Hilderinc Football Club

It finally happened at the fifth time of asking for the Hilderincs as they, over duly, recorded their first ESPZEN Saturday League win since their migration from Sunday league football with a well-worked display against Hiadis FC.

Under the stewardship of Logaraj Sundram, a sign towards future developments in the Club, the Blacks contrasted their last visit to Jurong with an incisive response to their recent travails of matching results with performance.

Still with some conspiring elements trying to curtail the Hilderincs’ objectives of the day with inclement weather, the kickoff brought relief, though the fast waterlogging pitch cast their memories to their tie against Vietnam United a month ago.

With early possession stats favouring the opponents, the Blacks who started off the blocks slower, had keeper Axel Blomgren to thank for in the opening minutes when the Swede stretched every inch to make himself taller than he is to put off the Hiadis forward who, otherwise had a clean run on goal.

Having survived the early scare, the Hilderincs had to dip in deeper and were correctly rewarded when Rama Witjaksono’s doggedness won the ball in the middle for Rahmat Saring, who in turn played the most telling pass to Sashikumar Mahathevan to delightfully dink the onrushing keeper on his return after a three month absence.

Though the advantage was with the Blacks, the home side were still right in the mix and Axel Blomgren had to use his height again to tip over an unattended shot over the crossbar.

Within minutes, the Hilderincs were forced into an early substitution when Nejat Mena had to be withdrawn due to a hamstring injury and will now face a lengthy spell on the treatment table.

The introduction of Sam Thorley in his stead provided the much needed forte to the backline, allowing the midfield to focus on creating nuisance where it hurts most.

However, it was the defender for the day who had his say when he picked the ball at the edge of the box and ghosted past all while linking up with Rahmat Saring, who replied the compliments to the Brit who needed no second invitation to complete the move with a thumping strike to double the Hilderincs’ lead inside twenty minutes.

With the second, the momentum switched slightly towards the Blacks, though Hiadis were ready to ask questions in the pelting rain and difficult pitch, which did their part in stifling both teams in good measure into the break.

The restart offered very little in the way of playing pitch, as either sides would have been happy to string two complete passes without being halted by the puddles, though conditions improved as the water subsides as the play went on but not ideal by any means.

Despite that, the Blacks were a tad more productive in their exertions, coming close with efforts from Rahmat Saring and Logaraj Sundram, while Sam Thorley’s header off a corner was denied by the crossbar.

Just as the Hilderincs were dominating the proceedings, the Hiadis were presented a lifeline through calamitous circumstances when couple of uncontrolled and inadvertent bounces inside the six yard box led to the ball being bundled over the line despite desperate attempts to keep it out, ensuring a nervy final third of the game for the Blacks.

Sensing a likely opportunity for a comeback, Hiadis FC pulled out the stops and poured forward at every attempt, and it took a brave save from Lim Yong Kiat and a goalline clearance by Sam Thorley to preserve the Blacks lead.

Had not Rahmat Saring been denied by the keeper, Logaraj Sundram sent his open header over from under the bar, Serhat Dalbeyler’s striker hit the woodwork, or the Hadis keeper personally thwarting the Hilderincs in the closing minutes, the scoreline would have been more comprehensive, but it was full marks for the resolve of the Blacks to work hard for their first win of the season.

With a step taken at the right direction, the Hilderincs will have to keep going from now till the end of the season, where all it still there to play for.

Final Score

Hiadis FC 1 : Hilderinc FC 2

Goals: Sashikumar Mahathevan, Sam Thorley

MOM: Axel Blomgren

Yellow Cards: Jon Loh, Logaraj Sundram

Starting Line Up

1. Axel Blomgren

2. Nejat Mena

3. Wong Yih-Khai

4. Sunny Tharidu

5. Kumaresan Maniam

6. Rama Witjaksono

7. Serhat Dalbeyler

8. Sashikumar Mahathevan

9. David Calvert

10. Rahmat Saring

11. Mathew Joseph

Substitutions

12. Lim Yong Kiat

13. Steve Tan

14. Jon Loh

15. Sam Thorley

16. Glenn Sandhu

17. Simon Ackland

18. Logaraj Sundram

19. Ian Morris

• ESPZEN Saturday League 17 Division 2

• HFC ESPZEN League 17 Season Player Stats

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