Penang Sports Club vs Ramblers Orange
There was a surprise in store for Ramblers players as there were quite a few teenagers making their debuts for 'the senior team' after playing several rounds for the 'junior team' Jit Sin School. The most intriguing partnership was in central defence with playmaker Pei sitting at the back with a youngster whose name I've forgotten (many apologies). With other youngsters featuring at left, right back & goalkeeper, it was an experimental backline but with the match only being billed as a friendly, Michael was happy to give the Jit Sin boys a run out against an experienced line up.
Ramblers started very well with Jason and Derek forming a solid partnership in central midfield, frustrating the opposition with intelligent positioning and decisive interceptions. Ramblers scored to put the black shirted players ahead - with justification but then the injury that changed the game - the left back went down and struggled to continue. He was taken off, a central midfielder was put on with Derek moving to left back. Mustapha identified this as the moment where the game changed and I wouldn't disagree with him!
I got this lovely set of stud marks from Jason 30 seconds before our goal but
unbeknownst to me, I gave him his own set in the 2nd half!
Penang Sports Club then managed to find a bit of freedom in midfield and started to break into the attacking third which they previously failed to do. It wasn't long before an equaliser came - from a bad catch from the goalkeeper. A high ball was lofted in towards the far post, the young man caught it but with the wet conditions, the ball dropped out of his hands when he landed and trickled over the line. The second goal we conceded came from a bad clearance as a ball whipped in from the left was half cleared by Pei's partner - straight to their deadliest striker, Alan - a mere 18 yards from goal. The third goal (and probably nail in the coffin) came from a bad decision by Derek as he tried to step up to play Ah Tong offside. When the yellow flag didn't go up, the experience of the striker made sure the left back paid for his lack of judgement.
The second half saw a reshuffle with many of the substitutes given a run out and Derek partnering 'Vision' in midfield. They and Jason (and later 'Makelele') all linked up well in a 5 man midfield with there being many neat passes between them. The best combination saw the youngster and Derek playing a one two allowing the latter to hit a first time shot past the PSC keeper - straight into the middle of the post! The lanky midfielder also had the second best chance of the match when a great cross from the left found Derek alone on the penalty spot. Sadly he couldn't twist his head enough to steer it into the side of the goal and out went the second best and last chance of the match for Ramblers. Despite all their hard work to put pressure on the back four, the black team struggled to create any notable chances in the last 20 minutes.
This was possibly because the backline had a lot to cope with! Penang Sports Club created a lot of chances stretching the defence and were playing their own combination of passes in front of our defence. We were fortunate to get away with just one goal in the second half.
However it was a great workout in fantastic drizzly conditions and more importantly a time to blood some youngsters. They were impressive - they could control and looked extremely comfortable on the ball, they looked for simple passes, they were athletic and worked hard when Ramblers didn't have the ball - basically all the attributes Derek wished all his KDU players had! It was obvious that they had played together and trained well under Eric for several years. With such potential, Ramblers Orange could be strong for another few years yet.
Ramblers started very well with Jason and Derek forming a solid partnership in central midfield, frustrating the opposition with intelligent positioning and decisive interceptions. Ramblers scored to put the black shirted players ahead - with justification but then the injury that changed the game - the left back went down and struggled to continue. He was taken off, a central midfielder was put on with Derek moving to left back. Mustapha identified this as the moment where the game changed and I wouldn't disagree with him!
I got this lovely set of stud marks from Jason 30 seconds before our goal butunbeknownst to me, I gave him his own set in the 2nd half!
Penang Sports Club then managed to find a bit of freedom in midfield and started to break into the attacking third which they previously failed to do. It wasn't long before an equaliser came - from a bad catch from the goalkeeper. A high ball was lofted in towards the far post, the young man caught it but with the wet conditions, the ball dropped out of his hands when he landed and trickled over the line. The second goal we conceded came from a bad clearance as a ball whipped in from the left was half cleared by Pei's partner - straight to their deadliest striker, Alan - a mere 18 yards from goal. The third goal (and probably nail in the coffin) came from a bad decision by Derek as he tried to step up to play Ah Tong offside. When the yellow flag didn't go up, the experience of the striker made sure the left back paid for his lack of judgement.
The second half saw a reshuffle with many of the substitutes given a run out and Derek partnering 'Vision' in midfield. They and Jason (and later 'Makelele') all linked up well in a 5 man midfield with there being many neat passes between them. The best combination saw the youngster and Derek playing a one two allowing the latter to hit a first time shot past the PSC keeper - straight into the middle of the post! The lanky midfielder also had the second best chance of the match when a great cross from the left found Derek alone on the penalty spot. Sadly he couldn't twist his head enough to steer it into the side of the goal and out went the second best and last chance of the match for Ramblers. Despite all their hard work to put pressure on the back four, the black team struggled to create any notable chances in the last 20 minutes.
This was possibly because the backline had a lot to cope with! Penang Sports Club created a lot of chances stretching the defence and were playing their own combination of passes in front of our defence. We were fortunate to get away with just one goal in the second half.
However it was a great workout in fantastic drizzly conditions and more importantly a time to blood some youngsters. They were impressive - they could control and looked extremely comfortable on the ball, they looked for simple passes, they were athletic and worked hard when Ramblers didn't have the ball - basically all the attributes Derek wished all his KDU players had! It was obvious that they had played together and trained well under Eric for several years. With such potential, Ramblers Orange could be strong for another few years yet.
(written by reporter Derek)
Penang Sports Club 1 vs 4 Ramblers Orange
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