Hilderinc Football Club

Contrary to previous lethargic return to league action following a null in competitive fixture, Hilderinc FC put on an inspiring display to overcome TGA Strollers FC in an engrossing ESPZEN Saturday League tie.

Billed as a must-win game in a tough Division, the Blacks, backed by an imperious defensive demonstration, were at their tenacious best as they starved-off the Stroller with their intent, rightfully earning all three points.

With objectives clearly spelt out, it was all-action from the Hilderincs as they pressed and hurried the Strollers inside their own half, denying any opportunity to indeed stroll their way out of it with anything significant.

For all the speculative attempts in trying to pry the Strollers, the Blacks kept the best for the 20th minute when Alberto Bartoli played a weighted ball for Sam Thorley, before the midfielder unleashed yet another unstoppable cracker from distance for the lead.

Though the proceedings leading up to the break after the Hilderinc goal were largely uneventful, the Blacks were in no danger of any mishap, even though a change in formation had a tad of discomfort within the ranks, but it was collective effort all around.

The restart, as anticipated, saw the Strollers take on a more active approach as they sought to draw parity as soon as they could, hence the Blacks were unwillingly seeing more of their own half as compared to in the first period.

And in truth, the Hilderincs, once forsaken by lady luck, had her to thank for when a thumping Strollers’ shot on the edge of the box cracked the crossbar with Gopal Peethambaran well beaten.

However, not to be undone, Serhat Delbeyler, breaking swiftly following a corner, run almost the entire length of the pitch before picking his spot with the measured strike, but with the Strollers’ keeper stranded, the ball bounced off the crossbar, making it the fifth time in four successive games that the Hilderincs have been denied in the same manner.

And with that, the Blacks regained some control of the tie once again, though they did have Gopal in goal to thank for after he pull off two saves against the run of play to safe guard their advantage.

The last ten minutes were a tale of a dubious referee, who chalked off a well-worked and legitimate goal by Omar Mahnin, who was adjudged to have been offside when he was clearly behind the ball when he put the ball into the back of the net, while he showed two yellow cards to the Hilderincs while letting the Strollers off for more severe misdemeanour, and of course a hat full of high profile misses which could have sealed a more comfortable win for the Blacks.

However, there was no taking away from the Hilderincs the plaudits as they showed true grit and team spirit.

Additionally, amongst the many notable mentions, the Blacks were well pleased to see Mike Rooke returned to action after a lengthy absence due to a knee injury, and perform like he never missed a day, while the full marks were given to several others who displayed venerable attitude.

As the fixtures come thick and fast, the focus now turns to Mariners 11 FC, where another testing encounter awaits the Hilderincs.

Final Score

Hilderinc FC 1 : TGA Strollers FC 0

Goal: Sam Thorley

MOM: Denis Lobov

Yellow Cards: Sunny Tharidu, Denis Lobov

Starting Line Up

1. Gopal Peethambaran

2. Mike Rooke

3. Denis Lobov

4. Antonio Cerveró

5. Steve Tan

6. Sam Thorley

7. Rama Witjaksono

8. Sashikumar Mahathevan

9. Rahmat Saring

10. Ian Morris

11. Alberto Bartoli

Substitutions

12. Omar Mahnin

13. Simon Ackland

14. Sunny Tharidu

15. Wong Yih-Khai

16. Nicholas Ledenmark

17. Jon Loh

18. Serhat Dalbeyler

• ESPZEN Saturday League 17 Division 2

• HFC ESPZEN League 17 Season Player Stats

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