Eagles avenge Dilly defeat

The GulfWeekly 'Eight-a-Side' Expat League has kicked off the season in style with displays of silky skills alongside a goal bonanza, writes Mai Al Khatib.

Royal Riffa 'Wee Monty' had their first win of the season against the British Club with a convincing 3-1 scoreline.

Midfielders David McClelland, Wayne Ridgway and Martin Drennan notched one apiece with the British Club's industrious Scott Lambert pulling one back.

British Club team manager Raj Pahuja said: "I thought that we controlled a large part of the game and had most of the possession but unfortunately didn't have many shots on goal. A draw probably would have been a fair result but it was nonetheless a good game."

The next game was a shocker for an ageing Dilmun Club side who came unstuck against a Krazy Kevin-inspired Saar Eagles 7-2.

These two teams last met in March when the Dilmun Club cruised to a comfortable 5-1 victory.

Last week was a totally different affair although the Dilly boys went in front first thanks to winger Eamon Eagen's deft touch but within a few minutes it was level when striker James McCrystal equalised for the Eagles.

Goalkeeper Steve Gibbons, in the Eagles goal, kicked the ball out and as striker Sam Awadh rose to control it he was pushed in the back by a desperate Dilly defender who headed the ball behind for a corner.

As the Eagles went down field to line-up for the incoming cross, the referee gave the decision in favour of the Dilly boys who launched the ball up field from the subsequent goalkick to watch Craig 'Wedgie' Guire score.

The Eagles and supporters on the pitch-side were dumbfounded and vented their frustrations, but all to no effect. The goal stood and the Dilmun finished the half 2-1 in front.

The second half got under way and the earlier 'injustice' gave the Eagles added impetuous to go for victory. Within five minutes one of the Saar new boys, midfielder Yacine Meridji, drove the ball into the net to make it 2-2.

Another few minutes and a lovely long ball from defender Mickie Dismore saw another new Eagles youth signing, striker Kevin 'Krazy' Howarth, 52, nod the ball into the Dilly net to make it 3-2.

Meridji bagged his second goal to increase the lead and within minutes, old boy Sam Awadh shook up the Dilly keeper with a powerful volley which the keeper could only watch swing into the net.

Midfielder Dan Niemeyer scored the goal of the game with a rasping shot which left the Dilly keeper flat footed to make it 6-2. Eagles team manager, defender Brian Cross said: "Gone now were the old memories of last season. One of the Dilly Boys had even asked us to give them a break!"

McCrystal netted his second to put the final nail in the Dilly coffin at 7-2.

Cross added: "It was a fantastic match to kick off the new season and it could have been more as Awadh rattled both the Dilly crossbar and post. Revenge for last season was complete."

During Wednesday's fixtures, St Christopher's School dominated the Arabian Celts with a convincing 6-0 victory. Striker Mark Holness said: "We passed the ball very well in the first half and had a majestic performance from midfielders Giles Dawson and Craig Blythe.

"Keeper Mike Bear Jardine commanded his penalty box like a true Canuck. A well deserved victory and it would be nice if we could halt the league now as we are at the top!"

The scorers were striker Richard Posh Dixon Clarke with three, Sparky Mark Holness with one and midfielder B J Ross with a brace.

The game Expat League exthusiasts were waiting for between league champions Bayer Neverlusen (formerly Wahooo!) and cup winners Oak FC (formerly Rugby Club AXA) ended in a hard-fought draw.

Bayer Neverlusen's striker Chris Tricker thought his team were lucky to come away with a 1-1 result. He explained: "I honestly think we were lucky as they should have won. Thanks to an own goal we were able to scrape a point. One of their defenders passed the ball back to his keeper only for it to be misjudged and roll into the net. We may not have been at our best but we will do better in our upcoming game against St Christopher's School."

Oak FC's attacking midfielder Adil Glia scored in the first half before unlucky defender Andy Watson's disastrous own-goal.

On Monday evening Dilmun Club played Royal Riffa 'Wee Monty' and Arabian Celts took on Oak FC. Tonight at 7pm St Christopher's School play Bayer Neverlusen followed at 8pm by Saar Eagles against the British Club. All games are held at the British School of Bahrain.

To view the fixture list and league standings visit https://bahrainexpats.leaguerepublic.com