It's another new encounter as young Woodlanderz FC host Chestercity FC in a hot hazy day at West Spring Sec. It's the second time City played on that pitch their last was when they won 4-2 against Apex Rangers.
With most players out for this clash, City had to start with only 11 players, the team was not help by the last minute withdrawal of Zahrul Bahri. Team manager Ridwan had to reshuffle his formation. Playing 4-4-1-1 with returning Amin, the right back slot was a makeshift one as Nol, a goalkeeper playing as right back. Ryan was slotted in with ever present Fred, and Hafiz found him straying on the left. Indra and Bob Ashura cementing in centre midfield with Anon and Rizzy deployed on the wings. Duncan given a free role behind lone striker Ridwan.
Before the game, referee had two teams together and prematch handshake took place.
With that done, City looked out of shape as Woodlanderz pry open City for their first goal as early as 9th min.
City had a chance to pull level but Ridwan's freekick gazes off the crossbar. Woodlanderz held on. 5 minutes later, they double their lead.
A ball down the right flank left the winger free with time and space, the winger's cross was misjudged by Amin which flew in with the help of the custodian right hand post.
City did not know what hit them. Duncan then tries to take matters into his own hand but Woodlanderz put couple of blokes to stop the run of the midfielder.
City had one glorious opportunity, Duncan whips in a wicked cross to the far post but evades Ridwan and Hafiz who was within a touch to pull a goal back.
The halftime score remains 2-0 in favour of the young team.
Second half, as Woodlanderz makes a couple of changes, City readjust their formation to 4-4-2 with Bob playing upfront with Ridwan.
4 mins into the second half, City pull a goal back. From a corner, Bob had the slightest oft touches in the box with Ryan finishing off from close range.
A minute later, it was Woodlanderz who restored their 1 goal advantage in a swift team move. 3-1.
Duncan then showed why he is indispensable in the club. Anon fakes his way on the right flanks turn his maker and sends in a cross which deflected off the defenders foot and Duncan letting the ball drop before hitting a sweet volley to the back of the net making in 3-2 in the 48th min.
City smell an equaliser. Bob found some space on the right wing, eased past the left back and sends a wonderful measured cross which Ridwan finishes with a thunderous diving header to make it 3-3. Ridwan runs over to Bob to acknowledge his hard work.
Indra almost put City infront. Picking a lose ball at opponents half, Indra drives a stupendous left foot shot only to be denied by the crossbar.
Woodlanderz did not stayed back instead they pushes forward and deservedly taken the lead yet again after Amin has the helping hand to their goal.
City players look exhausted, Duncan had one good opportunity, raced down the opponents half, skipped past two challengers only to be brought down by the right back. Referee awarded a freekick but tempers flared as Duncan was seen infuriating over that horror tackle and with Woodlanderz captain and Indra squaring up, both teams ended up with 10 men when referee dismissed the 2 players involved.
Duncan scored his 4th goal of the season with a well struck freekick.
In the 64th min, it was Bob's turn. An initial clearance from City set piece was cleared only as far as Bob who volleyed it with his left foot which crept past the packed penalty box to put City infront for the first time of the match.
It was not over. 5 mins later, Woodlanderz equalised. As tired legs set in, the opponents forward beat the offside trap and lobs Amin.
City pressed forward. Try to look for a winner. Rizzy was put through on the left. He skips past challengers after challengers looks up and lays it to Ridwan and with 3 players diving in for a tackle, Ridwan cheekily digs it over the goalkeeper to make it 6-5.
When City thought they have the game in the bag, opponents was saved 2 mins from time when a set piece was not safely gathered by Amin which saw Woodlanderz scoring the simplest goal of the match.
Final score 6-6.
Ridwan commented after the match, "It was a great game with end to end stuffs in the second half. We are by far the better team after the interval and should have put the game beyond doubt. I'm not going to comment on the red card. It has already happened. No point grieving over it. My main focus right now is to be mentally prepared if situation like this resurfaced. The lads have done absolutely well with 11 and 10 in the end but we have shown that we can play under difficult circumstances. The game was in our hands but we threw it away. Some players might have their good game, some otherwise. No matter what, the club will still be behind all the players who did not perform cause we do not access a player based on 1 game but in a whole"
