ESFC 2 - 0 Futbolistas FC

ESFC scored another victory against Futbolistas FC to secure 3rd spot in the division. The team started with ten men on the pitch only as the secluded Ping Yi Sec was too hard to find for some. 

But there was quality on display too throughout the game, particularly in the first half. 

Tim was once again ESFC's chief threat and was involved in all of their best moments before the break. And he duly scored a beautifully crafted goal with some exquisite close control to beat the defenders and round the goalkeeper.

Reyro, who scored ten goals in 10 league starts, scored another from a free kick outside the box as goalkeeper had no chance at all. 

The triumvirate of dragons: Guan Long, Ming Long and Xiao Long were restored to the centre of midfield and their tenacity and energy were the main factors in ESFC dominating the opening stages and eventually securing a comfortable victory.

ESFC 3 - 1 Warriorz Vege

A lack of substitutes meant that ESFC had to switch to a different style of play and this was a study in containment strategies. ESFC allowed the Warriorz to have the majority of possession by sitting deep and the two ESFC banks of four were compact and discipline to keep out most of their attacks. 

ESFC hit three goals in quick succession from brilliant counter-attacks with clinical goals by Reyro and Boon.

It was a team effort as ESFC ran the game from deep and the defenders stuck to their jobs, denying the Warriorz space and opportunity. The main difference though was Reyro who shone on the wing with an impressive display of skill and pace.

ESFC 3 - 0 Futbolistas FC

The 'return' of Tim to the ESFC line-up after an absence of almost 4 years bore fruits as he inspired the team to a victory against a familiar opponent in Futbolistas FC.

Although not as fit as before, Tim's touches were still evident as his one-twos with Peng and Boon created what could be the Play of the Season. Basically, its Tim - Boon - Peng - Tim - Boon with Boon finishing clinically after being put through on goal.

A penalty was won by Peng as he was put through on goal by Tim's pass (another Peng - Tim - Boon - Tim - Peng) and Boon duly sent it into the bottom corner.

ESFC had looked comfortable in possession, with Yasin particularly influential alongside the impressive Minglong in midfield.

Futbolistas were punished for their lack of effort when good work from Ragen saw the Berba-wannabe crossed for Darren and who’s finished from closed range.

A deserved and important victory for ESFC as the fight for the 3rd place playoffs against Futbolistas and Warriorz is at its peak.

ESFC 4 - 4 Purple Monkeys

ESFC shed points carelessly against the league leader as Purple Monkeys (PM)'s two goals in the final minutes of the game capped a stunning fightback. The chaos of the final exchanges defined belief and ESFC could only blame themselves for their naivety and lack of experience.

PM scored quickly as their first two rewards were gleaned by their striker jumping to head in set pieces that was indicative of ESFC's soft underbelly.

Kim got a goal back for ESFC right before half time after receiving a superb through ball from Ming Long. Unfortunately, he tweaked his hamstring after that.

Second half and it was all ESFC as their trademark pretty passing were making inroads and Nicholas scored the equalizer after receiving an exquisite ball from Adib.

Ten minutes later, Darren amused everyone by beating two players to poke home from an impossible angle on the goal line.

Adib was the creator again with a superb pass that let in Reyro and he duly lifted the ball over the goalkeeper.

ESFC were left flat in their failure to snuff out opponents whom they had led 4-2 with five minutes remaining. The decisions to switch the defense proved costly and everyone panicked whenever PM's forwards burst into view.

Purple Monkeys escaped and ESFC departed in despair.

ESFC 7 - 1 Andernese FC

A scintillating display by ESFC saw them tear Andernese FC apart. 

ST scored the fastest goal of ESFC's history by heading in at the far post from an inch perfect cross by Weilin. That took 45s right from kick-off. An exquisite one-two between Peng and ST took out the Andernese defenders and allowed the latter to fire into the bottom corner. ST then completed his hat-trick after scoring from the PK spot which he won on his own. This completed the fastest hat-trick in ESFC's history. 

A stunt went wrong after Ethan lost the ball in the penalty box and Andernese replied with a goal.

But it was ESFC who grabbed control with 4 goals in 15 mins.

Minglong scored with a fierce shot that fizzed past Andernese's right-hand post. 

And then it was Reyro's turn to shine as he combined with Kim and Boon with the two wingers flighted perfect passes into the path of Reyro who finished with aplomb to net 2 quick-fire goals. 

Kim got in on the act soon after, timing his run superbly to slot home Boon's low cross after the Andernese side had been completely torn apart down the left flank.

ESFC 3 - 4 New Olympique SG

It was another loss for ESFC as the lack of players proved to be an obstacle again this season. New Olympique went ahead by three goals in the first half as the out-of-sort ESFC players could not focus on the game. They were probably hungover from celebrating Chelsea's victory in the Champions' League.

Anyway, a tactical masterstroke by Roberto ST Matteo to switch the formation to 3-5-2 nearly paid dividends. Minglong continued his good form by scoring the first goal but New Olympique pulled one back immediately. Then, Darren surprised everyone by scoring two goals to give ESFC a fighting chance. Sadly, Reyro could not finish off the last attack to give ESFC a romantic ending that they deserved.

"Never had a loss felt so good," to quote Eugene in describing this wonderful encounter.

ESFC 1 - 2 DEPORTIVO SINGAPURA

ESFC stumbled to their third loss of the season after missing a host of chances against a DS side which has a former S-league goalie and champion with Etoile FC and Tampines Rovers in its ranks. ESFC controlled the game throughout and had only themselves to blame for not killing off the game despite scoring first. DS provided the sucker-punch after an exquisite goal by their diminutive striker.

ESFC 1 - 1 Benedetto FC

Despite controlling the most part of the game, ESFC missed a host of chances against Benedetto FC. Against the run of play, Benedetto scored a PK after a silly mistake from the ESFC defender. After which, waves after waves of attack at the Benedetto half could not produce the desired end result. Once, ESFC hit the posts twice within 10s.

The intense pressure forced Benedetto into a defensive mistake in the 2nd half and Kenneth took a reverse pass from Adib and equalized from close range.

Unfortunately, the Ref decided to end the game at 10mins earlier for unknown reason and ESFC could not score the winning goal.

Overall, a crappy game with bad refereeing decisions that would also have been different if ESFC had taken their many many many chances.

Possession football that even 11 year olds can play...

Just an update on the previous 2 matches:

• ESFC 3 - 2 New Olympique Singapore FC
• ESFC 2 - 2 Andernese FC

Match against Futbolista on 15 April 2012 is postponed. Let's be more prepared :)

ESFC 10 - 3 Deportivo Singapura

An empathetic 10-3 victory over Deportivo Singapura ended ESFC's mini-crisis of losing the first two games of the season. For the first time this season, the team had a proper lineup of quality players who did not disappoint.

In particular, Sebas was excellent with 4 superb goals to cap off a wonderful afternoon. Nicholas also added a hat-trick to his name with an outstanding all-round performance. Special mention to Ethan who managed to keep his cool despite a ridiculous shove by the opposition.

Thank you to all the players who came down today including our keeper, Ming Long, Sebas and Nicholas.

Let this be the start of a winning run to pull ourselves back into contention for promotion this season.

-Wei Lin

Match Day 3

Opponent: Deportivo Singapura
Jersey Colors: Red / White / Red
Date: 18th Mar 12
Time: 1300hrs (Fall in @ 1230hrs)
Venue: Astro @ Bowen Sec
Probable Squad:

1. Wee Kiat
2. Jason Chew
   
3. Ethan
4. Zhong
   
5. Weilin
6. Wak
7. Zifu
8. Ming Long
   
9. Jason Ang
10. Nicholas
    
11. St
12. Kim
13. Sebas
    
14. Reyro

Match Day 2

Opponent: Warriorz Vege FC
Jersey Colors: Red / White / Red
Date: 11th Mar 12
Time: 1100hrs (Fall in @ 1030hrs)
Venue: Astro @ Queenstown Sec
Probable Squad:

1. Wee Kiat
   
2. Ethan
3. Zhong
   
4. Weilin
5. Eugene
6. Darren
7. Ming Long
   
8. Jason Ang
9. Boon
   
10. St
11. Kim
    
12. Reyro

ESFC 2 - 3 Benedetto United

Perhaps, the result could be a different one if more players were available for the first league game of the season. ESFC took the lead when Kim scored from the rebound after a close range attempt by Kenneth was saved by the Benedetto United goalie.

Yenhao was unlucky in missing two clear-cut chances that could have buried the game before Benedetto crawled back into the game with their strong set-pieces.

Kenneth equalized for ESFC with an exquisite curler outside the box before Benedetto scored the winner due to a defensive let-up from ESFC.

Despite the impressive performances from the midfield trio of Yenhao, Boon and Jason that controlled the game, defensive errors continued to haunt ESFC. The 3 goals conceded could be prevented but the lack of height in the defense meant that the opponents easily took advantage of all set-pieces to rattle ESFC.

Without discounting the efforts by the committed players, the lack of a sturdy and consistent back line had been the achilles heel of ESFC since last season. Conceding 31 goals last season and bringing that form into the new season has not really benefited the team at all.

Match Day 1 - Season Opener

Opponent: Benedetto United Football Club
Jersey Colors: Red / White / Red
Date: 4th Mar 12
Time: 1100hrs (Fall in @ 1030hrs)
Venue: Astro @ Jurong West Sec Sch
Place to park: B/660 Jurong West St 64
Probable Squad:

1. Kenneth Kwang
   
2. Ethan
3. Weilin
4. Abang
5. Darren
6. Ming Long
   
7. Jason Ang
8. Boon
   
9. Yenhao
10. Kim
    
11. Nathan
    
12. Ragen
13. Kenneth Sim
    

After weeks of preparation, anticipation builds toward the first match of the season. Goals have been set, skills refined, team positions announced, and game plans made..... NOT!

Just play lads! :)

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Match Day 13

Opponent: InnerCircle FC
Jersey Colors: Green / White / Red
Date: 29th Jan 12
Time: 1100hrs (Fall in @ 1030hrs)
Venue: Astro @ MJC
Probable Squad:

1. Sebas
   
2. Zhong
3. Ethan
4. Wak
   
5. Weilin
6. Jason Chew
   
7. Jason Ang
8. Boon
   
9. Peng
   
10. Adib
11. Ashley
    
12. Reyro
13. Kim
    

Match Day 12

Opponent: Poseur FC
Jersey Colors: Green / White / Red
Date: 29th Jan 12
Time: 1100hrs (Fall in @ 1030hrs)
Venue: Astro @ Hua Yi Sec
Probable Squad:

1. Zifu
   
2. Zhong
3. Wak
   
4. Weilin
5. Jason Chew
   
6. Siva
   
7. Ashley
   
8. Reyro
9. Kim
10. Darren