Potent combination of Alvin and Hee in league win

ARFC finally exorcised the ghost of Casanova XI by dismissing them 3-1 in a league match played at the very poor pitch at Beatty SS.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper             -           Dependable Jinzhong

Right-back       -           Marauding Guoxiong

Sweeper           -           Combative Ron

Stopper            -           Towering Toh

Left-back         -           Jasper

Left-mid          -           Unpredictable Blackburn

Centre-mid       -           Dynamic Soon

Centre-mid       -           Steely Tze Ern  

Right-mid         -           Weilit

Striker              -           Powerful Alvin (captain)

Striker              -           Speedy Hee

Subs:

Influential Sebastian

Talisman Derrick (late)

Absent:

Sublime Khim

Wonder Wayne

ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Hard-man Tjioe

Unbeatable Darren

Astute-reading sweeper Elvis

Mean-machine Hock

Talented Chun Haw

Long-throw specialist Norman

Precocious En Dian

Nippy Kenny

ARFC had played Casanova XI twice in the last season and could not beat them despite dominating both matches. Hence, all warriors were fired up to put things right.

Particularly, both Hee and Alvin played with much fire in their bellies and harassed their defence non-stop throughout the match.  However, ARFC could not fashion any good openings due to the poor pitch which made judgement of the bouncing of ball very difficult.

ARFC drew first blood in the 17^th min. Blackburn received a ball out on the left and hooked in a half-volley that was meant for Alvin and Hee. Fortune favoured ARFC when the ball somehow took a wicked swerve and looped over their keeper who tried to push the ball out but in vain. This was Blackburn’s 113^th goal for ARFC. 1-0.

Sebastian then replaced Weilit with Soon switching over to right mid. Moments later, Derrick arrived and replaced Soon who succumbed to cramps.

Derrick immediately made a contribution when he was put through on the right flank. With the ball bouncing up, Derrick whipped in a cross high into the penalty box. Their right back then somehow headed the ball back into his own 6-yard area which was picked up by Hee. With only their keeper to beat, Hee misjudged the ball and lifted the ball over the bar. Unlucky but what great anticipation by Hee.

Jinzhong then produced a flying save to his left to palm out a stinging volley.  World-class save!

ARFC then conceded a goal. 1-1 which remained the score at half-time.

ARFC was really determined after the re-start. Alvin caused mayhem when he twice powered his way down the left touch-line. In the first instance, his cut-back was blocked and in the second instance, he brilliantly picked out Blackburn who arrived from deep. With the gaping goal, Blackburn’s powerful shot went over the bar when a simple placing shot would suffice.

ARFC was now firing on all cylinders and Derrick went close.

From Sebastian’s free-kick on the left, Toh headed against the post and from the follow-up, his shot was blocked.

ARFC regained the lead in the 67^th min. Jinzhong’s long powerful punt from a goal-kick sailed over their defence and Blackburn reacted quickest and lifted the ball over their keeper for his114th ARFC goal. 2-1

ARFC did not slow down and aimed to put the result to bed. However, ARFC was nearly caught out on a couple of occasions but ARFC’s defence, led superbly by Ron, repelled all attacks.

7 mins later, ARFC scored its 3^rd goal. From Alvin’s well-flighted corner, Derrick 9who was standing at the right side of box) shouted for Toh to “let go” which Toh obliged. Displaying a rare accuracy and power, Derrick headed the ball back to the far post to completely beat their keeper and covering defender on the line for his 56^th ARFC goal. 3-1.

Man-of-the-Match is jointly given to Alvin and Hee.