The Beautiful Game

Monday, July 09, 2007

FULL TIME --- SCORCHERS FC 4:0 Mavericks

Scorers : Scorchers FC --- Ak, Albert, Ser Hwee, Leonard

After a long summer break, Scorchers FC were finally back in action on Saturday. In fact, the match could have been postponed due to a last min waterlogged pitch. Fortunately, the referee was able to find a playable pitch and the match was finally able to get underway.

Right from the kickoff, Scorchers FC signalled their intentions by starting off with a high tempo. Constantly pressuring their opponents, Scorchers FC managed to earn a few corners. It was from one such corner that Scorchers FC opened their accounts, a Weilin corner falling kindly to Ak in the penalty box, allowing him to strike the ball hard into goal. 1-0 Scorchers FC, and no.23 Ak proved that he was no Carragher when it comes to scoring. Only 5 matches into the season and Ak has scored his 1st goal for the club, not forgetting that it was scored using his least favoured right foot.

The opponents were not disheartened though and threatened to strike back, with their no.7 pulling the strings in midfield. Scorchers FC's rock solid defence held firm though, and there was little for keeper Ka Yun to do. Little was to change for the rest of the first half, with neither teams able to create clear-cut chances. Right at the very end of the first half though, Terence missed a glorious chance after Ying Hao had put him through beautifully. Faced with a one-on-one situation with the keeper, Terence's first touch was too heavy and the keeper managed to smother the ball. The half time whistle blew soon after. 1-0 Scorchers FC at the interval.

A new-look Scorchers FC started the 2nd half with Terence deployed in a sweeper position and Denzyl pulled back to left back. It was a bright start from Scorchers FC, with Ser Hwee releasing overlapping right back Weilin down the right flank who put in a pinpoint cross to Ying Hao who headed narrowly wide. With Scorchers FC midfielders working hard to contain the threat of the Maverick's no.7, Scorchers FC were able to enjoy the majority of the possession. Just like in the first half though, chances were far and limited. It was starting to look nervous for Scorchers FC who were not able to get the killer second goal.

Scorchers FC's dominance was to tell soon after though. Receiving the ball in the area, Ying Hao held off 2 markers before releasing the ball to Albert who was wide open in the penalty area. A left footed placed shot later, and it was 2-0 Scorchers FC. The players celebrated wildly, showing signs of relief on their faces upon getting the second goal that their efforts had long warranted for. Not satisfied with their 2 goal lead, Scorchers FC continued to push forward. From a quick counter attack, the ball fell to Ser Hwee just inside the penalty box but all he could do was to hit a tame shot towards the keeper. It didn't take too long for Ser Hwee to atone for his mistake though. A low cross into the area by Weilin was dummied cleverly by Ying Hao for Ser Hwee to stroke the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. 3-0 Scorchers FC the scoreline and it was all but over for the team based in Dallas.

More misery was to be heaped on Mavericks. A great team move saw passes swapped on the right flank between Weilin and Kenneth before the ball was passed to Ying Hao in the area. Back facing the goal, Ying Hao held off the challenge of his marker, before passing the ball to Kenneth who had made an intelligent run into the box. Cutting the ball back into 6-yard box, Kenneth found Leonard who unleashed an unstoppable shot into the goal. 4-0 Scorchers FC and wild celebrations followed. A 10-minute goal spree by Scorchers FC to crush whatever hopes Mavericks still had. There was still time for Ser Hwee to create another chance after he had broken free of the Maverick's right back. Alas, he was unable to double his tally as his shot breezed narrowly past the left hand post of the keeper. The full time whistle went soon after and Scorchers FC were able to celebrate their 2nd consecutive win.

What the pundits say ---
Credits to the whole team again. Keeper Ka Yun for keeping a clean sheet despite having some nervous moments. Weilin who worked hard for the team and chipped in with 1 assist. Thia who was rock solid throughout and made the opponents think twice with some crunching tackles. Ak who scored his first goal for the club and was as reliable as a no.23 should be. Mervyn who made lots of clever overlapping runs. Terence who impressed in his new-found centre back position. Kenneth for troubling the opponents throughout with his trickeries and ideas. Chao Zhang for working his socks off to help out the defence. Denzyl who showed moments of brilliance. Leonard for displaying his high work rate once again and capping it off with a goal. Albert who worked hard throughout and managed to get his deserved BIRTHDAY goal. Ying Hao who did ever so well on his return to the team, holding off his markers well to create chances for his teammates. Last but not least, ME for working hard throughout and scoring a goal despite missing two glorious chances. Over the past few games, the team has shown improvements and displayed more team plays. Hopefully, we will continue to progress and may our teamwork improve. 5 match unbeaten streak, with more to come. Cheers!

Line-up ---
Ka Yun, Weilin, Ak, Thia, Mervyn (Ying Hao '25), Kenneth, Ser Hwee, Cz, Denzyl, Albert (Terence '35), Leonard

Reaper_9 scored a goal at 9:01 AM 0 RuM0urS