Order Doesn't Reign
Kau Closes Up
It was a moderately festive atmosphere at the whimsically named nWo Squared Circle arena for the few thousand Grilled faithful who braved the hostile elements.
Tim Hobson almost gave the fans a perfect Christmas present when nWo goalie keeper Jonatan Bale committed a howler, throwing the ball straight to Hobson. Their defenders reacted swiftly however, bundling Hobson off the ball as he took too much time to square his shot.
More often than not Grilled's attacks floundered as support was found wanting to the sides, but some decisive running by
Chen Chiew-Yen in the 23rd minute split the nWo defence. nWo then increased their defensive presence, foiling all attacks until the half time whistle sounded.
Two minutes from the restart, a lightning assault by
Tom Pence ended with a quick corner, which the enterprising
Tim Hobson took before the nWo team had settled.
Kau Siu-Cheung handily outleapt the few outnumbered defenders in the penalty box to nod the ball home. Some protests were voiced over whether the corner was premature, but the referee paid no heed.
Grilled began to play the game out and let nWo come at them, in consideration of the tough upcoming matches against A5_Paper in the league and archpool in the Cup. Still, Grilled managed to produce a sterling chance for
Ma Dai-Lin when some short passing coupled with a deft turn and fake put him alone with the keeper for a second, but he somehow lifted the ball onto the bar.
