MATCH REPORT; Madison 3 Hamden 2

Big Bruce Bruises Behrooz!

It was deja vu all over again as a pesky Hamden team belied their lowly position in the league to give Madison Celtic a run for their money. The final score of 3-2 to Madison was well deserved but not before Hamden had asked some tough questions of the misfiring Celtic team.

A very large squad of players ( 19! ) turned up for duty on a gloriously sunny Spring morning. And when the starting eleven took to the field the Celts looked like they would be far too strong for the league strugglers. And, after the first fifteen minutes of the game, any neutral watching would have said the same. Some powerful surging runs by David ripped holes in the Hamden defence with shocking ease. Unfortunately the Celts were profligate with the chances he created with poor finishing and bad choices in the final 20 yards. Of course, the 7 2 1 formation that Hamden had deployed made their penalty area look like Grand Central during rush hour. Finding space to move was a big issue and as the first half wore on frustration started to build in the Celtic team. Uncharacteristic shouting and finger pointing were only the prelude to Hamden springing a surprise attack which ended in a free kick just outside the Madison penalty box on the right hand side. A few seconds later a superbly struck shot found the ball nestling in the back of the Madison net for a surprise 1 0 lead to the visitors. Celtic bounced back on the offence after this setback with David once again the spear point of the attack. Shots hit the post, then the bar before another formidable run by David, straight into the heart of the Hamden defence, was ended abruptly as he was unceremoniously tripped for a clear penalty to the Celts. Captain Roniildo stepped up and coolly blasted the ball high into the net for the equalizer. Half time gave the Celts time to re-group and reflect on some good debuts by Kris and Ruggerho and even a come back performance from Bambi!

The second half started with the Celts back in control of the game. Great passing between David and Fribeka and then Roniildo allowed the ball to be moved up the field with some urgency. Safet, Tano and Jorge were prowling the crowded Hamden defensive line hoping for a ball that would break for them. But, out of the blue a break away from Hamden set up a fantastic scoring opportunity for the visitors when a superb shot was turned round the post by the Hulk at full stretch. An amazing save that clearly demoralised the Hamden attack. The Hulk was called into action shortly after this when he palmed away another great header that was heading for goal. After these near misses the Celts moved into top gear with some slick passing and accurate shooting. Once again David was at the heart of the action with some great dribbling and passing. But, having watched many of his assists being spurned by his team mates, he decided to take matters into his own hands by striding into the Hamden box and blasting the ball into the net for the go ahead goal for the Celts. Madison were cruising after this and the great defensive plays by Goggs , Telat and Kris meant that The Hulk only had to be called into action once more when he rushed out to clear the ball in his penalty area only to hit El Gato like an unstoppable freight train. End of the game for El Gato as he went off to count his remaining ribs. But it was not the end of the scoring and with ten minutes left on the clock, man of the match contender, Kris rounded off a great days work on his debut by lobbing in the Celts third goal of the day. Of course, nothing is easy in soccer and rather than coasting to the end of the game for a comfortable win the Celts contrived to supply Hamden with a last minute penalty which they duly dispatched to the sound of the referees whistle signaling the end of the game. So three points for the Celts and some ring rustiness eased out of their play as they still sit third in the league behind Guilford and Orange who both won at the weekend. It now looks like the league has turned into a three way race as the rest of the contenders drop away.

MAN OF THE MATCH; Some fabulous performances by Kris, Hulk, Goggs and Telat but the man of the match goes to David, the clear winner for his best game in the green and white hoops!

Great food and drink after the game too!