Hilderinc Football Club

After three months of a wretched run of defeats, the longsuffering Hilderincs finally secured the first win in an EFL game, but in a reorganised friendly against the British Club as supposed to the originally penciled league fixture between the two.

Devoid of a goalkeeper, and with only half a centreback, the depleted Blacks were in no state to fulfill competitive obligations, especially since the earlier outing ended in a crashing 6-0 defeat peppered with numerous self-induced errors back in October, so there was grateful content when the league and opponents graciously proposed a friendly instead.

Installing defender Sean Rajah in goal and deploying midfield Al Shafiq Bakhitar in the heart of defence, pegged the pressing void, while the mobilisation from Hilderinc Twā gave the Hilderincs a matchday squad to play, but was far from competitive worthy, a reason for the downgrade in the fixture grade, the same could be said of the opponents who were missing their choice players themselves.

However, though with genuine dearth, the Blacks were first of the blocks and wasted little time to scrutinise the Brit’s backline with repeated foray and were almost reward as early as in the 10th minute when Fahmy Barker saw his attempt bounce of the crossbar after he found himself through behind the fullbacks.

But at the other end, while looking confident, the stand-in keeper, had a heart in mouth when his flap almost resulted in a comical error, but his cat-like recovery saved him the blushes, while giving him the two seconds for the camera moment.

Having had troubled the BC’s centreback into a backpass moments earlier, the Hilderincs forced the issue once again when Nicholas Ledenmark sent his trademark punt for Ian Morris to chase, and as before, uncertainty at back resulted in the skipper pickpocketing the hesitate goalkeeper to put it into the back of the net with aplomb for the opener.

Within three minutes the Blacks extended their lead when another high press by Melvin Sim sending Fahmy Barker through and place the ball on the platter for Ian Morris to tap in for his brace, giving the Hilderincs a rare comfortable outlook.

The Hilderincs needed little more than 8minutes to further edge forward when Omar Mahnin turned provider when his precise touch put Ryan Ng behind the British Club defence to sidefoot for his goal on his return to the side after three years, and an ACL injury.

With the quartet of Fahmy Barker, Omar Mahnin, Ryan Ng and Ian Morris, creating non-stop nuisance in and around the BC defensive third, a fourth goal would have been a reasonable consequence, especially after Ian Morris’ deft header put Omar Mahnin for a sure goal, but the Dutchman’s shot was parried away by the goalkeeper for a corner instead.

While the midfield and new-look defence was at its peak, the closing minutes of the half turn nervy when British Club gathered more initiative to drive at the Blacks, with perennially tormentor, James Mcllhagga hitting the crossbar with his strike, and later winning a penalty and scoring from it with just minutes to spare.

Four goals, and both sides hitting the crossbar, the game had all the ingredients for an entertaining show.

But as shown frequently over the course of the season so far, the Hilderincs were slow starters at the restart, and were duly held to the cosh as the British Club vehemently sought a way back into the game immediately.

While the combination of stoic defending and goalkeeping kept the opponents at bay, the Hilderincs lost composure, looking unlike what they were in the first period, with aimless long balls and lacking in control of the game, leaving them running after shadows or resetting every move without tangible end product.

The fall off was punished when the Brits pulled another goal back within 8minutes, though debatably, after the ball was bundled into the back of the net following a brilliant save from Sean Rajah cannoning off the woodwork, but though Al Shafiq looked to have been fouled in the process, the goal was allowed to stand by the referee, who had a curious afternoon.

With the prospect of losing a three-goal lead all more probable now, the Hilderincs rang in the changes to solidify their intend, and the ruthless alternations had a positive impact, with the Blacks gaining control of the game once more.

The Blacks did finish off the game on the hour when Omar Mahnin, who had been knocking on the door for much of the game, finally added his name to the chart when he profited from the BC goalkeeper’s spillage, after the dropped Nabil Zahrif’s freekick at the feet on the poacher.

While the win would be pleasing, especially coming on the end of a terrible period, the fact that the squad was not competitive ready was brought to the fore, especially when changes were made, and with this being the last game of the year, a good rest would be beneficial as the Hilderincs hope to return in 2023 with the injury woes lessen, and more of the Blacks return.

“We takes losses in our stride, and celebrate the small wins” -Faith Chan, Hilderinc Lady-

Equatorial Football League Friendly

British Club 2 : Hilderinc FC 4

Goals: Ian Morris 16’ 19’, Ryan Ng 27’, Omar Mahnin 63’

[Assist: Fahmy Barker 19’, Omar Mahnin 27’, Nabil Zahrif 63’]

Starting Line-up

1. Sean Rajah

2. Thuwun Soe

3. Nicholas Ledenmark

4. Al Shafiq Bakhitar

5. Sergey Darovskikh

6. Davy Dujardin

7. Melvin Sim

8. Fahmy “Ollie” Barker

9. Ryan Ng

10. Ian Morris

11. Tan Euren

Substitutes

12. Basil Al Barr

13. Craigton Gan

14. Nabil Zahrif

15. Omar Mahnin

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