Prestige Marine

2

vs

Central Park

6

Central Park continued their rich vein of form on Sunday when they thumped Prestige Marine Services 6-2 over at Bowen Secondary. Three goals in each half was enough to send last season Division 4 champions reeling as Sharks completed a double with an 1-0 win earlier in the season. Harold and Steven put the Sharks 2-0 ahead after just 7 minutes before Prestige reduced the deficit midway in the first half. Harold however restored his team's two goal cushion just before half-time. In the second-half, the opposition pulled a goal back to reduce the deficit yet again but some clinical finishing by Sharks put the game safe after they found the back of the net 3 more times in a space of 9 minutes to put the game beyond the opposition with goals from Graeme, Yus and Ansel.

Sharks yet again were missing several regulars particularly in defense with the omission of team captain Vincent who look set to miss the next 3 games due to a niggling ankle injury. At the other end, Prestige were looking to build on their morale boosting draw last week and with several household names in their line-up, Sharks were looking for a long afternoon. As predicted, Prestige took control of the midfield right from the kick-off but with the game just 5 minutes old, Sharks game plan paid off with Naoki releasing the ball quickly to Harold and from the tiniest of angle, the latter managed to find the back of the net to give his team the lead. That seemed to rock the opposition and before they could recover, Sharks finished off some intricate play just outside the box with Steven finding the back of the net with an exquiste lob just inside the box. 2-0 up and Sharks played with more vigor and confidence as Prestige were finding it hard to break down the Sharks defense. Nonetheless, they managed to reduce the deficit midway in the first half when Sharks were caught ball-watching.

With the score at 2-1, the midfield was the main focal point as both teams tried to gain the upper-hand. Sharks snatched back the two goal cushion in 31st minute when Harold smashed an indirect freekick just outside the box as Prestige yet again had to be contented to chase the game. Despite some intricate midfield plays on their part, their final ball left much to be desired and they were constantly frustrated with the lack of opportunities in front of goal as Sharks decided to defend deep in their half. Half-time came and Sharks took to the break with a 3-1 lead.

In the second half, Prestige came out with all guns firing as they made Sharks work doubly hard for possession. With the partnership of their midfield duo of Gusta and Roni, Sharks were clearly having a hard time to eradicate their main threat in the middle on the park. They got their just reward shortly afterwards abeit direct from a corner as Michael were caught unawares from the flight of the ball. 3-2 and Prestige was back in the game and were pushing man forward for the leveler. Just when their momentum was giving the Sharks all sorts of problem at the back, a mistimed pass by the defense were intercepted by the alert Harold and in an instance, it was 3 against one as the likes of Harold, Naoki and Graeme moved forward. Harold nonetheless, wasted no time to put Graeme in a perfect position as the latter finished the move coolly to put the game 4-2. The goal seemed to signal the start of a mad 9 minutes as Prestige defense imploded as Sharks scored 2 further goals in similar fashion with the likes of Yus and debutant Ansel finishing from close range after some good work on the right from Harold and Graeme. 6-2 the final score as Sharks played out the remainder of the game with ease.

The beaming manager commented, 'It was just one of those games where Sharks took every opportunity in front of goal. The best part however was five of the goals coming from the midfielders who fought real hard today despite the unforgiving weather.