7th Friendly VS PPCC (15 March)

PMC players gathered early at St Gabriel Secondary School to face last year's finalist- Pasir Panjang Christ Church (PPCC). This was intended to prepare the team for our next opponents who were  last year's champions- Church of Singapore (COS). There were slight drizzles before the start of the game that had eased the afternoon temperature. PPCC were in shortage of players as PMC had to lend them 4 players in Kevin, Ernest, Henry and Felix.

PMC line-up:

Michael

Samuel - Martin - Daniel Chen - Ming Kiat

Kee Min - Andrew

Chin Kai - Malcolm - Wee Long

Jacob

PMC started the game strongly as Kee Min and Andrew were able to boss the midfield from the start. There were nice build-up play from Ming Kiat, Andrew and Wee Long on the left. It was no surprise our first goal came from the left as an inviting cross from Wee Long was wrongly put into the net by the opposition CB. That had motivated PMC to press for the second. A neat ball was passed to Jacob who back-heeled it into the way of Malcolm and the latter made no mistake with the keeper to beat. Chin Kai should have made it 3-0 when he out-muscled the last man into collecting a through ball but his tamed shot went wide. On the other hand, PPCC tried to threaten PMC with a few long balls but were expertly cleared by our back four. With 10 more minutes to go for the first half, substitutions were made. This made an immediate impact as Joel tapped an accurate cross by Matthew into the net. The first half ended with PMC 3:0 PPCC.

PMC made a few changes to the second-half line-up:

Jacob

Samuel - Martin - Daniel Chen - Kevin

Kee Min - Andrew

Matthew - Malcolm - David Sng

Joel

Both Kevin and Henry returned to the team as a couples of PPCC players had arrived before the start of second half. More notably were the introduction of their pacy right wing #37 whose daunting runs on the right had put PMC under pressure. It required a combined effort from Kevin, Andrew and David to keep him at bay. On one occasion, a deep cross was sent in from right and was met by PPCC #31 who struck at first time. Samuel made a heroic attempt to block the shot but unfortunately, he had sprained his ankle as a result. Ming Kiat returned for the injured Samuel as the play resumed. PPCC's goal finally came when another similar cross was again met by #31 who made no mistake this time round. PMC's 4th goal came when Jacob robbed the ball from PPCC defence and released Malcolm to score for his second goal of the match. Late into the second half, Jacob scored from an 1-on-1 situation after receiving a delightful pass from Kevin. Second half ended with PMC 5:1 PPCC.

Although PPCC did not field their full strength team, it was still a morale-boosting victory for PMC. We are all set to face COS next Sunday! Jacob closed in prayer.

CRC 2015 Match Report #1: #PentecostDoves vs #BBTCEagles (8th March)

The first league game of PMC brought the team up north to the field of Naval Base Secondary School. PMC arrived early for the league game to receive our new kit for the coming season, a new replacement to our previous white with a bright yellow top. Special thanks to PMC church member Daryl Neo for sponsoring some proceeds to the kits. If any investors need information or compliance regulations assistance, http://www.handshakes.com.sg/ is the website to go to.

CRC league games main purpose is a gentle reminder for Christians to bear the cross as they play the sport and as they face crossroads in lives. The games are also to equip pre-believers with values to make the right decisions in life, especially the single most important decision in their lives. Ultimately the only thing that matters is the cross. As BESS is the "home" team, they led the opening S&S with worship and sharing. And with this being the season opener, it is timely as well for BESS to share about the Marriage at Cana from the Gospel, John 2:1-11, wherein the transformation of water into wine has been touted by many as the first miracle by Jesus.

 PMC Starting Lineup:

Maurice

Kevin - Daniel Chen - Martin - Daniel Low

Kee Min - Dominic

Jingzhong - Malcolm - Matthew

Timothy

First half started off with BESS dominating the opening minutes, as they were able to string successive passes on the narrow pitch and kept PMC to chasing shadows. It was no wonder that BESS took a quick early lead. A scrappy foul in the middle of the park allowed BESS to launch the first of their many set-pieces and threw in their giant players. The incoming freekick was badly judged by the backline and allowed 1.9m Kenneth to easily receive the ball and place it pass the helpless Maurice. PMC woke up from the goal and started to get a grip of the game and began to string some passes of her own. Much of the play was down the right channel as Dan Low, Dom, Mathew and Tim were able to combine to a couple of chances. Unfortunately, BESS keeper was rarely tested and they begin to grab a second. Another foul in the middle of the park saw BESS launch yet another freekick. Hesitation from the backline in going to meet the ball and to try and play a highline left the ball easily to fall to the BESS striker, who again got an easy route to placing the ball past Maurice. PMC chase and press harder from the restart and Tim was a constant threat bearing down on BESS defence. PMC finally got 1 back when Jingzhong's long ball was chased hard by the tireless Tim and he was first to the ball to put it past BESS goalkeeper. PMC begin to have the momentum in controlling the closing minutes of the first half but yet another foul in the middle of the park gave BESS the chance to restore the 2 goal lead. The freekick was launched to the far-post and who else, but 1.9m Kenneth is there to head the ball past Maurice.

HT: BESS 3 - PMC 1

Half-time changes were made to the backline as I came on for Martin and MingKiat came on for Kevin to shore up the defence. Midfielders and forwards were told to give their all for the opening 10 minutes before the bench players will come on to provide fresh legs.

Second half was all PMC as more of the ball players were involved. MingKiat, Dom and Jingzhong were seeing lots of the ball early in the second half as BESS find themselves now chasing shadows. 10 minutes on and no real goal threats came from either team. PMC begin to bring on the strong bench players, with Rus coming on for Matthew and brought an immediate impact. Rus's direct run and fast pace terrorised BESS leftback constantly, linking up well with the Dan low and Tim. Unfortunately, set pieces seems to now be the Achilles heels of PMC as yet another goal was conceded. A long ball launched into the box by BESS saw a tussel between Dan Low and BESS striker. Dan Low was adjudged to have tugged at the BESS striker, who in turn retaliated in elbowing Dan. This resulted in a red card for the BESS striker, a yellow card for Dan Low, and a direct freekick on the edge of the box for BESS. Despite placing a 6-man wall and players on the post, BESS smashed an unsavable freekick hard into the top right corner. More changes on for PMC now, as Sam came on for Dan Low, Andrew came on for Kee Min and Wee Long comes on for a tired Tim. With an extra man, PMC begin to dominate full possession now, launching waves after waves of attack on BESS. PMC got another back when a foul was made on the edge of BESS box. Up stepped Rus and he signal his return to the team after an operation with a well taken freekick that BESS goalkeeper can do nothing about. PMC made a final change with Felix coming on for Malcolm, so its 3 at the back, and 2 wingbacks. The last minutes saw BESS parking a bus in their own half, leaving only their other 1.9m striker up front to contain PMC's too little too late's attack.

FT: BESS 4 - PMC 2

PMC Scorers: Timothy, Rusydi

Pre-season Friendly vs ZPC (1st Mar)

PMC's last pre-season friendly was against a new team Zion Presbyterian Church (ZPC). PMC arrived on familiar ground at Hai Sing with 20 strong, all players eager to get a good run out before the start of the season. Jem Tan, Dom and MK also returned to the team for the first time this season.

PMC took control of the game from the very beginning, with a strong presence in midfield by Keemin Dom and Malcolm. The both teams started by trying to play down each other flanks. Although PMC was more dominant, chances created were not converted. PMC finally found the back of he net when ZPC players started to back off from the more confident PMC players. This gave Malcolm 2 opportunities to score in succession. Nearing the end of the first half, an unfortunate ricoshet from Sheldon's clearence fell nicely to the ZPC forward. Daniel who took the initial goal kick played him on side and the ball was calmly put past Maurice. The first half ended with PMC leading 2-1.

Substitutions were made in the second half to allow everyone to have a good run out. PMC continued to play well, showing the depth and strength of our squad. The most notable change was having Jingzhong to return to the centre-forward position, who score his first goal of the match by stealing a freekick taken short. Soon after an attack down the right flank by ZPC found the ball at the back of the net after an unfortunate own goal by Wei Jie. Even though the score was 3-2, PMC did not let up the pressure. A foul committed outside the box gave PMC a freekick which Dom but over the wall to slot it into the bottom left corner of the goal. Malcolm also scored another header from a corner by Henry sealed his hat trick, and constant pressure in front by Jingzhong allowed him to put one more past the keeper. It was an exciting game as PMC built momentum and confidence coming into the season. Final score PMC 6-2 ZPC.