Another week and another league game. Trekking all the way to Sembawang Secondary, we were there to play Grandiators. Confidence was high after last week’s morale boasting win over league leaders BC. As everyone was trickling in, we were concerned about the 2 big Africans from our opponents. And indeed they caused us a lot of problems.
We started the game with a 4-4-1-1 formation. Andy was chosen to support Colin upfront. Probably due to his great outing last week. Carrying on from last week, we started well and were controlling midfield. Benny was causing a lot of problems for the opponents on the left and on one such occasion he managed to wriggle into the box and was fouled. Colin quickly took the ball and then without looking at the captain, he placed it on the spot and shot it into the bottom right corner. Unsaveable even though the goalkeeper went the right way. 1-0 up and we were cruising. Benny was the thorn in their side again and he got fouled again. Colin again took matters into his own hand and went to take the free kick on the left. He mentioned to me that when he struck the ball, he thought it would be going in. But it smashed against the cross bar and came out. While Benny was getting kicked around, centre midfield was being bounced around by the big African. He’s not that mobile. But it was so difficult to get the ball off him. And he was creating chances for his team. But his team mates let him down. Benny again got into the thick of action. He fell. Got up. And tried to cross. It was a crap cross and his apologies could be heard all over. BUT the ball sailed over the goalkeeper went in at the far post. What a fluke. 2-0 up and we were on the ascendancy. A smattering of changes needed time to adjust but we didn’t do it in time and this time they scored a goal with a through ball in the middle. 2-1 and the team was getting nervous. A late corner to the far post from us was met sweetly by SK, it was hurtling towards goal. But it struck Patrick and went out. Half time came and we couldn’t be happier to come out leading.
2nd half started and we began the same way as the first. Their young players were causing us a lot of problems but the defence was coping well. Jerome did a very good job at left back and managed to stop them several times. A goal kick to us was passed by Jansen to Dave, who quickly shuffled it to the middle. A one touch pass to Max and he spotted Patrick moving. A great ball down the left and the moving Pat got to it and unleashed a powerful shot to the top corner. Similar to Benny goal but he meant it. So other than that, he should have remained in HK. 5 minutes later, pressure upfront from Colin caused some panic. His relentless and tough challenge caused the ball to be deflected to another defender. This defender was however quickly closed down by Andy. He took the ball off him and went past him on the right. Into the box he went, one on one with the goalkeeper, he smashed the ball into the top corner. An unstoppable shot. Good goal. 4-1 up and we should be closing the game comfortably. But the opponents grew in stature instead. Pouring men forward, they created plenty of chances albeit missing them. Their young forwards were really a handful. One chance fell to them and he finished with aplomb. We were struggling to cope. A free kick given away on the left gave them another opportunity. They sent a screamer towards goal. Sherman was behind it but spilled the ball. 4 or 5 opponents were onrushing, they should be off side actually. Sherman saved the follow up. But it fell to them again. They then hit it against the cross bar. Since there were so many of them and none of us, because we stood there watching, it fell to them again. But they could only miskick it out for a goal kick. Manager was furious! And can be heard from Yishun shouting at the defence. As we tried to wind the time down, Benny did his Oscar best, earning several free kicks to kill time. Somehow we managed to keep them out, with one particular chance in the box thoroughly wasted. The young forward got the ball in the box. Facing Dave, he turned to his right, then turned to his left. He then skewed the ball wide, fortunately for us as nobody was nearby. Game ended shortly and we were definitely pleased to hear the final whistle.
A banana skin avoided as we picked up 3 points today. It could have easily been the opposite. While we were far from our best, we eked out the win. Credit to the defence for standing firm and Sherman for putting in another good shift. His new gloves probably played a part too. The missing toe nail of Jansen proves to be no obstacle as he ran his socks off in defence. Kenny was all over the place beside him in the 2nd half and did very well in containing the forwards. Several forgettable performances from some of us as we struggled to find the touches and passes. In my opinion, Benny was outstanding today. Leading the charge, getting the penalty and scoring a goal. And he got two bruised knees to show for it as they brought him down when he went past them. Let’s continue the momentum and try to build on our performance. See you guys next week.
