LAS HEARUTSUSU MAKE SQUASH OUT OF ORANG3RS

LHFC 4

T.O. 2

Reported By Kelvin Goh
kelvin_goh_912@hotmail.com

A stunning second half brace from substitute Samuel Chan was enough for the Hearts to see off the Oranges 4-2.

The Hearts had gone ahead through a Raymond penalty in the first half but fell behind from quick fire strikes from the Oranges after the interval. Center Half Kelvin Lin leveled the scores before Samuel’s introduction engineered a hard fought victory

A tense first half transcended into an all action second as box-to-box action made the tie extremely lively. Tempers did threaten to boil over occasionally, and there were little niggles and squabbles as they game drew to the end. Orange captain Tat Ming decidedly unimpressed by the robust nature of a few players.

The early impetus was enjoyed by LHFC as Raymond converted a penalty after a handball inside the area. Although it could be said the defender was unlucky as it appeared unintentional.

LHFC seized control over the vast majority of play and should have nicked a few as Joel Lee headed narrowly wide and Jerry could not get on the end of a cross. Set Pieces were also a constant threat as Daniel continually tested the Orange goalkeeper from range.

The Orang3rs best chance came just before the interval but their number six could only shoot wide of the mark. And so it went into the break one nil to the Hearts.

However, the Orang3rs came out of their shell immediately after the break as they took the game to the Hearts. An equalizer came after an orange shirt rounded Guo Yong before slotting the ball home. There was no time for the Hearts to catch their breath, as Tat Ming’s cross was converted brilliantly by a splendid volley.

It almost got worst but Guo Yong again pulled off heroics with a wonderful one handed save.

Just as the Oranges were starting to turn the screw, LHFC delivered a sucker punch when Kelvin Lin found himself unmarked inside the six-yard box from a corner. He duly converted the chance much to the relief and delight of the team in yellow.

The equalizer seemed to suck the life out of the Orang3rs as they were undoubtedly on top after the interval. A tense affair follow as the game became a scrappy affair

But it was left to Samuel who made a surprised appearance just after the hour mark. His shot was allowed to go through the goalkeeper’s near post to spark off delirious celebrations.

The dust had not yet settled when Samuel again found the net, this time from a wayward right wing cross which flew into the far post. Questions on whether he meant it, but it didn’t matter to LHFC who now led 4-2

The goal was enough as the Hearts had the comfort of a two-goal margin, and they consolidated on this with a hard earned victory. Credit must go to the Orang3rs too; who kept at it and never gave up - LHFC90

LHFC: Guo Yong, Kelvin Lin, Daniel, Sheng Jie, Matthew (Kelvin Goh 45), Yen Sun, Raymond (Jia Yinn 35), Joel Lee, Valentino, Kenny (Vincent 20, Samuel 70), Hak Liang (Jerry 30)

MAVERICKS COME OUT THE TOP GUN AGAINST HEARTS

LHFC 0

MFC 2

Reported By Kelvin Goh
kelvin_goh_912@hotmail.com

Goals either side of the interval were enough for Mavericks FC to condemn LHFC to a 2-0 defeat

A change of venue and probably a change of fortunes for the Hearts as they struggled to break down a vastly compact Mavericks outfit, who raced into a one nil lead just minutes into the tie with a well taken finish after a mistake in the LHFC defence.

The Hearts enjoyed decent possession, but were unable to find a way pass the Maverick rearguard, which managed to keep Kenny in check. He was twice denied after foraging through on goal by last-ditch tackles

LHFC piled on the pressure but only managed a few half chances, coming closest with a Samuel free kick that the keeper parried away

The Whites did have their moments and should have made it two nothing if not for Zhi Fei spurning a golden chance inside the box. The undergrad’s volley flying just off the mark. And so it ended one nil to the Mavericks at the break

The second half saw some minor changes to the line up as the Hearts sought to wrestle the game back. A barrage of corners almost led to the equalizer as Kenny headed narrowly over the bar

Shortly after, Zhi Yuan’s shot from the edge of the box went wide and Valentino narrowly failed to latch on to a ball over the top from Raymond. It appeared the Hearts were running out of ideas

And the Hearts were left shell shocked on the hour as a lightning quick Maverick counter attack resulted in the second goal of the day. A kick in the teeth for the Hearts, who looked as if they might find the breakthrough

It proved not to be LHFC’s day as Kenny found himself cemented in a swamp of mud as he raced clear on goal. Claims of offside for the ball launched through the middle were turned down by the African referee but the Hearts failed to capitalize. At this point, LHFC must have thought their chances of getting something from the game were as dry as the Referee’s corn rolls

Towards the end, Guo Yong put in a fine save as he prevented the score line from being cruel to the Hearts. Another counter attack and the custodian stood his ground to turn away a one on one

Full time arrived as the Mavericks celebrated a clinical victory over the Hearts after a tense affair. It was a match played in good spirit and the referee did his part to allow football to flow, unlike the week before – LHFC90

LHFC: Guo Yong, Zhi Yuan, Joel Thong, Kelvin Lin, Sheng Jie, Valentino (Yen Sun 30), Joel Lee, Samuel (Daryl 40), Raymond, Kelvin Goh (Timothy 30), Kenny (Jack 30)

HEARTS SING IN THE RAIN AS OPPONENTS GO MENTAL

LHFC 3 (Jerry, Daniel, Kenny)

"POLY" TEAM 1

Reported By Kelvin Goh
kelvin_goh_912@hotmail.com

Heavy rain threatened to end all proceedings before the match but it was a stellar performance by the Hearts, which sank the opponents.

Not to be undone by the one hour delay, goals from Jerry, Daniel and Kenny were enough for LHFC to wrap up their first victory of the new campaign as the opponents were reduced to ten men in the second half.

In a first half dominated largely by the team in yellow, LHFC came close on a numerous number of occasions and chances were spurred. Samuel had an angle drive parried by their number one after going round a few defenders. Kenny could have opened the scoring but handled the ball inside the box.

Though it seem the Hearts could have ran out with a cricket score, it amazingly remained nil all after the first interval.

The Hearts could have been made to pay after the opponents scored against the break of play and almost made it two on the day with an audacious lob over the keeper.

It seemed as though it wasn’t to be LHFC or Samuel’s day as the latter’s volley crashed off the post and his free kick bounced off the bar. The Armored Engineer also had a penalty saved by the goalkeeper after Kenny had been fouled inside the box. The referee refused to allow play to continue after the foul in the box, which would have resulted in the equalizer as Kelvin put the ball in the net.

However, the Hearts never stopped fighting and their resilience paid off as Jerry neatly placed a low finish outside the box to finally draw both teams level.

LHFC sensed this was the moment. And indeed this was the turning point as debut boy Daniel rose in the six-yard box to head home a Samuel corner. Shortly after, petulance from the opponents no. 14 was right punished with his second yellow card of the morning.

There was even time for a third as Daniel’s shot from outside the box was inavertedly turned in by Kenny, though there was speculation about him being in an offside position.

Unmistakable joy and relief as the referee’s whistle blew for full time. The Hearts showing dogged determination in telling circumstances as the opponents bottled it in the second half. - AP

LHFC: Guo Yong, Joel Thong, Daniel, Sheng Jie, Jun Xiang (Jerry 45), Raymond, Samuel, Zhi Yuan (Kelvin Goh 45), Yen Sun (Jack 45), Kenny (Hak Liang 45), Valentino