A.T.P. Not On Song
Kitts See Red
This trip to Saint Kitts and Nevis to play IV.38 side A.T.P.V.M. in a friendly would complete Grilled Birds' record of visiting every Hattrick territory once more, though it was far from the best day for the spin-offs of Romanian club Apel de Urgenţă. They would have two players sent off and one sustain a long-term injury, in which light the 1-5 final score could be considered generous.
In case there was any doubt that his 3-5-2 mirror match would end otherwise, the Birds put two past 19 year-old custodian Elliot Burt in the first five minutes, from both strikers.
Paulino Trindade started the act in the third minute with his little shimmy past the inexperienced Clyde McDonald, while
Mason Glendinning found his own five minutes into his full debut, as he shifted over
Hwang Teck Fu's through pass with a grace that belied Marcus McLean's attentions, before lifting it over Burt.
This had the Grilled support in the stands wonder how Glendinning had been seemingly overlooked by the senior coaches for so long, but the following reversion to the mean would temper their expectations. The youngster would make a hash of the next few incoming passes, and it fell to
Mohsen El Khateeb to notch the third goal in the 26th minute, after a splendid supporting run from defence.
The hosts would come into their own after that, as conceding repeatedly kindled something fierce in their men. 18 year-old midfielder Daniel Russell got the resistance going with an electric piece of footwork that had
Chia Kwang Tse completely sold, but his finish was not up to par, and didn't trouble
Dahan Bok. There was then some concern as forward James Gumbs jarred his right shoulder, but this was soon forgotten as Mcdonald sent a fine corner to the far post, where Odean Ward outjumped
Hein Thiha Pyae Ko but headed it way over.
The half was still young, it seemed, and A.T.P.V.M. would have their goal at the end. It began when right forward Peter Francis got booked for getting a handful of
Hwang Teck Fu in trying to win the ball back, but this only set up Dave Burt's excellent long pass down the right flank. Winger Arthur Blake left
Mohsen El Khateeb behind in a race to the ball, before squeezing it past
Dahan Bok at his near post.
1-3 it was at the break, then, which was well transient as
Ananda Hettiarachchi claimed his maiden goal for Grilled Birds, just two minutes after the restart.
Aw Keng Chuan made good distance down the left against indifferent defending by Marcus McLean, and Ananda demonstrated a rare physicality in bumping Joe Phillips aside to put himself in the path of the cross. Phillips' appeal went unheard, and the Sri Lankan star went on to draw Burt out before the final touch.
The match was getting noticeably rougher with some of the younger A.T.P.V.M. players losing their patience, with Dave Burt fortunate to stay on after he took both of
Genki Nagano's legs out from behind, as the latter glided into range of goal; Nagano would rightly take the penalty kick on personally after a brief stoppage to recover, but Elliot Burt guessed the right way, and Genki couldn't adjust his release in time.
Peter Francis had to leave the pitch four minutes later for a quite unnecessary second yellow card, which only aided Grilled's continued efforts at a fifth.
Hein Thiha Pyae Ko came very close in the 72nd minute after a string of neat passes, before
Damian Hutter had the honour in the 75th with his smooth half-volley on
Chia Kwang Tse's assist.
A.T.P.V.M. were not letting up for all that, and after Clyde Mcdonald received his team's fourth yellow of the day - from which Elliot Burt again denied
Genki Nagano from his on-target free-kick - Dave Burt would also be sent off, after trying to start a scuffle with
Mason Glendinning on the touchline. Genki would lob it to the far post this time, but the goalkeeper stopped
Damian Hutter's low header.
Now down to nine men, A.T.P.V.M. would somehow lose yet another player, as James Gumb fell very awkwardly on his right arm in the 81st minute, which looked so bad that Mohsen sent the ball out of play without delay. Regular forward Nicholas Phillip replaced him, but got next to nothing of the ball before it was over.
