It was strange that at 315pm, the referee had not turned up, and it was only after a phone call that we found out he had forgot about the match and was engaged at work. However Sheldon (1st half) and Mark (2nd half) played the role of referee to the best of the ability and managed to keep the match flowing as much as they could. Their efforts were greatly appreciated!
Coach William had the opportunity to meet the team for some brief introductions and had some opening words to say about attire, warm-ups and team work. It looks like there will be some expectations set in the near future where these matters are concerned. Other than that, he took an observational role as the first half was played.
PMC started the match very brightly and the first opportunity to score fell to Justin. However, he shot tamely at the on-rushing APB goalkeeper. Nonetheless, it wasn't long before PMC did find the back of the net. A quick move than the right wing found Timothy in space and he drove the ball into the net at the near post, pass the helpless APB keeper. The PMC players were glad to have made a very positive start to the match and continued to press for more goals, but the forwards were well-marked and did not have many opportunities during the half. Midfield play was generally positive with Ronnie showing some good moves and touches and the forwards did try their best to open up the defence. The play went back and forth with some periods of action, but both goalkeepers proved themselves worthy to play between the sticks. Kris especially, showed a safe pair of hands whenever he needed to parry of smother a shot. The half ended without any further goals.
During the half-time break, William took the opportunity to comment on the performance of all the players. He particularly singled out the defence for a job well done and commented that the midfielders needed to control the match more from the centre of the pitch. As for the forwards, they needed to be more mobile.
With those comments, a new look team for the 2nd half took to the field to finish the match. It wasn't long before PMC was up 2-0. Another move down the right between Bangshi, Justin and Glenn, gave Timothy some space down the byline who took the ball all the way into the 6-yard box to fire the ball into the roof of the net. Timothy looked lively and was looking for his 1st hat-trick for PMC. That came soon enough when a through ball from midfield found him with only the APB keeper to beat and he made no mistake by lifting the ball into the net. Timothy is making a strong case to be a permanent forward in the team! Being 3-0 down, APB started to pull some strings from midfield and attack down PMC's left flank. Their efforts paid dividends when a through ball found its way to a forward (appearing to be offside!) who drove the ball pass Kris. With wind in their sails, they pressed for another goal and through a move from a corner, managed to fire a shot through a wall of players into the PMC goal. With the score at 3-2, and the tide appearing to turn, PMC pressed for a goal to put the match away. A lofted ball from the right found Glenn in some space, who flicked the ball over the on-rushing APB keeper to put PMC up 4-2. With the game in the bag, PMC sought to control the match and let it end on this scoreline, which it did.
The post-match briefing by William focused a great deal on positioning and communication between team-mates. Overall, it was a positive outing for the team and an opportunity for coach and players to start to get to know one another.
Pentecost Methodist Church 4
[Scorers- Timothy Loke (3) & Glenn See Toh]
Asia Pacific Breweries 2
PMC Squad:
4.Kevin Ang 5.David Teong 6.Michael Chua 10.Justin Ang 12.John Chia 13.Samuel Eyo 14.Glenn See Toh 15.Kris Chen 16.James Lee 17.Ong Bangshi 19.Adrian Phuah 23.Jimmy Phuah 24.Timothy Loke 28.Ronnie Liew 38.Mark Leong 72.Andy Chua
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