Another Saturday another game. Strict rules were imposed for us to play at Catholic Junior College. On a high from last week’s victory, we were rocked by the late withdrawal of our new midfield dynamo due to injury. Fortunately, the return of the elder Max, could potentially soften the blow. Strangely, an insect turned up for the game, despite not signing up. He managed to convince LLLC to let him play with a pact that he will make it to BKK.
The pitch was huge. Larger than what we used to play on regularly. Suddenly, we missed Ron. We started brightly but were still missing the simple passes and we struggled to cope with the huge pitch as the alumni made us exhausted with their wide play. Kenny couldn’t deal with a ball down the left and when it was crossed, our defence was all over the place and their left winger came in to volley into the right corner. 1-0 down. We create a few chances but because of the huge pitch, by the time we made it to a shot, we ran out of steam. Our wingers were not doing much and were hauled off by our manager. A long ball down our left was chased down by our insect. Screamed at by the manager, he actually made it there. He somehow got the ball into our manager path. Who took a touch and amazingly shot the ball into the top left corner. What a goal! What an amazing shot! Super strike! The keeper couldn’t save it at all! Really a contender for goal of the season. Remember this goal guys. Half time came. 1-1.
Probably exhausted by the game, nothing significant was said. The only phrase that resonates was that it was the freshest air we had ever breathe during halftime. Courtesy of the no smoking rule in CJC. Manager made some changes and off we go again!
We started really strongly. And the harassing up front caused mistakes in their defence. The front 3 of Colin, Harold and Lawrence were pressing and a ball down the right by Lawrence led to a cross by Harold and Colin duly arrived at the far post to score. Minutes later, another one. A replica of the earlier goal. Again, Harold beat his man down the right and crossed for Colin, who bundled it across the line. Our system seemed to work and we created more chances. Another harassing of the defence led to Lawrence breaking away with the ball, who squared it to Colin in the box. He somehow placed it just wide of the left post. Several other chances were spurned as well, notably a through ball to Stuart who failed to put it past the keeper. The opponents were still in the game. Octavius cleared the ball to the midfield who sent a lob all the way from near midfield to score. It was a good goal that nobody had any chance to stop. Our last goal came when Lawrence got a corner and he whipped it in. It somehow missed the front defender, goalkeeper and the defender at the far post to creep in. Changes were then made as we attempt to give game time to all. The opponents were launching their attacks and we were withstanding it well. A corner from them reached Patrick, he got to the ball and it hit his outstretched hand. Penalty! Calmly dispatched into the corner. 4-3. Game on! We were definitely on the backfoot and the sky saved us as the lightning indicator went off. That put an end to the game.
Credit to the Super striker who scored his second hat trick in 2 weeks. Really leading the way for scoring. Dave is really gelling into the team. His presence today saved us on several occasions, with his speed, composure and delivery. Obviously the big pitch helped. Harold came alive in the second half, worked hard and laid on the goals for our Super striker. The rest of the team played their part in this win and with this setup, we believe we could only do better!
