Senior League Cup Final
Dalston vs Hatch Lane
 
First half kicked off & both teams are going at it trying to get the ball down and play. Dalston started off better as their central midfielders were looking to get on the ball early and stretch the Hatch Lane defence by getting it into their wingers (Ayrton Coley & Kwasi Marfo) earlydoors. Chances came and went as Dalston let fly one after another but failed to capitalise on their early dominance by not troubling Boateng in the Hatch Goal.
 
Hatch lane tried to get the ball up to goalscoring sensation (Kieran Bishop) as quickly A*S possible as they highlighted the Dalston defence as their weak spot in the team & Bishop chased down each loose ball. On the left hand side Browne & Bondjanga were pushing the tempo of the game and really taking it to the Dalston right side as well as Florence & Thompson on the other. The MAJOR break came in the 35th minute when Sanjay Thompson was SENT OFF for leaving the ground with both foot despite not initially making contact with the player; the referee deems that as a severe enough offense and sends Thompson walking.
 
It's now 11 vs 10 in Dalston's favour and they try to assert their dominance by breaking down the left hand side but each time Florence was there to clean things up; despite the referee seeming to award free-kicks left right and centre everytime Coley got within breathing distance of Florence. However this 12 vs 10 tactic would not stifle a resiliant Hatch Lane defence with Barnes & Thomas at the heart of the defense cleaning things up.
 
With arguably the move of the match which started in the middle between Thomas & Wackers, the ball made its way to the right hand side as a low cross by Dean Florence was converted in by Andrew Thomas to an empty net on (40') which; against the run of play put Hatch Lane 1-0 up 5 minutes before half-time. Dalston look stunned and would look to get back on track after the break.
 
HT
 
The second half kicked off and after a 50-50 battle, Dalston equalised to make it 1-1 and now their tails were wagging getting back on level terms in front of capacity crowd here at Hackney Marshes, Showpitch 1 Velodrome. 20 minutes later a shot is rebounded off Boateng and out of nowhere; a player who Dalston couldn't seem to find in the whole of Hackney Marshes, Musa follows up sneakedly and slots the ball home 2-1 Dalston.
 
SUB: Daniel Florence OFF, Andrew Thomas OFF, Browne OFF
SUB: Dominic Stephens ON, Calvin Petrie ON, Marlon Campbell ON
 
Approaching the dying embers of the game and it all seems like its going to be a defeat for Hatch Lane here in the final but an opportunity presents itself as those gains in the gym from Dean Florence paid of as his persistance winning the first and second ball lead to an indirect free-kick as Dalston centre back is penalised for diving. We are fast approaching the end of the game and as al big boys go forward for what seems to be the last kick of the game, Dean Florence and Bishops long-term friendship seems to have paid of as the understanding seemed to have eluded a good 100 capacity STRONG as a smartly taken free-kick right centre is slid down to the by-line where Bishop somehow keeps it in play and slots underneath a 6ft Goalkeeper in folksey 1-1 (89').
 
With minutes until extra-time Dalston launch an attack to get the late winner however Hatch TOO even with 10 men get an opportunity to win the game in normal time but it wasnt to be.
 
ET
 
The first half kicks off very cagey and goes by in a flash, however; Daniel Florence is SENT OFF on the sidelines for calling the referee a C**T, charming..
 
We are now into the last 15 minutes and it all comes down to this, for some reason Dalstons best player Cain seems to think he doesnt fancy this game and gets himself SENT OFF after being rattled by Barnes. 10 vs 10 for the last 10 minutes and with the steady play that Stephens brings to the side going to aid he's players, always showing, spreading & calming play; it seemed like it was doing wonders as Twin Towers Petrie  & Campbell was causing havok for the Dalston defence, running channels, winning first & seconds, to play ALONGSIDE Bishop now were REALLY talking Hatch Lane Allstars & it really was a tall order to fight off the onslaught which seemed to have be born on the left hand side. We are still looking for Orlando... Please contact on he's whereabouts.
 
Having been moved to RWB since normal time, Ashley Wackers had to deal with arguably their fastest player who seemed to only fancy running channels and waste time, as well as Coley who grew frustrated of the work Florence & Wackers gave him during the match and was eventually Substituted just before penalties. With penalties on the horizons Hatch Lane worked their way from RB all the way to RW with 3 or 4 consecutive throw ins from Wackers.. Having settled for the draw and calling shape from the whole squad Captain Bondjanga got the
call from the sidelines (Dan Flo) to push on as there was numbers staying back, after a quick word with Barnes, up came the 5ft 8 leaping king. A long throw is then thrown from the sky by Wackers which is then flicked to the back post by Campbell and THERE IS BONDJANGA AT THE BACK POST TO HEAD THE BALL INTO THE NET!! CRAZY SCENES AS HATCH LANE SCORE IN THE (118') MINUTE TO LEAD THE EL CLASICO OF THE MARSHES! Immidiately from the aftermath of the goal Dalston have brought OUT manager / player Folksey from GK and sent him STRAIGHT up top to; what were guessing win headers. Something they should've carried on doing from taking a 2-1 lead and not get so comfortable, they return to force the issue in pursuit of an equaliser which DOES NOT COME AS THE REFEREE FINALLY BLOWS UP AND HATCH LANE ARE YOU NEWWW SENIOR LEAGUE CHAMPIONS.. 2015/2016
 
Back next week for more.......
 
Hatch Lane: Boateng, Florence, Brightley-Barnes, Thomas, Bondjanga, Wackers, Thomas, Florence, Thompson, Browne, Bishop.
Subs: Anang, Bishop, Petrie, Wade, Campbell, Stephens.