Almost a month had passed since our last league game and today we head to Juying Sec for our next one against league leaders Marists. It was indeed further than far as most of us made extra effort to turn up early, with some leaving as early as 3.30pm to get there. Colin was able to pick his 1st eleven because of this effort and effort was the key today.
Despite the hiatus, we started strongly. Managing to comfortably passing it around while trying to penetrate. After about 15 minutes, Andy got the ball in the middle and swung it wide to the right for Patrick. He volleyed right across goal and Colin was there at the far post for a tap in. Great anticipation that Pat will missed his shot. Indeed, after the game, Pat confessed that was a shot and not a cross. Henry was playing left back. Unfamiliar for him but crucially for us as he held off their right winger comfortably and even managed to make a last ditch tackle when their striker went through 1 on 1 with Sherman. We created several chances but failed to convert and we will always run the risk of paying for the missed chances. Pat couldn’t control the ball properly when put through. Benny thrashed it wide when he was through as well. In fact, the through passes were so easy and many that it seemed destined that we will score again. Even Pikachu had a chance but he screwed it wide. On the other hand, the defence was working hard and over time. Plenty of last minute tackles and brilliant marshaling by Jan and then later Ron ensured that Sherman was only troubled by long shots which he dealt with comfortably. We couldn’t add to the score line and was very happy to get to half time leading 1-0.
Because of an incident during the game, the manager reminded everyone this. Encouragement you shout. Criticism you zip or swallow. That seem to do the trick as we were all out encouraging each other in the 2nd half.
A few changes and more chances were created by ya. Benny took the ball in our half. Beat 2 men and sprinted down the left. He reached the box and blast the ball over. Pat was at his Scholes best. Threading a through ball to Dave who couldn’t beat the keeeper at the near post. Then he put another through for Stuart who didn’t want to shoot. At the back, we were kept busy. Ben was inspirational. Read the game well and made important tackles to stop the attacks. On one occasion when we lost the ball in the middle, their dangerous forward sprinted through and was sandwiched by our players. Yet he still managed to poke the ball goalwards and Sherman stuck out his leg to keep it out. After that, another loose ball in the box was blocked which could easily had gone in. Somehow we couldn’t add to the scoreline. We could have been easily up 5-0 but for the missed chances. Good thing that we were not made to pay for them in this game. Loads of effort today and we saw out the game to win 1-0 and get the 3 points.
Manager was very proud of us. Indeed. The effort was tremendous and was truly a team effort. Everyone worked very hard but some of us were exceptional. Henry did very well. Ben helped out a lot. Sherman kept us in the game with no nonsense goalkeeping. Max was all over the place. Pat worked tirelessly up and down. Andy too. Kenny is growing in stature in his centreback position. Pikachu chased every ball in front, which helped us out at the back. Dave did well too in his many positions today but he probably won’t be taking any free kicks for a while now. Bee? Wow. What can I say? He cannot get the ball, he got the man. Effort. Full of it.
This was a very good game for us to play in and I’m sure all of us enjoyed it. The effort is exemplary. And if we showed this week in, week out, we will win the league. Keep it up boys.
