The second game of the season saw the Ladies 2nd 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 1st 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
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