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The winning feeling is back again for the Sharks as they cruised to their third victory in a row, despite missing their manager for a third week, as well as key players like Mizan, Zhuoneng, Brendan and Issac. A top-notch first half performance saw the boys in yellow take a massive 3-0 lead. Some comedy defending by Socheaux then set them back a further 2 goals, but they managed a consolation via a superbly taken freekick.
It was an emotional last game for Michael, who is leaving for his native USA to devastate other teams there with his energetic running. He has played an integral part in Central Park FC’s return to form and will be sorely missed in the middle of the park.
With Mizan out, Aaron stepped up between the sticks, with Chris starting up-front with diminutive player-manager Heng Li. This proved an inspired choice. Not long after the kick-off, the Socheaux defence failed to clear a Chris knockdown as Harold nicked the ball at the edge of the box and let fly a snapshot. The keeper’s slow-motioned attempt at a diving save proved futile as the bouncing ball nestled into the bottom corner for the opener.
The Sharks continued their relentless assault with accurate through balls finding Chris and Li. A half-cleared cross then found itself at the feet of Steven, who unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box. Socheaux stood awestruck as the ball found the same bottom corner. Heng Li then took himself off for Jason, who minutes after coming on latched onto a pinpoint flick from Chris. Three touches later, a defender was beaten and the Socheaux net was left bulging for a third time. There was a chance to add to his tally, when Harold burst past his marker to cut a cross back for Jason. But his attempt to place the shot into the far post proved unwise, missing the target when it was easier to score.
Yus, Jaleel, Bregy and Jeffrey came on in the second half, as the Sharks dominated in similar fashion. A quick throw in on the wings by Jeff caused confusion among the Socheaux defenders, who found themselves penalized for a silly back pass. Harold blasted the resulting free-kick into the top corner, despite 10 opposing players standing on the goal-line. Central Park then seemed to take a foot off the pedal, conceding several unnecessary free-kicks. They were eventually punished as a skillfully struck curler left Aaron stranded, dashing the Sharks’ hopes of a second clean sheet of the season.
It was still a happy birthday for Chris however. Harold’s weak shot on the edge of the area was somehow fumbled by the error-prone Socheaux keeper, leaving Chris with the simplest of tap-ins. The final score of 5-1 will provide a much needed boost to the Sharks’ dismal goal difference.
Caretaker player-manager Heng Li was undoubtedly very pleased with a solid Sharks performance. However a third win without the manager continues to raise questions about the reason for the team’s sudden change in fortunes.
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