Hilderinc Football Club

Hilderinc FC’s return to competitive league football, albeit now with a debut in the Equatorial Football League (EFL), after more than two years was anything but surreal as recently repeating undesirable habits once again resurfaced at critical moments to leave the Blacks perplexed, though immediate inquest identified excessive innocence and inexperience had a key hand to play as the Hilderincs were down, once again, by their own self-infliction.

Still without several mainstays, especially in defence, the Blacks were paper patchworked by to give a semblance of normality, though the drafting of Sam Lindley and Rex Chee from Hilderinc Twā and Socials added some depth, which otherwise would have left the side emaciated.

While the opening approach was tentative from both sides, the Exiles nearly found the back of the net inside 4mins when inattention nearly allowed the opener but a header from a corner clipped the crossbar, but this daydreaming, unfortunately would become the hallmark for the Hilderincs for good part of the afternoon.

However, despite the early attention from the Exiles, the Blacks stole the march over their opponents when they took the lead when Anthony Ferraccu marked his debut in the colours with a well-taken goal, lifting the ball over the keeper after Danzal Han had found him with a direct punt.

The Manchester-born forward almost made it a brace just couple of minutes later when flicked through by Ian Morris, put in a perfect finish, only for the ball to beat the keeper but clip off the upright.

Though the momentum had shifted with the goal, the lead lasted under 7mins before the Exiles pulled levelled, to bring both sides back to where they started, and up to the halfway point in the first half, there was very little between the two to suggest any proceeding avalanche.

In fact, the Hilderincs were unfortunate not to reclaim the lead when Danzal Han’s header from a corner was cleared off the line, though there was protestation of a possible foul on Sam Lindley left the referee unmoved.

But with barely 8mins left on the clock to the break, and suddenly, everything unhinged for the Blacks who had both immaturity and frivolity to blame when they allowed the Exiles to not only take the lead, but double it in the most bizarre manner possible, letting in the third 43seconds after conceding the second.

Totally unnecessary and imprudently the Hilderincs went into the break 1-3 down, much to their own undoing.

The second period turned out to reflect the first, as when the Blacks did have the momentum and make it uncomfortable for the opponents, they would go on and shot themselves in the foot with imposition unwarranted, which made the watch annoying at best.

Hit for further three times, the Hilderincs did reduce the deficit through an own goal, but despite extended positive play in the Exiles’ defensive third, especially in the final 15min of the game, their penchant delay a finish when it was the best thing to do, took away any opportunity to make the scoreline a little more philosophical as far as the Hilderinc narrative was concern.

While still early days, next week’s meeting against Fighting Cocks FC will give the Blacks some serious thoughts to deal with, especially after the wounds are still festering from the events of two weeks ago in the MSC Summer Cup.

Hilderinc FC 2 : Exile FC 6

Goals: Anthony Ferraccu 7’, O.G.

MOM: Anthony Ferraccu

Starting Line-up

1. Jose Kasijo

2. Sean Rajah

3. Nicholas Ledenmark

4. Sergey Darovskikh

5. Fahmy “Ollie” Barker

6. Basil Chan

7. Danzal Han

8. Anthony Ferraccu

9. Sam Lindley

10. Ian Morris

11. Mervyn Soh

Substitutes

12. Basil Al Barr

13. Nasruddin Ramli

14. Tan Euren

15. Rex Chee

A HFC Media Publication