck the woodwork, after Albion’s best move of the match.

2 nil up at half-time, the second half was a different event. Albion didn’t play at all, as Spartans took control. They got one back, when Albion failed to heed the warnings and allowed Ford to cut inside and rifle an unstoppable shot to the net from 25 yards.

Indecision when playing out from the back then cost Albion further. The high press won possession on the edge of the Albion area and allowed Spartans a deserved equaliser. Playing nothing like champions, Albion didn’t look up for the fight until a stroke of luck (a Spartans red card) changed the course of the game again.

Albion got back on top and bombarded the Spartans goal, but in keeping with their performance, lacked the conviction to get a winner. Boyer, McArdle, Zoeller and Hampshire all had chances but were blocked, saved or missed - it was too little to late. Albion drop to 2nd place in the league going into the break and face a big challenge to find their form for the 2nd half of the season.