Jurong West, Singapore
Chestercity FC takes on a new look Biggin Hill side with victory on their minds. City won the reverse fixture 3-1 at Woodlands Secondary but they did not underestimate their opponents. Referee Eric takes charge of the match.
City had few players missing such as Afizan, Stanton, Izzat, Azhar and most importantly Aizam which was not help by a last minute withdrawal by Syafiq who failed to recover from his knee injury in time.
City has to settle with just 12 players during kick off and with Safiuddin late, City coach placed left back Syaikhan in goal. Xavier at right back, Yusuf getting his first start alongside club's captain Charlie and Jelson started on the left. Zaini, Sufiyan and Faizal in a three man midfield while Affandy had the attacking midfield role. Alang spearhead the attack alongside the returning Airul from injury.
Both teams had a fair share of possession. Both canceling out each other in attack.
In the 7min, City won a freekick. Up steps Alang but his freekick goes wide.
7mins later, again Alang shows what a great player he is when his play down the right wing release Affandy but he shoots wide. Both teams failed to convert the chances given to them. First blood to City, Alang was the provider after beating 2 Biggin Hill's player before setting up Airul with an excellent thru ball to make it 1-0 in the 18th min. Syaikhan was showing great abilities as a goalkeeper as he made catches after catches. He even spring into the feet of Biggin's attacker, smothering the ball at his feet. Heat is the factor for both teams as they tries to create chances. With City players switching off, the ball was send down the right flank, the winger shoots, Syaikhan made a double save, first knocking the ball away with his feet and then diving across to save a goalbound shot. Excellent reflexes.
Halftime stays at 1-0
Halftime saw changes with City revert Sufiyan to central back while Charlie pushing back to central midfield alongside Faizal. Eizzul replace Zaini while Hadi replace Jelson in a change formation of 3-4-1-2. The heat was a barrier for both teams as not many chances was made till the 44th minute when Faizal shoots wide from 20 yards out.
Then City scores again. Every player was in awe as Affandy scores with an excellent curler to the roof of the net giving Biggin's goalie no chance in the 46th min.
2-0 to City.
Airul then got a chance to add to his tally but he swipe his shot wide after a great work by Alang down the flank. With City began to threaten, Biggin decided to wind up their dangerman, Alang. In the 51st min, a thru ball towards Biggin's half was chased down by Alang. The opponent's goalie was first to it but referee missed an incident as Alang was kicked and elbowed by the defender while trying to get the ball. Heated argument was exchanged an Alang lashed out on the defender.
Referee Eric gave both players their marching orders. That also marks the end of Sufiyan's game as he pulled a hamstring. On comes City's coach Ridwan replacing him in the 52nd min.
2 minutes coming on, Airul lays a wonderful pass to Ridwan who beats a defender and sends an audacious lob beating the back paddling goalie but only to see his effort crashes off the top righthand crossbar which was cleared by Biggin's defence soon after.
In the 59min, Ridwan was released again by Airul, where he was clearly brought down outside box but referee waves away the protest. It was a cynical foul. City pressed on but Biggin's stubborn defence capitalized every single attack.
8 mins from time, Hadi long ball found Ridwan who was challenge unfairly from behind. Freekick awarded just outside penalty box. Biggin Hill defence prepared the wall as they prepared for Ridwan's freekick but instead it was Affandy who curled over the wall which was comfortably saved.
74th min, corner for City, Charlie whips in the corner towards the back post with Ridwan lurking freely but amazingly he heads it high and wide.
A scuffle between Ridwan and the number 83 saw players from both side being peacemaker after Ridwan swings an arm during the battle of possession.
City then hold on to their first clean sheet as the final whistle was blown bringing an end to a heated match.
City coach commented after the match, " It's the club very first clean sheet. I have been discussing about this for the past weeks with the team and kudos to them, they finally did it. I'm happy with the performance by the lads cause we overcome the odds with a lot of players out, we had the job done.
About the sending off of Alang, the referee was right. Once a player retaliates, he has himself to blame but the referee missed the deliberate elbow on him before the card was shown. It was a provoke challenge but nevetherless the referee has made his decision and it's sad that we won't have Alang for the next game. The lads was determined to hold on to the clean sheet today and I hope this performance will continue till the end of season."
