MATCH REPORT; Madison 4 Southington 2

Fortress Madison keep unbeaten home run going

Fabulous summer Sun and a clear blue sky greeted both teams as they strode onto an increasingly dilapidated looking Madison home field. Never has such a poorly cared for field been so strongly defended though. Unbeaten for nearly two years, Madison have created a fortress on a field where grass is becoming as rare as hair on Jorge's head.

The match started evenly enough but Southington were quick on the break and within the first five minutes had tested the goal keeping prowess of the inimitable El Gato. A powerfully struck shot was strongly palmed away by the outstretched keeper to save the blushes of the disorganized Madison defence. Regrettably, the lesson was not learned and a few minutes later after a prodigious throw in by Southington, the ball sailed over the statuesque Madison defenders and bounced neatly for an unmarked striker to nod the ball into the net. One nil down early in the half and on the ropes was not the start Madison wanted. Luckily, the defence managed to get it's act together and allowed Madison to pile pressure onto the Southington defence. Strong running and tackling by the Madison midfield quartet of Jodinho, Roniildo, Fribeka and Tom started to shake up the visitors and after a great run and pass by Jodinho, Enrique shot past the Southington goalie for the equalizer. Madison turned up the heat after this and a few minutes later Enrique slammed another great shot past the stranded goalkeeper to take a well deserved lead. Southington were finding it increasingly hard to get the ball out of their own half and any stray ball was being picked up by the Madison midfielders. One such loose ball was picked up by Jodinho who stormed down the Madison right into the Southington penalty box where he crossed a wicked low shot across the 8 yard line. The goalkeeper stretched to save it but the ball took a deflection and squirmed into the net for Madison's third.

Half time came with Madison controlling the game and playing well. The second half followed a similar pattern for the first ten minutes but then Southington started to ease themselves back into the game, pushing Madison deeper and deeper into defence. Madison were also giving away cheap fouls and it was after one such foul that Southingtom lifted the ball over the static defence for their onrushing striker to stroke the ball past El Gato. Game on.....and over the next twenty minutes the game seesawed back and forth, with Jorge hitting the post twice and Southington coming close with low shots just past the post. Some crunching tackles were being unloaded by both teams particularly one on Jodinho that looked like a full body assault. But, with five minutes left in the game, the ball was moved down the right hand side of the field by Madison and just outside of the Southington box the ball spun to Scotty. He quickly controlled the ball, twisted his body to shoot and unleashed the most superb of left footed shots high into the Southington net What a way to seal a victory and what a goal to keep the unbeaten record going.

Madison look like a different team at home and the next trick will be to try and take some of that verve and style on the road!

Man of the Match; Jodinho. Some great tackling, hassling and passing was the hallmark of Jodinho's game today but the added contribution of an assist for Enrique's goal and his own lung bursting run topped off by a goal makes him the man of the match!