Monday, November 24, 2008

MATCH REPORT; New Fairfield 3 Madison 1

Madison frozen out of the points in tough season ender



By Jodinho

Reluctant to peel down to our uniforms in the Artic-like conditions (28 degrees F and windy) with only 11 players representing the proud Celtic side, and with several key defensive players, La Boca, Johnaldo and Hamid, nowhere to be found, the teams took the field away to New Fairfield. (Another significant player, Los Guantes de Blanco, unexpectedly withdrew from traveling to the field as he informed his amigo, Carlito, "Es muy frio! Yo no va!") The opponents did not lack for substitutes and played aggressively, and Celtic were up to the challenge. Tough physical play quickly morphed into an ugly match, and New Fairfield struck first when a mix up in the back line resulted in a too easy goal in the first few minutes of play. Celtic pushed back hard and had, as has been our trademark this season, numerous opportunities to put the ball into the back of New Fairfield's net, but with nothing to show for it. In the meantime,New Fairfield's English striker caused fits for the Celtic side and drew the attention of Roniildo who was determined to keep his fellow UK statesman in line.The second half was a continuation of the first, with excellent play in the middle and up top, and lousy, loose play in the back....it was clear that Celtic's defense was in disarray and was having difficulty with repeated strikes toward our goal. Nimble El Gato saved a number of wicked close-range shots by New Fairfield and kept Celtic in the game. Midway through the half, several Celtic players perversely stopped play to discuss the possibility of a ball going over the sideline, all the while NewFairfield sprinted down the field and pounced on yet another all too easy goal. Emotions were tellingly high, with La Boca Junior and Scotty leading the chorus. RoRo placed a couple of nice shots just wide of goal.Things completely unraveled when Jodinho twice attempted to clear the ball from the box, only to kick the ball directly to the opponent at the 30-yard mark who, with a quick pass to his forward sprinting teammate, quickly capitalized. 3-0!! And to think we were playing even or better than NewFairfield! Just when hope was all but lost with only 15 minutes left in the match, RoRo sliced a short cross from the right corner into Ronildo who neatly tucked it away with a powerful shot. Celtic saw a glimmer of hope, which ignited into newly-found high energy when Scotty was taken down in the box by the keeper. Expectations of a successful penalty kick by Ahmad to bring us to only one down with 10 minutes to play were quickly extinguished as the right post was struck and the ball caromed off in a disadvantageous direction. With that, Celtic valiantly attempted to score, but the air was out of us as the ensuing end whistle approached. In the end, a gutsy show of determination, but a demoralizing defeat at the hands of well-matched New Fairfield side. Apres game: Carlito provided a party platter of his home-made wings which were very good...if only we could hold onto to them with our numb fingers.Of course, the wings were washed down with cervezas compliments of Jerry. In order to appease Roniildo, he was also promised that he would be selected to take the first penalty kick of the spring season.

Happy Holidays!

43 comments:

  1. post game comment.....Carlito and Ronilldo are now US citizens!!

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  2. We could've used johnaldo yesterday.....we lost 3-1 in the sub-freezing cold.
    We only had 11 guys and you, Danny, and Hamid were absent and Rob was
    playing on a sore ankle. A couple of major gaffs (one by Tom, one by me)
    led to two of their goals, and the third goal was partly due to Carlos and
    La Boca Junior, a,k.a., Jacques stopping and arguing with the ref about a
    ball that they thought was out of bounds...all the while the opponent ran
    by them and outnumbered the defense and put in an easy goal.

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  3. great match report Jodinho!.....you could have a rival blog!! Sounds like a tough game though....shame the sesaon ends this way but it was good overall. If we can keep the team together we will have a great season next year!

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  4. I spent all Sunday afternoon and night with my thesaurus in an attempt to
    maintain the established level of reporting excellence.......

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  5. yes, it is a veritable cornucopia of ideas and an excellent use of the
    lexicon at your disposal....you are now pullulating with words!

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  6. Okay, after your persuasive use of your King's language, I've decided you
    can keep the reporter's duties! : )

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  7. Great report Jody.
    Let's get more organized for next fall and name the officers for a new beginning. Yes we can!!!!!

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  8. El Gato, You can start in the fall, the rest of us will start in the
    spring!

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  9. Right!

    I'll start by nominating Johnaldo as our official "Blog Reporter"

    And La Boca as the official "No-Show Tallykeeper"

    And Roniildo as the official "Morale Booster"

    And Fribeka as the official "Team Spokesman"

    And.....

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  10. Good reporting Jodinho .....and thanks for taking the time and reporting it to everyone. Good Fall season and looking forward to indoor Winter session first and then Spring season.

    I will email you about indoors games (only to those who will be playing) as we get closer to the schedule.

    Have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy your time with the family

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  11. those are good.......but we also need;

    Substitute organizer........can be decided on game day, but needed.
    Finance organizer(s)......provides clarity on our fees and can actually
    allow us to plan for new shirts, balls, night out etc
    Beer/drink organizer......essential role!!
    Team Captain.........on field captain is needed to keep the team cool when
    overly heated...and to turn the heat up when we are cold as ice

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  12. Johnaldo, Just order new uniforms for us and we'll figure out the expenses
    later......

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  13. ...... Santa Claus.....i aint

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  14. That's not what we heard!

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  15. Most importantly, we need a home field coordinator!

    I nominate Behrooz. (You're welcome Behrooz!)

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  16. Who is our current team captain?

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  17. I was once, but was relegated to the sideline when new, unproven, players
    showed up.....

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  18. Since we're in the nominating mode, I nominate Roniildo for Team Captain!

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  19. We only need one. Therefore, if I take the job then no one else should get involved.

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  20. Perfect! El gato You got it!

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  21. Are you serious...i would be honored to serve if got enough votes. We
    should vote on all the categories that john just posted. we could vote
    on the blog, just as we did for player of the seasons!

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  22. I nominate Roniildo for team capitan and Johnaldo for Treasurer(moneyman), in addition to blog reporter ofcourse

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  23. I didn't mean we needed a second. captain...just affirming my support for you ;-)

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  24. I'm very serious. You have my vote.

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  25. Thanks Jodinho....if i'm confirmed, you'll never be sidelined ever again

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  26. I'm liking the way this is working......

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  27. what a great democracy of 4 people we have!

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  28. That is a grat idea. John can you set up a voting column for officers on the blog for different tasks? I promise no vote rigging this time

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  29. yes i can do that....we also have the player of the Fall season polls to be done!

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  30. one vote only per category......it is the honor system

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  31. Before I vote, I want to know if you brought back lamb's tail keychains as
    we requested......

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  32. all the lambs were being used at the time, so no luck chum

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  33. Just as well.....I wanted a clean lamb's tail.....

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  34. What happens when team captain doesn't show up....he will be replaced

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  35. We need a co-capitan category.
    I vote for jody for that. Then it is a done deal......

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  36. Only if I'm allowed onto the field....

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  37. all teams have vice captains.....i think Jody should be captain of vice

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  38. would like to be considered for the Beer drunk, I mean drink organizer. Jerry

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  39. I suggest we have alternates for all team roles in case the primary person thinks it's too cold to play:



    captain (vice president)
    treasurer (assistant treasury secretary)
    organizer (secretary of state)
    beer wench (assistant director of health and human services)
    etc.

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  40. I vaguely remember after the last game Ron stating that as paid professionals no one would be allowed to miss any games. Although his exact eloquent phrasing I forget. Jerry

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  41. i'm still recovering from Celtic being knocked out of Europe tonight.....lost to some crappy team called Aalborg from Denmark!......this is a really bad, no excuses type of loss.....extends Celtic's horrendous away record in Europe over the last 7 years.....it make me so angry that they lose to duff teams like this......

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