Toa Payoh - Veteran keeper Raymond produced a series of stunning saves to help Myjia secure an impressive 4-2 victory over Chelsea Veteran, albeit aided by a first half hat-trick by the irrepressible Junhao.
A heavy downpour hours before the match threatened the postponement of a Myjia match two weeks in a row but a late pitch inspection deemed the field playable as Myjia players in particular eagerly took to the field.
Unsurprisingly it was Myjia who adapted better to the wet condition. The team showed its promise with a series of passing, running circles round the Chelsea Veterans defence. The passes soon culminated into an early goal as hitman Junhao outran the ageing Veterans defence to slot past the keeper for his fourth goal of the season.
The goal further boosted Myjia's confidence while the Veterans found no solution to the problems posed by the direct running of Junhao, ably supported by the foraging Kenneth.
By the 25th minute, Myjia had gone 3-0 up courtesy of further goals from Kenneth and another from Junhao. Myjia's wing wonders were brilliant with Jackson imposing himself steadily on the left wing and a marauding Delvin on the right proving too much to handle for Veteran. In short, the overall play from Myjia was thoroughly impressive.
Junhao completed his hat-trick in the 35th minute with a thumping shot which left the unfortunate keeper grasping thin air. The goal proved one too many for Chelsea Veterans who began showing the dark side to their game. Persistant small talk to rile the Myjia players and several over-reaction to soft challenges were starting to sink its roots into the Veterans game.
Giant Myjia defender Sunny had to be cautioned for a late flying tackle in retaliation to a flagging elbow from a previous challenge.
The ten minutes prior to half-time were a sign of things to come in the second half. The Veterans antics continued much like in the first half but credits to Myjia, the players were generally in control and kept their discipline.
A shuffle of tactics in the defence led to two sloppy goals conceded by Myjia before Myjia braced themselves to hold on and hopefully increase their lead.
Veteran Myjia striker Eric Low had a 25 yard shot saved by the keeper on the hour mark. That wonderful shot could have been a glorious way to open Eric's account for Myjia this season after failing to get on the scoresheet last season.
Speedy winger Delvin then had a thunderous effort headed clear after the Veterans defence sloppily cleared a corner. Had the goal gone in, it would definately have been a contender for the goal of the season and possibly one of the best goal for the young Myjia import. The goal, had it gone in, would have also been an ideal present for Delvin who turns 21 next weekend.
Myjia gradually dropped men back into its own half to preserve the two-goal advantage and the intense pressure of the last ten minutes was an eye-feast for the neutrals.
On at least three ocassions, Raymond stood his ground and displayed his athleticsm and reflexes to thwart the Veterans. It was a top-drawer performance from the veteran keeper who deservingly got the Man-of-the-Match award at the end of the match for securing a second win on the trot for Myjia.
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