Match #50 (25 Nov 2012): Sunday Derby Episode 3 - They Were Getting Better But Same Outcome.

Episode 3 of the Sunday derby ended with the same outcome although the scoreline didn't look as convincing as the 1st 2 encounters. But we could have bettered the previous scoreline, had it not been their keeper's heroics in the 2nd half and the referee's dubious decisions in the 1st half to judge KH offside when he clearly beat the line and then deny Gan a crystal-clear penalty when he was blatantly brought down by their keeper. The referee did apologise to KH for the error during the break but it couldn't be undone.

Opening encounter was very edgy and we had to rely on their defensive errors to get our 1st 2 goals in the 1st half. Teck Chye capitalised on a poor clearance and went on to find the net. Sunday FC's last man further compounded their misery when he converted Teck Wah's teasing cross into an own goal. Mike widened the lead in early 2nd half when he jumped well to nod KH's corner for our 3rd goal before our sloppiness at the back gifted Sunday FC's 1st goal. Teck Chye then rounded the keeper before setting Gan up for our 4th goal and Sunday FC responded with a brilliant piece of work in tight space in our box and their chief striker reduced the deficit.

A satisfying 4-2 win nevertheless, despite a smaller margin this time round.

Match #49 (18 Nov 2012): Finished off FFF

Another young team, another inevitable outcome. Both sides had sufficient numbers to cope with the Sunday scorching sun, still players were pleased to be substituted. In contrast to AVB's claim that Spurs were in control in last night's north London derby from first minute to the last, we clearly were dominant in the first half. Kok Hock scored from a free kick near the corner post and Chye smashed one smartly into the bottom corner after a clever lay-off from brother Wah.  That we did not score more was our way of making life exciting for ourselves. 

Second half saw a spirited fight back from FFF. They scored through a well taken free kick and then equalized after some eye-catching exchange of passes. The game was poised nicely on knife edge as FFF was clearly freely and fanatically fired-up whilst our old heads contemplated how to wrest back the initiative. Yet, under the searing heat, play from both sides was stuttering rather than purring and it became clear that it a moment of magic would determine the direction of the match. It came from a long defence-splitting pass from inside our half played with the outside of the foot which allowed Chye to stride in, round the keeper and stroke the ball into the net. Wah then made the game safe with a thumping header after Mel had created the space to free Gan to deliver the superb cross. 

A satisfying 4-2 win. 

Match #48 (11 Nov 2012): We Removed The Sting Out of Venom

Against one of our regular opponents, Venom, which comprises mostly a bunch of ex-Commandos and hence the team name with a scorpion as insignia, with the unbearable heat, and absence of a few regular players, we were mostly at the receiving end throughout the match. But for all their lion share of the possession, they only managed to get into our box twice and each time they were close to scoring. Apart from those couple of golden chances, they resorted to shooting from distance which Brandon had no real issue dealing with them. Then we dished out a couple of sucker punches in 2nd half from our hotshot Teck Wah - one directly from a corner and his second went through keeper's legs - and Venom knew it just wasn't their day. Very certain they have revenge in their mind when we meet again next week.

Marine Sunday 2: Venom 0

Match #47 (4 Nov 2012): Made Whirlwind Wanderers Wonder

Our youngest player Gan used to play for Whirlwind Wanderers and since then they have rejuvenated. How doubly old we are comparatively. Yet, as usual, we thrive on such opportunities to defy old age.

WW was never a threat in the first half as we controlled the tempo despite the hot sun. Gan put us in the lead which was extended by Wah. Mel's teasing corner curved over the keeper and we thought we were in cruise control. A lapse allowed WW into the match and they enthusiastically attempted a fightback. Then another goal - cue players rushing into the net to pick the ball out and put it in the centre circle.

Was a capitulation on the cards? We regained the initiative with some composed play and a cross field ball found Wah who lobbed the keeper with finesse. That broke WW's spirited endeavor. Final score 4-2.