SCS Cup 2014 Round 1: PMC vs ABC1 (30th March)

SCS cup 2014, unlike past seasons, was played in the midst of the league season instead of after the league games had concluded. This cup round brought PMC to Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School, a first for many of PMC's Easties. Rain drizzled around Yishun in the afternoon, and as the gate to the field was inaccessible to all till about 310, the team geared up at the voiddeck across the field.

Players getting ready at the void deck while waiting for the school field to be opened

Thank God that when the field was eventually accessible, the rain had stopped and weather was almost perfect for a good game of soccer. Kevin led singspiration, followed with a devotion on the Beattitudes (Matthew 5: 3-12), with the key sharing on verse 5: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth.

PMC line-up:

Joel

Andy - Weijie - Jacob - Eddie

Jem - Tim

JZ - Kee Min - Rusydi

Lincoln



ABC kicked off the game, spreading the ball to the left and attacking down PMC left flank. A loose ball around the left corner flag was not cleared and ABC managed to whip in a wicked cross that swerved past everyone in the penalty box, hitting straight at PMC far post before going into the net. A very fortunate start for ABC, as they lead 1-0 at the first minute. PMC fought hard to get themselves back into the game, as they kept ABC many times in their own half. JZ, Rusdyi and Lincoln all had chances and shots at goal but fortunately for ABC, attempts were not converted. Just before half-time, ABC earned a free-kick in PMC half and they pushed many players into PMC penalty box. The cross came in and ABC's strong Uncle Tan was able to win the first aerial header across goal to his unmarked team-mate at the far post who shot straight at Joel, who could only parry it to another ABC player with no problem in placing the ball into the net.

 Getting ready for kick-off

 Eddie takes the throw-in

 PMC defends against the ABC1 throw

2nd half changes: Sam came on for Jem, YJ for Lincoln and Kevin for Eddie.

PMC started the second half with the same dominance in possession of the ball, keeping ABC in their half as was in the first half. Jem Tan came in for YJ in the last 15mins as PMC continued to push aggressively for goals. Rus saw plenty of the ball down the right, and using his pace all so often to beat ABC leftback that ABC devoted a fast player to man-mark Rus. So it came to no surprise that this battle caused PMC the first injury as Rus went down with cramps from his many sprints, and was substituted by Felix, with Andy now pushing up to RM, and Felix to RB. PMC's goal came when a through ball was collected by JZ (offside or not was subjective), and given his pace, ABC could not catch him and JZ finished in style. PMC continued to push and fight hard, however another injury befall them. Jacob over-exerted in a tackle and was next in line to go down with cramps,  subsequently replaced by Michael, who shift to LB, Kevin to LM, Sam slotting in next to WJ. Injuries to both key PMC players impacted the play as the shape of the team got messy and ABC were able to counter attack on numerous occasion, but Joel showed top class saves and urgency to keep PMC in the game.

Referee soon called the cup game to a close and Jacob closed in prayer.

FT: PMC 1 ABC 2.

Team photo after the match. To emphasise that we lost, Daniel Low points to the Man U crest.