Ah, the ignominy. But, they were really up for it after we’d done the double over them in the season.

It was during the shuffle that they stole the first – with Araya’s parry not held and the certainly off-side number 7 coming in for the rebound. We’d already been denied a nailed on penalty for a hand ball in the box (which infuriated the tremendous Matt P) so it looked like Alex wasn’t in the mood to give us anything.

Solid again till the half, and it wasn’t until 25 minute into the second half that they got their second – we were uncharacteristically hesitant at the back while we moved from two holding to two up top after the graft master Gavin B was yellow carded. Matt and Gavin had been absolutely terrific as Carrick and Scholes, but Gav’s yellow was a Scholesy challenge that any of us would have made – we had nearly everyone in the box looking for the equalizer and Gav was deputizing for Araya and Ousman – they broke he struck

So with 10 minutes left and having had entirely the best of the open play (no finishing today though lads) we threw everything and the kitchen sink at them with Benny D, Nick Esp and Rosario T up top and Gavin covering for Rosario at left back. You might as well lose 3-0 as 2-0, and with everything in attack and with the boys leaving absolutely everything on the pitch that’s what happened.

But this was an astonishing performance, with moments of Arsenal and counter attacks out of the Fergie playbook, Valhalla knew we were the better team and that they’d been very lucky on the night. Boyley, Benny and Nick had all left a couple of chances on the table but made up for that with toil. Any other eam in the league and we play like that and they’re battered.

Keeper Kareem Orio kept us in it, but even he couldn’t keep them all out and disappointingly we ended up 2-1 down at the end. With skipper Nick Emm out with hamstring trouble and a couple of other noticeable absences, we’ll have to start getting ready for the bounce back.

It’s inevitable that heads would dip a bit, and even more so when the second went in a few minutes later. At 2-0 down, poor Tony spilled the ball went for the rebound – as did Hollywood striker, who caught Tony in the arm – and that was Tony done for the night. Andy D and Jason deputized but it was all over at that point and there was nothing the outfield players could do to help them.

It was a battering really and a salient reminder that this project still needs a good bit of work if we’re to realize our collective aspirations. Hollywood United were really up for it and were by far the better team, their victory richly deserved.

Thankfully, Terra got some great pictures:

Nicky E and Boyley up top missed a couple of opportunities in the first half, but the first 40 or so were more about us being second to the ball, half-hearted in the challenge and slow in defence.  Only new addition Navid Jannatipour came out with any kudos, really – but his brief show when we went to three up was not enough to turn the tide.

Second half was a different story, this was the FK of old with phenomenal commitment and verve – accordingly we spent 95% of the half in possession in their half.  Alas, their second half  keeper played out of his skin, and as Sean P, David L, Carr S and the strikers bombarded the goalmouth – so we hit the bar, the upright and the goalie did the rest.

It’s disappointing that the talent on display for FK couldn’t get the reuslt last night, but it’s early days and it’ll come. This is our season.

It wasn’t long before the FK squad was 1 up, but we lost a little ground in the first half, but came back from 2-1 to go into the break 2-2. Second half and it was all Dinamo, with Chappers adding to Boyley’s brace from a free kick and then Benny D poaching the fourth.

Though there was little friendly about the ‘friendly’ with our Andy D and their Sergio P both sent off. Andy’s dismissal was a bit harsh, with Sergio having lost his cool starting spitting.

That brief ugliness aside a  cracking contest. Very solid, in spite of the absences and a joy to watch.