C Boys Bullets edged out by nemesis Serangoon Sec

20 Feb 2014

Bullets Muhd Tahalif feeling the effects of a knock 

Junior boys Bullets were unlucky to taste defeat for the 2nd time in the NZ Inter-Schools C Div Boys Championship this afternoon when they lost out narrowly to their host Serangoon Sec 1-2.

Both teams were hoping for a victory to start the 2nd round and the pitch did not make it any easier. The dry and hard surface made bounces unpredictable and both teams experienced some awkward scares in the early exchanges. While the Bullets were playing their way through their opponents, the home team resorted to long punts behind Bowen's defensive line to gain advantage.

Bullets centre-back Benny Tan (with armband) and Md Dzulhl taking their marking job seriously

And it was from one of these attempts in the 18th min that Serangoon Sec got their first goal. The Bullets' defenders and goalkeeper were caught hesitating as a ball fell between them and a Serangoon striker latched on the lose ball to score.

3 minutes after the restart, the Bullets came roaring back with a well-worked free kick by skipper Benny Tan. His ground shot found its way through the opponents wall and past the goalkeeper into an empty goal.

The Bullets taking a water-break

Serangoon then found the winner in the 39th min when a cross from the left was blocked twice by Bullets right back Harith Aniq before the third try found its way to the far post for a seemingly offside Serangoon player to tap home for 2-1.

The Bullets did not disappoint in the courage department as they launched determined attacks that had Serangoon Sec reeling, especially a Muhd Hisam volley in the penalty box that shook the crossbar after beating the goalkeeper.  Moments before that unlucky miss, Benny Tan also saw has long shot skimmed the top of the crossbar for a goal kick.

A Bowen shot on goal

The score remained the same and at the final whistle, the Bullets were left to rue the loss. It now means that the junior Bullets will have to win their next 2 matches against Siling Sec and Sengkang Sec to stand any chance of making the top 4.

The Bullets having a tactical discussion during a break in play

Serangoon Sec	2 – 1		Bowen
Goals Scored (Bowen only)
		Benny Tan 33’
Substitutions (Bowen only)
Nur Ithar Iqmal for MD Dzulfadhl 50’