English expats overcome Scots

>> The much anticipated Alex Forbes Memorial Anglo Scottish Cup last Saturday saw England triumph 6-3 in an entertaining encounter at Bangkok Patana School.

This annual football match played between Bangkok expats, was closer than the scoreline might suggest with England requiring a powerful secondhalf performance to see them through.

The game commenced at a frenetic pace, typical of two British teams fighting for bragging rights and desperate for a win.

After three years of hurt, the Scots had never stopped dreaming and made all the early running as England struggled to adapt to a new formation.

Danai Downer opened the scoring for Scotland, rifling the ball home following a spectacular save by Arjun Bapat.

A thunderous 40-yard screamer from Adam Reid levelled the score. However, Scotland were not to be undone and scored two goals in quick succession to take a deserved two-goal lead courtesy of Niall Geraghty and Brendan Casy.

England were not creative enough and looked like they were going to throw it away, but Reid soon headed home a typical English striker’s goal which was followed up by a Tommy Almond tap-in to make it 3-3 at half-time.

The second half began with England on the front foot and they immediately took a 4-3 lead with Colin Johnson’s left foot strike in the six yard box.

England sat deep repelling countless Scottish forays and relying on their speedy strikers to counter attack. Using their pace and guile Aidan Hamill, Marek Brooks and Reid tore Scotland apart. Reid completed a deserved hat-trick with an unstoppable strike.

The icing on the cake for England was reserved for Hamill who scored the sixth and final goal of a thoroughly enjoyable game. The teams fully deserved their post-match refreshments provided by Pizzamania and Stowford Press cider.