MATCH REPORT; Madison Celtic 4 New Fairfield 3

Incredible Comeback Victory For Super Celts

As the ref blew the whistle for half time Madison Celtic were deep in trouble and heading deeper. Even though they had played reasonably well in the first 45 mins they just could not contain the pacy, incisive moves of the New Fairfield forward line and were 3-0 down and nearly out. And if that wasn't bad enough, in the last minute of the half BOR had fallen heavily on his shoulder and had either dislocated it or broken his collar bone. Either one was not good and the game was delayed for twenty minutes as an ambulance was called and BOR carted off to the hospital.

With no subs left and a rampaging opposition with the taste of blood in their mouths it was with some trepidation that the Madison team took to the field for the second half. But instead of folding Madison launched a stupendous fight back that rocked New Fairfield to their core.

Controlling the ball with more confidence, Madison were able to push up the field and really put the New Fairfield defence under significant pressure. Some great attacking runs by Henrique and Carlos were stretching their back line to the breaking point. And finally, after one of Henrique's probing runs was unceremoniously stopped by an opposition defender blatantly tripping him, Madison were awarded a deserved penalty. Henrique dragged himself up, dusted himself down and slammed the ball into the net to give Madison a lifeline in the game. However, New Fairfield had lost none of their potency up front and were moving forward with great effect. They had several clear goal chances that were broken up by Tom and Telat, both playing their best game of the season. Those chances that did get by them luckily hit the bar, the post or were gathered up by El Gato. After absorbing this pressure for a fair amount of time Madison went back on the attack and some great interplay by Carlos and Henrique resulted in a glorious arcing shot by Henrique that screamed into the net for Madison's, and his second, goal of the game. At this point in the match New Fairfield were clearly rattled and Madison could feel the tide turning. Some great aggressive play by Fribeka and Roniildo in the midfield kept possession for Madison at critical times. Time and again, as New Fairfield broke through, Telat was their to gather the ball up and restart the Madison attack with excellent distribution. Playing with real coolness and quality this was a very impressive display at the right back position. But it was a last gasp tackle by the other impressive defender, Tom A, that led to the best move of the game. A misplaced pass by Madison allowed one of the fastest New Fairfield players a clear run at goal with only Tom to beat. But a superb, shuddering tackle by Tom was followed up by an equally fantastic pass that eventually allowed Carlos a clear run on goal. He didn't waste his chance and amazingly Madison had their equalizer.

New Fairfield could not believe what was happening to them but to their credit they continued to push forward looking for the goal that would regain their lead. Two shots could have quickly given them that lead back but one rattled the cross bar and the other was cleared off the line by Ilan. Celtic were hanging on by their fingernails at this stage of the game as New Fairfield went all out in the last ten minutes. They threw the kitchen sink at Madison with hard play, tough tackles and constant attacking but the home defence held firm. And as the clock edged closer and closer to the final whistle this game had a final sting in the tail for New Fairfield. A free kick won in the New Fairfield half was taken quickly by Johnaldo who found Carlos at the edge of the New Fairfield box. The mercurial striker took the ball neatly past the last defender and with only the goalkeeper to beat he confidently swept past him slamming the ball into the net for a glorious winning goal.

The referee blew his whistle to end a tumultuous game and an incredible comeback by Madison to win the match against a really tough New Fairfield team. What a way to end the season!

MAN OF THE MATCH; The second half threw up a number of contenders for MOM. Henrique and Carlos for their great attacking play, Fribeka and Roniildo for their tough midfield tackling and passing. But without doubt the MOM award has to be given to two defenders for their outstanding play today. Both Telat and Tom A take the award for some fantastic play.

Let's hope BOR is back in action soon.