Published on Dec 25 2009 by Nazim Sehat-e-Jismani (Sports): Imaad Bajwa

New Malden has been widely recognised as a team that plays fluid, skilful and attacking football, so the neutrals were looking forward to the game against the equally attacking Morden, with some quarters of the sporting media naming the game in the same vein as Brazil v Portugal yet in the end it turned out to be more like Blackburn v Hull.

Thankfully, New Malden did manage to win the game after grabbing a 1-0 victory in an important game through a goal from the in-form Raheel. The game was far from a classic, and will go under the ‘scrappy game’ umbrella – with the feature of the game being the long balls from NM.

Shahid was unable to attend to take his place in goal due to work commitments, yet pictures have emerged in the tabloid papers of Shahid eating a large kebab in Southampton at 9pm instead of playing for his beloved NM; insiders have said that captain Tamoor will read the riot act to him. His place was taken by Rizwan, many members of the team took a collective gulp at the thought of Rizwan in goal, as he is more Ben Foster then Edwin Van Der Sar, more Massimo Taibi then Peter Schmeichel, more... well, you get the picture.

NM’s answer to Rio Ferdinand (when he was good) Omar Chaudhary made his long awaited return to the starting line up alongside Sulman in defence, with Khurram being deployed in the holding midfield role, with Aneel, Raheel and Tamoor in front of him. NM were the better team in the opening minutes yet were unable produce anything in the final third, however the defence remained firm at the back to ensure Morden would not grab an undeserved goal.

The deadlock was finally broken after NM scored on the counter attack, a corner from Morden was cleared which eventually broke to Raheel who raced clear to tap into the net. NM wasted a few good opportunities before the half time whistle, yet the major positive was that rookie goalkeeper Rizwan did not have a save to make in the first half.

The second half did not really endear itself to the neutrals with both teams nullifying their opponents attacking options. Aneel used his pace and tenacity to mark Morden dangerman Akash out of the game, preventing his trademark dribbles. The members of the NM team must have mistaken Tamoor as the brown Emile Heskey, using his burly figure as a reason to launch long balls forward, without any real penetration.

Morden kept the ball well, yet anytime they dared to enter the box Omar and Sulman were there to cut out any chance of a threat. Tamoor introduced the ‘youts’ in the form of Usman Chaudhary and Bader to add some energy and flair to NM’s game yet this failed to give them the much desired two goal cushion. As the game entered its final stages, it was clear a hero was needed for Morden yet any dreams were dashed by the heavily bearded man in goal. Rizwan, who had largely nothing to do in the whole game pulled off a fantastic last minute save when the opponents were put through one on one to ensure NM took all three points. Shahid Hashmi are you watching?

The next game is against Baitul Futuh on 18^th December at 9pm. Captain Tamoor is expected to name his strongest squad yet for this game.