Singapore Chinese Recreation Club
17th March 2007
9am
PlayersGK : Bro Sidney
DF : Brian, Bro Lawrence, Kaixin, David
MF: Melvin, Clement, Galvin, Ben, Alex,
ST : JJ, Charlie, Eric
AWOLNil
ResultTeam TCC 1 - 0
IGNYTE(Halftime : 0-0)
ScorersGalvin
Yellow CardsNil
By Brian LimIt was in the blistering heat of a Saturday morning that the 6th and latest edition of the quarterly game between Team TCC and IGNYTE kicked off. Dubbed the "Trinity Derby", the previous 5 games had produced 4 wins and a draw for the senior team. Coming into this game, Team TCC had yet to lose in 2007 and the players did not expect the record to fall at the hands of IGNYTE.
However, even before the kick-off, team politics combined with unfortunate last minute withdrawals seemed to put the record under threat. Captain Gary was withdrawn to allow his knee to recover from an injury suffered in the last match, while Darren and Michael 'mysteriously' appeared on the lineup of the IGNYTE side. More drama followed in the minutes prior to kick off with revelation that a player had failed to turn up for Team TCC, while on the IGNYTE side, goalkeeper Wesley failed to turn up. Despite stand-in Captain Melvin's protests, a quickly thought scheme by the IGNYTE side to poach Team TCC's players succeeded partially, with Eric to turn up for the yellow team in the first half, and JJ to turn up in between the posts for the Ignytians in the second period. The drama ensured a fierce but friendly contest would be on the cards.
Kick off saw a frentic start to the game. While weakened by the lost of their No.1 custodian, IGNYTE paraded 2 new faces which posed an unfamiliar danger to Team TCC. In the opening minutes of the half, Team TCC had the lion's share of the possesion had many good, clear chances. Striker JJ bundled 2 glittering chances over the bar when it seemed easier to put it in the back of the net, which IGNYTE stand-in goalkeeper Nicholas made 2 fantastic saves. The long ball tactics of IGNYTE failed to trouble the Team TCC defence with the towering David Chng snuffing out every IGNYTE pass.
In the latter minutes of the first half, however, the younger and fitter legs of IGNYTE started to show their worth. Passes started to go astray, and the tiring Team TCC players found it hard to chase every single pass. Bouyed by the temporary but important presence of Eric in their team, IGNYTE slowly began to find their footing and started to attack more. Several bad calls by the referee did not help help Team TCC, and IGNYTE's first chance came when a free kick was given on the edge of the TCC box. Nonetheless, Team TCC goalkeeper Bro Sidney was rarely troubled in the first half and it ended nil all.
Second half saw JJ switched over to become IGNYTE goalkeeper, and Eric making a return to the green of Team TCC. After months of waiting, Eric was finally given his chance as striker, and the move seemed to reap immediate dividends. A through ball from Brian gave Eric his first touch as striker, and his physical presence seemed to intimidate the smaller sized IGNYTE players who did not dare to tackle him. It was Team TCC all the way in the first 15mins of the seecond half as Ben's through passes seemed to find Eric almost magnetically.
On one such foray down the right flank, Galvin took on the IGNYTE defence and won. Stuck on the flank, he conjured a dipping shot that was disguised as a cross, and JJ could only look on as the ball floated into the upper left corner of the net. GOAL! There were questions asked of his true intentions, but it was still a goal Ronaldinho would be proud of.
In the middle of the second half, a goal scored by Eric was disallowed for a supposed foul on JJ. Eric then had to go off due to a back injury, and Alex came on as striker. It was a move that almost paid off as Alex controlled a lobbed pass with a sublime first touch and nearly scored with his side footed shot. On that occasion, JJ was well and truly beaten but not the upright.
However, JJ saved the IGNYTE team on countless occasions. A quickly taken free kick by Brian saw Ben send a rasping shot that seemed bound for the bottom right corner of the goal, only to see JJ palming the ball to safety. The shock of almost going two down provided the catalyst for IGNYTE's revival, as the Ignytians finally woke up and started to attack more. A free kick taken by Mark caused major confusion in the Team TCC penalty box, and the ball was poked into the back of the Team TCC in the ensuing chaos. Alas, the offside whistle denied IGNYTE their goal. Two good passes saw Darren thru on goal twice with only the keeper to beat, and had not Bro Sidney conjure up 2 outstanding saves , Darren would have cemented his position as the Judas of Team TCC. The second half ended with IGNYTE dominating the game but with no goal to show for their efforts.
In the end, the experience of Team TCC proved to be the difference, inspite of IGNYTE's much superior fitness. The scoreline indicates a vastly improved performance from the Ignytians, although they would be disappointed that they have been consigned to a 5th defeat. For Team TCC, it was a largely disappointing performance, given their usual high standards. Already, they would be thinking of setting things right, especially the scoreline, in the 7th edition of the "Trinity Derby".
