After two weekends of amphibian football in the paddy fields of Turf City, it was back to terra firma on Saturday at the Punggol Secondary School – but relief was short-lived once early arrivals had checked out the lethal lunar landscape running the length of the middle of the pitch where sharp, jagged mountain ranges threatened to rasp skin, test tendons and seriously crimp ball control. And it was the Hibernians, again.
All round, it was a subdued performance by both teams – the kind of that TV shows last in the weekend’s edited match highlights. Defences cancelled out attackers and midfielders strived to make sense of the difficult conditions. Both keepers acquitted themselves well.
The first half saw the BC edge possession, but too often shots were blocked outside the penalty area and we failed to get down to the byline to find a way past a resolute Hibs backline. At the other end, the BC defence held firm except for one swift Hibs counter attack that ended with the shaven-headed striker netting from close range, only to be adjudged offside – harshly, according to BC substitutes in line with play.
Goalless at half-time, the BC still had their noses in front thanks to the muddy 4-3 1st leg win. SM went close to stretching that lead with a shot against a post and then contrived to scuff a shot that was virtually on the goal line. AP thumped over from distance.
JL pulled off a smart save when Hibs bore down on his goal and, with around 10 minutes to go, JR gave away a foul on the edge of the box. A halfhearted BC wall was formed and the Hibs playmaker tapped the ball inside the right upright – only for the referee to disallow the goal as he had not blown his whistle, triggering more howls of protest from the Hibs bench. The retaken free kick went horribly wrong.
The BC then broke away, with GT feeding SM, who advanced to the edge of the Hibs box, didn’t fancy his chances and touched it inside to CB who, almost apologetically, stroked home into the far corner. 1-0. But there was still time for the home side to strike back as the clock ticked down. AP failed to clear a loose ball that was driven home to give Hibs a consolation equalizer.
JL continues to impress in goal. CB was the sole goalscorer. The BC defence looked tight enough, with AP and JR in tandem, aided by newcomer CS, AM and the returning GA. The pitch did for IG’s weak left angle, hobbling off with half an hour remaining.
There was no shortage of industry in midfield – and look no further than GT, (older) JR or BM for man of the match. DH flicked and caressed the ball but this was a tough venue for his silky skills. Wide right, MJ was the source for much of what came forward to a strikeforce of NG, SM and CB, who all battled gamely but were up against some no-nonsense defenders. In the last five minutes, the BC brought on a second debutant, KR of Denmark, who had a couple of breakaway chances to seal victory. Skipper AL’s might and muscle was missed, while our very own walking wardrobe malfunction, CA, was on a corporate freebie to the Superbowl. MB was a late withdrawal.
With GA, MJ and TC leaving Singapore this summer, we’ll need new blood to keep up our double-barreled onslaught on both the EFL and ESPZEN.
So, BC through to the EFL Cup Quarter-final against surprise package Credit Suisse, and a second win in the ESPZEN, but the weekend’s matches very much overshadowed by news of IB’s hospitalisation. Our thoughts are with him for a speedy recovery and with his family.
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