What a crowd. Almost an entire team of non-playing BC footballers, some injured, some simply bored on a sunny Saturday Singapore afternoon, turned out to cheer their team mates … plus WAGs, EFL officials and a group of BC cricketers supporting noisily from their distant pavilion through the bleary fug of emptied Tiger cans. Almost like a BBQ party. A few more and it would qualify for a street carnival. A dozen more and the Singapore authorities would fear a mass demonstration.
Here's the perennially injured but play-till-I-die DH, with kids. IG, resplendent in straw boater, chats animatedly with BC GM BT. KM, with son Ollie, is busy on his mobile to his agent checking out a free transfer to the Jakarta BC soccer section. Moving down the touchline, there's the king of the local bagel scene, NG, with face-painted kids and wife in tow. Skipper AL is in attendance, checking on the form and fitness of those selected for Sunday's ESPZEN match -- and keeping a wary eye on the "bulge" just in case of early delivery. Nervously going over those scrawled, handwritten notes from Thursday's ante-natal class. Hold her hand, help her breathe, think about work, pick the team, cut the umbilical cord, eat the placenta ...
Past the WAGs, there's RS and West Ham-clad son, checking out MN's two daughters, who are juggling one of the BC's garish yellow-and-purple EPL footballs. The sons of IG, AP, TC and MJ whoop and holler on the pitch next door, immersed in their own version of World Cup 2010. TG strolls, JP is shown a yellow, JJ miscues his shot.
"Jaws" is here, too, a keen follower of the BC's EFL progress, and a youthful looking older man ... must be JL's dad.
Sadly, the on-field fare failed to stir the passions of the record attendance. Late in the second half, the touchline was more like a local party on a condo terrace, with groups conversing amid the giggling and chatter of young children. All it lacked was the clink of wine and beer glasses, the greasy munch of grilled chicken pieces and the tang of cheese and pineapple sticks.
The first half was pure JK Rowling ... all Hufflepuff. Grown men hoofing the ball down a slope with little accuracy or ambition. CSFB were a far tougher side to break down than in previous meetings, and a nervy keeper was well protected by a five-man defensive shield. TA came closest to breaking the stalemate, thumping a rising shot against the crossbar.
The second period began with CSFB, the home side for this 1st-leg match, bossing the play as they took advantage of the downward slope, but their often neat approach play lacked venom in the final third, and JL was a virtual bystander in goal. Midway through the second half, TA broke through against the run of play and calmly sidefooted the BC into the lead with his fourth goal in three starts.
CSFB fought back and levelled within five minutes. A pass into a crowded penalty area was not dealt with and the ball was crossed over a static BC defence for a CSFB striker to nod in at the far post.
To their credit, BC pressed harder for a winner. AP soaked up anything thrown forward by the home side, ably assisted by Andys W and M, JR, GA and the cricketing CP. Hinge & Bracket fussed and ferried in the midfield, alongside the red-booted UN, CS and MB in the wide positions. TC ran and harried with passion and intent. Up front, MJ, TA and SM were too often asked to chase aimless balls that lacked the purpose and accuracy needed to test the CSFB backline.
With a perverse inevitability, the winner came. MJ had miscued one good chance, and another effort went wide when TA, to his right, looked better placed to score. CS and GA worked hard on the right to put over crosses that increased the pressure on a creaking defence. With the clock ticking down, another cross was floated over, MJ headed down and TC ghosted in late to stab the ball home at the far post.
Thankfully, the game was played in a good spirit, with minimal bickering and referee baiting. One accidentally high lunge by the battling TC was the nearest the game came to erupting, but quick handshakes and a helping hand swiftly defused the situation.
All in all, a good result that helps set up the second leg and, hopefully, passage to the semi-finals. JR's dogged determination and resilience at right back wins him the Man of the Match award.
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