Hope-Skytos vs Nomad All Saints

Make it or break it. Both teams are desperate for a win to stay off the bottom of the league table. Renewed spirit has brought team Hope-Skytos early unto the war zone. This time they brought along their drill sergeant, Jarrow Marcus. He is a man that commands authority; when he speaks submission follows. Sir! yes sir!

Team Nomad All Saints however had no numbers to show for. A smuggling attempt for an unregistered player was foiled by our watchful secretariat, Philip Chin . With Kiran bin Abdul Hatam and Mohamed Adam Mohamed Ali absent, it’s gonna be an underhand battle between a team of 8 (Nomad All Saints) and a team of 11 (Hope-Skytos). On a positive note to Nomad’s favor, the All Saints boys have already inflicted damage even before the battle began. Notoriously famous for their hard-style playing, no other team has successfully committed all penalty offences on the book except this one. Good thing Team Hope-Skytos brought in numbers, they’re gonna need it!

The whistle blows! Its not surprising to see conservative play from Hope-Skytos but with Nomad All Saints taming down as well, one would expect judgment day is been delayed. Its obvious Hope-Skytos is working on their organized attack and Nomad All Saints holding their patience. By the first minute, Mark Casselle Mickey (1:04) fired an easy score to send the first warning to their opponents.

A second warning shot by the unassuming Alexander Carl Gutual (6:01), with no forward experience extended the lead by 2 for Nomad All Saints. Obviously All Saints is taunting their opponent, warming up for a bigger meal.

Capt. Oscar Chew retaliated and shifted his team into power play, doubling all scoring attempts with him personally taking on 3 defenders from the left wing but to no avail. All shots were either deflected off the defenders, or it was a poor miss. Nomad’s shining armor proves impenetrable with Capt. William Chong holding the helm. Nomad All Saints bled by the 9th minute, as Capt. Oscar Chew’s (9:29) shot delivered a fatal blow into the corner of the cage. Hope came rushing in.

Perhaps it was a mistake to stay on prolonged power play even with numbers. A swift counter attack by Mark Casselle Mickey (12:04) on the 12th minute strengthened Nomad’s dominance, but it only serves to infuriate Hope-Skytos’ burning passion to get even. Just 14 seconds from face off, Capt. William Chong (12:18) prepares to flush any left-over hope off their opponents with a magnificent play, dribbling from the back of his own goal, passing a winger, a centre forward and 2 defenders; scoring against the established goalie, Jonathan Lim. What a move! Suffering from fatigue due to prolonged power play Hope-Skytos retreated into passive fore-check; and they held till the end of 1st period.

End of 1st Period : Hope-Skytos 1 : Nomad All Saints 4

Hold the Fort! That was Nomad All Saints’ strategy in the second half, but it was such a huge lead on the score board, Capt. William Chong sent his players for a stroll around the battle field. Terence Wong of Hope-Skytos started to go offensive, partnering with Joerel Marcus and Leslie Ling, the trio confused and baffled Nomad’s defense, shooting through with Terrence Wong (3:21) while maintaining his composure. One can only wonder where does Hope-Skytos’ fighting spirit comes from. As if that wasn’t enough, a second score by Terence Wong (6:22) again on the right wing sent shockwaves into Nomad All Saints’ stronghold. They were closing in.

Taking matters into his own hands, Capt. William Chong came back into active duty from his retirement bench. Defending against waves and waves of slap shots, Capt William Chong committed an untimely 2-minute bench penalty by high-sticking Jarrow Marcus on a desperate clear. With such momentum stacking up, Jarrow Marcus too committed a 2-minute bench penalty for pushing, desperate for a score. Immediately after finishing his 2-minutes, Capt. William Chong (13:57) sneaked up against Hope-Skytos’ defense and crushed her fans with a close range slap shot right next to the goalie. It wasn’t just scoring, it was intimidation!

Unfazed, Hope-Skytos pressed in with High Fore-Check position. Taking opportunity on Nomad’s fatigued players, Terence Wong (15:01) scored to the right side of the cage from the right wing, reigniting their fighting spirits. Seeing that Nomad All Saints is out of fresh substitution players, they played like their whole life depended on it. In 54 seconds, Terence Wong (15:55) successfully placed his team in equal standing with Nomad All Saints; shooting past 2 defenders and a goalie from centre court!. 4 minutes left on the clock with a 5: 5 score, the atmosphere is electrifying!

What a disaster for Capt. William Chong; as he is now forced to change to semi fore-check position. With all his pale faced players wishing for strength, they miraculously turned the table around. It is now Hope-Skytos’ turn to hold their fort!

It was a desperate attempt to pull away. Every Nomad players were gambling for a long shot to seal their victory, but it wasn’t happening under Jonathan Lim’s guard. Not until Adrian Crnila Bin Kareem (16:49), perhaps the skinniest Nomad All Saints player scored a rebound on this crucial juncture.

3 minutes left on the clock, Hope-Skytos gave it their all and punished the Nomads for their last score. It was a strong play until Jarrow Marcus got slapped with another 2-minute bench penalty for pushing with his elbows. With one player short from Hope-Skytos, Nomad All Saints stood in victory at the end of the match.

End of 2nd Period : Hope-Skytos 4 : Nomad All Saints 2

FINAL SCORE : Hope-Skytos 5 : Nomad All Saints 6

1st Period

Mark Casselle Mickey - Nomad All Saints (1:04)
Alexander Carl Gutual - Nomad All Saints (6:01)
Capt. Oscar Chew - Hope-Skytos (9:29)
Mark Casselle Mickey - Nomad All Saints (12:04)
Capt. William Chong - Nomad All Saints (12:18)

2nd Period

Terence Wong - Hope-Skytos (3:21)
Terence Wong - Hope-Skytos (6:22)
Capt. William Chong - Nomad All Saints (13:57)
Terence Wong - Hope-Skytos (15:01)
Terence Wong - Hope-Skytos (15:55)
Adrian Crnila Bin Kareem - Nomad All Saints (16:49)