PSFC 4 - Charlton 3

Darren, Joey (P), Luong, Steve - No. 14 x2, No. 16

After the disappointment of the Watford 7s tournament, it was back to 'business as usual' for The Storm.

PSFC's first 11-a-side game this year was against a new outfit from Charlton boasting several ex-Lions players. On a day where most Londoners were enjoying a Sunday barbeque, the Storm lads were decked out in their lucky blue home kits and roasting in 28c heat!!

The game kicked off at a leisurely pace with both teams passing the ball around only to lose possession in the final 3rd.

Both teams seemed hesitant to attack the ball, and 15 minutes passed without a shot on target. After the 20minute mark, an opportunistic ball over the top led to a goalmouth scramble, a mix up between Charlton's keeper and defender allowed "Down-under" Darren to steel into the 6 yard box and bundle home the messiest of goals...... I believe it came off his thigh! 1-0 PSFC

The goal by storm seemed to ignite the game and Charlton soon poured forward with their no. 14 an huge handful for the back 4.... pulling wide and then cutting back in on his favourite right foot. Unfortunately for The Storm, a lax in concentration played a big hand in Charlton's first goal. Olivier picked the ball up outside the area, dribbled across goal and then lost possession with a mis-pass which went straight to their no. 14 who had brushed off his marker, Weng. Two touches and he was into the boxes and kept his head to calmly curl the ball round the on-rushing goalie. 1-1

By now the heat was taking its toll, and a quick drinks break followed by renewed pressure from The Storm. A quick exchange of passes saw Joey through on goal only for a Damian-esque challenge which took more man than ball, sending Joey flying in the box. Picking himself up he calmly put the ball down and sent the goalie the wrong way. 2-1 PSFC

Storms 2nd goal only encouraged Charlton to push forward, and they were finding alot of space down the right wing. A quick cross from their no. 16 skidded in front of goal and an uncharacteristic mis-control by their no. 14 allowed the Storms No. 1 to pounce on the loose ball. Unfortunately lessons were not learnt and a long throw from the right was flicked on by their No. 10, and with the Storm's make-shift back four rooted to the ground, their no. 14 was at hand with a looping header which sailed over the Keepers head. 2-2

With 5 minutes to go before half time, another quick-flowing passage of passes through midfield found Luong on the right wing, taking a touch to control the ball and a quick look up, he thundered the ball past a defender and beat the goalie at his near post. A quality goal fitting to the youngsters' hard work on the wing. 3-2 PSFC

The second half started very slowly and the heat was beginning to take its toll on everyone. The majority of possession was with PSFC, but chances were wasted in the final third with players hesitating when clear on goal or slicing wildly when there was time for an extra touch.

Midway through the 2nd half the poor display by the PSFC forwards were punished when again Charlton attacked down their right, exploiting the lax defending on the Storms left flank. Their no. 16 easily beat his marker and over-hit a cross which hung in the air only to dip at the last minute under the crossbar and out of reach of a back-peddling Poh sending memories flooding back of West Hams goal in the 2006 FA Cup final.... Konchesky eat your heart out! 3-3

Back in the game, Charlton soon found themselves in control and with 15mins left on the clock a long cross-field ball found its way to their no. 14 who easily brushed off his marker, fortunately when one-on-one with the Storms keeper, his tame shot was easily parried.

With a draw seeming imminent and a loss all the possible, PSFC continued to press forward and enjoyed the majority of ball possession, only to once again find themselves wasteful in the box.... But 'cometh the hour, cometh the man' and that man was none other than joint manager Steve Tang, picking the ball up just outside the area, he dribbled into the box and seeing the keeper just off his line cheekily chipped (whether intentional or not) the ball over the keepers head and watched it dip just under the bar just like what he did last year against Viet Kieu. 4-3 PSFC

With 10 minutes left on the clock, PSFC's make-shift defence was left to soak up the pressure by the Charlton players looking for an equaliser, and a swift counter-attack saw 'Wing Wizard' Darren clear on goal only for him to mis-kick the ball and watch it agonisingly slice wide.

Final score: Pacific Storm FC 4 - Charlton 3

Player rating: Anthony 6, Steve H 6, Stu 7, Oli 7, Weng 6, Darren 7, Luong 7, Yoshi 6, Steve 7, Vince 6, Henry 6, Joey 6, Kee 6, Ernie 6

Man of the Match: Charlton's no. 14 - a handful to Storms' defenders, and quick to pounce on mistakes.

Final comment:

A decent enough performance for our first 11-a-side game of 2008, but lapses in concentration led to us conceding two sloppy goals in the 1st half. With practically a make-shift back four due to the absence of Phil C, Ed K and Steve F, Stuart and Olivier did well as midfielders playing as centre backs! Although players must learn not to get sucked towards the ball when defending and must be disciplined to hold thier positions.

Once again our lack of composure in front of goal was almost the architect to our downfall!! If anything should be taken out of this game, it is the urgent need to get our players shooting at every opportunity! Up until the final third of the pitch was good, the passing in midfield was good though a bit rusty at times - but the cobwebs should hopefully be removed after several more games under everyones belt. However, at times when we attack the midfield were very slow getting back to help our their defenders which meant a huge gap appeared in front of defence.

All-in-all a good run-out against decent opposition....... a stepping stone in the right direction for the Kung Ho Summer League!