Raymond joined ARFC Hat-Trick Heroes List in resounding 6-0 victory

On the day when ARFC Veterans played its 19^th Veterans match, Raymond notched his first-ever ARFC hat-trick to propel the team to a resounding 6-0 victory over the St. Patrick’s Old Boys at their homeground St. Patrick’s School.

ARFC Veterans was once again supported by Lingzhi, Ron’s beau, and Elvis’ prince Dylan and princess Tiara.

At the request of the opponents, the match was played in 3 30-min halves.

ARFC Veterans started with this 4-4-2 line-up:

GK – Derrick

RB – Tze Ern

Sweeper – Ron

Stopper – Toh

LB – Darren

RM – Raymond

CM – Sebastian

CM – Son

LM - Hee

SC – Haron

SC – Alvin

Subs:

Chua (late)

Elvis (late)

Tong

ARFC Veterans fired the first warning shot within 77 seconds of the kick-off when Soon shot just slightly over the bar after a neat lay-off from Haron.

77 seconds later, ARFC Veterans took the lead. A long ball from Tze Ern released Raymond down the right flank and he outran their left back before fizzing in an inviting low cross from the right bye-line. Alvin was the biggest beneficiary as he scored with his first touch of the match when he tapped into the empty net after arriving at the far post. 1-0 and this was Alvin’s 312^th ARFC goal.

One thing to note was that Haron had actually pulled 2 defenders with him when he made a run towards the near post, thereby leaving Alvin unmarked at the far post. What a wonderful Mane-Salah movement!

3 mins later, ARFC Veterans doubled its lead. From yet another missile-like long throw from Darren (Robertson), Toh did extremely well when he outjumped their defender and flicked the ball goalwards and leaving their GK wrong-footed. The ball looked to be rolling into the net when Raymond dashed in to whack the ball into the net. 2-0 and this was Raymond’s 19^th ARFC goal.

Alvin then powered his way down the right flank, held off their determined left-back before squaring to Sebastian who was free. Alas, Sebastian disappointed Alvin when he put his shot narrowly wide.

Haron then picked up a good pass and let fly a volleyed shot which was just 9 mm over the bar.

Sebastian then delivered a delicious-looking high hanging cross to the far side which Toh just failed to connect cleanly with his head.

In the 2^nd 30-min half, Haron gamely took over GK leaving Derrick as the striker with Hee. Derrick soon repaid the faith when he scored just 3 mins after the re-start.

Tze Ern, who has been brilliant in recent matches, sent in a great corner from the left which saw Raymond heading the ball goalwards. With a sharp swivel ala David Platt in England’s World Cup 1990 round of 16 match against Belgium, Derrick spun and volleyed the ball through a sea of defenders. 3-0 and this was Derrick’s 108^th ARFC goal.

Tze Ern played played a nice one-two with Derrick before forcefully dribbled with the ball inwards from the left side.  The ball was then hastily cleared by their defender up in the air to the right side.  In a goal that brought back memories of Marco Van Basten’s wonder goal in the 1988 European Final against then-USSR, Raymond did not wait for the ball to drop as he simply volleyed from an acute angle to stun everyone.  The ball nestled nicely to the far left post. 4-0 and this was Raymond’s 20^th ARFC goal.

In the 55^th min came the move of the match.  Darren, who has been playing exactly like Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson, started a move from his left-back position. He passed to Sebastian and continued his over-lapping run down the left.  As the ball was rolling to Sebastian, he already started shouting for Darren before putting in a slide-rule grounder down the left flank. Hee let the ball run through to Darren who then put in such a good low cross to Raymond who had by then arrived at the right far post.  Raymond did not disappoint as he guided the ball into the unguarded net for his 21^st ARFC goal and his first-ever hat-trick for ARFC!!!  5-0

Raymond’s latest scoring feat also enabled him to enter the elite ARFC’s Hat-Trick Heroes List.

With these goals, Raymond is now on level terms with ex-ARFC players, Hock and JiongJiong at 21 goals.

Raymond is also the leading scorer for ARFC Veterans with 14 goals.

In the last 30-min half, ARFC Veterans slightly lost its shape for a few mins due to complacency.  However, Soon, Elvis, Ron, Tong and Chua managed to help preserve ARFC Veterans’ lead.

Darren then won a penalty for ARFC Veterans when he was brought down inside the box after yet another run upfield.  He dusted himself off the ground before sending their GK the wrong way with his spot-less penalty. 6-0 and this was Darren’s 19^th ARFC goal, putting him at same level as ex-ARFC left-winger Jesmond.

Darren was then substituted.

Alvin then again powered down the left wing and cut the ball back to Sebastian. However, his 2 shots were blocked by the opponents.

In the 87^th min came the miss of the match. From a high delivery by Sebastian to the far left post, Haron did incredibly well to head the ball back across goal to the right side. Despite being totally unmarked, Derrick inexplicably miscued in front of the gaping goal and the chance was lost.

ARFC Veterans then closed out the match for a comprehensive 6-0 victory.