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Central Park yet again had to settle for a point with another high scoring game against Fighting Cocks at Bowen Secondary. However, the boys in yellow could take heart that it was a point gained than a point lost as they clawed back from 2 goals down after both teams had a player sent off in the first half. Sharks took the lead at 3-2 before the opposition level things up just before half-time. In the second half, chances were scarce as both teams played out to an entertaining 3-3 game.
Sharks were looking to improve their standings in the table against Fighting Cocks and the boys showed their intentions early on with both Sho and Heng Li having shots in the early exchanges. Isaac could have given his team the lead in the opening 10 minutes after Sho's initial shot was parried towards former but somehow, a nudge by his marker were left unpunished as Sharks rue the opportunity. At the other end, against the run of play, Charlson gave the opposition an opportunity to take the lead when he brought his man down and they duly obliged. Before Sharks could gain their early momentum back, they were staring at a 2 goal deficit after some innocuous defending by the Sharks.
Things look to be heading for the worse when each team were reduced to 10 man with Charlson heading for an early showers, much to the disgust of his manager. However, the sending-off seemed to provide Sharks with an impetus as they went on a magical 6 minute spree. Just a minute after, Sho reduced his team's deficit to finish with aplomb as he beat a sea of defenders in the box to smash home from close range. Two minutes later, Murugesan who came on for Heng Li tore the opposition defense apart as Isaac level things up. Fighting Cocks were in disarray and before they could regroup, a mazy run by Nigel finished with Isaac getting onto his low crisp cross from the left to give his team a 3-2 lead, much to the amazement of the stands. However, some slack defending yet again by the Sharks allowed the opposition to level the game just before half-time.
The second half started with the manager boldly taking the game to the opposition as he continued to put his charges in an offensive formation. It could have paid off in a couple of occasion but some poor finishing meant that the score remained for the duration of the game as both teams fought closely in the middle of the part. The closest Sharks came was thru Graeme's 25m freekick which looked to be headed to the top corner. At the other end, the opposition had a glorious opportunity to seal all 3 points but captain Vincent took one for the team to bring the onrushing midfielder down which left the referee with no choice but to send him off.
The manager commented, 'The team showed a lot of character to come back from being 2 goals down but we have to learn to defend as a unit. We have no problems going forward but defensively, it seemed to be a chink in the team's performance. With 2 of our defenders suspended for the next match, things looked to be gloomy in the Sharks camp.'
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