Tornados B 0 - 3 NYP : Flat Performance from the Beez

After their monumental effort last week the Beez looked very flat this week against a young NYP team anchored by some experienced heads. Once again availability was a major problem. Despite Rahul and Misso returning early from injury the Beez lined up with only 12 players against an opposition with a full bench.

The Beez dominated the early exchanges but lacked any real punch up front and soon fell 1-0 down after some sloppy marking. This was made 2-0 close to half time when Garf was only able to force a 1 on 1 wide and the NYP forward coolly slotted the ball in off the shoulder of Towers who had made a valiant slide across the goal.

In the second half NYP frequently caught a tiring Beez team on the break but the defence held firm until 10 minutes from the end when NYP scored with a very well worked deflected PC goal.

Tornados did have a few chances to grab a goal back but never really troubled the NYP keeper.

The Beez will be looking for a better performance tomorrow against SCC B

MotM : George

DotD : none really but Towners can have it for his yellow card

Ladies 2nd XI vs SCC

The second game of the season saw the Ladies 2^nd XI facing a typically strong SCC outfit on a hot and muggy afternoon down at Sengkang. Fresh off the back of an encouraging game against the Tornados Ladies 1^st XI the week before the 2's were fired up and ready to give the SCC a real test.

SCC probably started the better of the two teams but the Tornados defensive line and midfield quartet broke down play well and started to knock the ball around extremely nicely in patches. Once again Suzanne looked to be on form as she saved a number of fine shots from the SCC strikers and she was ably supported from an impressive back line of Abi V, Jennie, Debs and Pei Ling. The girls also looked strong on the counter attack and had some strong shouts for short corners turned away by the (dare I say it biased) SHF umpires. It was tough for the girls not to get their rewards after so much hard work (Lynn even pushing herself to the brink of cardiac arrest!) and even more frustrating that they were also playing against the umpires as well. Despite all of their efforts the girls went into the half-time break 2-0 down – and in fairness the goals that were conceded were nothing special either!

Half time came at a good time for the girls and it gave them the much-needed opportunity to re-group and re-set themselves for the second half. Whatever Joran said in the changing room at half-time seemed to have an immediate effect as Tornados came out of the blocks quickly and looked to capitalise on some aggressive pressing and forward momentum. Special mentions go to Annalise, Samantha & Doro who started to boss the midfield portion of the pitch distributing nicely to the wide players and forwards whilst under a great amount of pressure from a dogged SCC team. However, probably against the run of play at the time, SCC fashioned another opening and punished the Tornados again. 3-0.

Even at 3-0 down the girls never once moaned about the heat, about losing the ball away or indeed the umpires complete lack of competency. I'm not sure how they did this especially in reference to the last point as in parts it was bordering on ridiculous. The last goal which made it 4-0 will be put down to horrific umpiring and discounted in the THC result archive. If anyone wants a description of it ask Mitch – he was still annoyed about it on Sunday evening! In short the SCC girl hit the ball from around half a mile outside the D off a short-corner and the goal stood. I spoke to the goal scorer after the game and she was embarrassed about scoring it – not as embarrassed as the umpire should have been though. Anyway....

A loss at the end of the day but another major stride for the girls who keep impressing with each week that passes. From where they were last season to where they are now is testament to all of the hard work they are putting in at the training ground. Keep it up girls!

Congrats to Abi V who was voted MVP by the rest of the team – a long time overdue and a big improvement on her green card exploits from the week before!

Coach Kris

Tornados Beez 0 - 3 Hollandse A

The Tornados B's put up an admirable performance in their first game since stepping up to Division 1. Cut down late to just 13 players due to an injury to Rahul and with Simmo and Anton both having the lurgy, meaning that it was always going to be a tough day.

Starting slowly as ever the Beez carelessly gave the ball away in the first few minutes allowing the Dutch to grab an early goal. After that the Beez really stuck to their task and held the Dutch to 1-0 at half time. Josh, Nick and George fought hard in the middle of the pitch and the back three of Towners, Yoda and Rego thwarted the Dutch time and time again. The Dutch managed 2 second half goals but this was a really promising performance from the Beez.

MotM - the Fat Cat

DotD - Kotters

Ladies Derby - Ladies 2s

On a typically stinking hot day down at Sengkang we saw our new look Ladies 2^nd XI taking on our Ladies 1^st XI in the opening game of the 2012 season. Over the past few months the girls have put in a tremendous amount of effort with a large majority of them never picking a stick up before and a few returning from a good few years out of the sport as well.

 

It's always a daunting task playing against your own clubs first XI but the girls were well prepared and raring to go on what would go on to be an extremely positive and rewarding first outing. Last season the ladies 2's turned out to be the 'whipping-girls' of the division and it is safe to say that this will not be the case this term. Defensively we looked very strong backed up by an awesome display from our new star in goal, Suzanne. I've never seen somebody take to a position so quickly and look so natural – even with all of those pads on! Despite being a little bit short of numbers in midfield we battled hard and closed down space well – reducing the threat of the Ladies 1's playmakers. Reachelle looked equally assured up front as well as in a defensive role and she is going to be a constant threat this season for the 2's.

 

Last season the girls were extremely limited with options going forward but by winning a short corner in the second half we have beaten our previous seasons best already. I'm going to predict that the girls will cause a few upsets this season and when we have our full quota of players we will be a difficult team to break down.

 

Great start to the season girls and keep up the good work!

 

Ps. We lost 3-0 but that was the only negative of the day J

 

Kris Emerton

Ladies 2s Coach