A tale of two halves.....

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"...... with apologies to Charles Dickens....this last game of the indoor season was a tough one. Madison sailed into a 3-0 lead before the first half was over but were pegged back in the second half by a battling Branford side. Two goals by the Branford team without reply made the last ten minutes of the game more nerve racking than you could have predicted. The Mad Celts started the game with controlled tight passing and a lot of energy which pushed Branford back into their half. The breakthrough came early when a great run by Fribeka and superb cross found Carlito in space allowing him to slam the ball past a stranded goalkeeper. The pressure on Branford was unrelenting and after a fast break by Roniildo, through the middle of the Branford defence, the resulting pass to yours truly allowed a quick shot which curved round the outstretched goalie and into the net for a well deserved 2-0 lead. The half was rounded off nicely when Carlito took a fast corner which reached an onrushing Jodinho who crashed the ball off a Branford defender and into the net.....End of the first half and clearly, it was the best of times. Unfortunately the worst of times was just about to arrive in the shape of a re-invigorated Branford team. The second half was totally dominated by them as Madison fell out of the game completely. Branford took the game to Madison, playing a pressing game, which was rewarded with two great unstoppable goals. They would have scored many more if El Gutso had not been in such great form pulling off one great save after another.

Madison Celtic managed to hold on without really threatening the Branford goal and luckily finished 3-2 winners and unbeaten in the second session of indoor soccer.

Overall the two indoor session have been great fun, good practice and at least keeping some of the core team in shape for the outdoor season.

So, let's talk about the outdoor season, it starts next week!

As you will have worked out by now, if you had read the last posting and all the comments, we are now going to be playing in Div 1 for the 2009 season. This will be a big challenge because we do not have a big squad and we are carrying a number of injuries. We need all our players from last season back and ready to play. RoRo and Jorge will be vital to provide the cutting edge up front and hopefully supported by an attacking group of offensively minded players such as Carlito, Enrique and Scotty. Our tough tackling midfield of Roniildo, Jodinho and Jacques will also be aided by players such as Tom the Coach, Jerry and Tom Judge. At the back, La Boca, El Gutso, Johnaldo and Pink will certainly need more defensive options ( players!)....Hamid?? Of course, all our crocked players have to try and make come backs at some point in the season. But, our biggest challenge is finding a goalkeeper that can play every week! We need Kevinho and others to help out. Maybe El Gutso?? If El Gutso says yes then we can allow him to use this quote....sorry Charles.

"It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known"