MATCH REPORT; N Branford 2 Madison 4

The game was played under tough monsoon conditions straight out of a biblical flood scene. Just as the match began the skies ripped asunder to deliver ninety minutes of torrential rain, massive puddles, gallons of muck and a ball as slippery as a bar of soap in a prison shower! Amazingly none of these distractions were enough to derail an irrepressible Madison Celtic team as they romped to their fourth consecutive win of a thirteen game unbeaten season.

The blog roster call during the week had indicated a 22 man squad would be available for the game but as the game kicked off we had eleven players and a sub. Yes, Eleven! Although it was great to see the return of El Flaco from his suspension and La Boca back from, whatever he does when he doesn’t show up. Right from the first minute of the game it was clear that the team that adjusted to the appalling conditions first would get the upper hand. Madison would have to fight hard for the ball as the wet, heavy field made their normal smooth passing game a non starter. The first fifteen minutes of the game were fairly even as both teams tried to adjust to the difficult field and the uncontrollable ball. Some aggressive running by the Madison midfield especially Roniildo and Halil set up a few chances for Tano and El Flaco early on but with no success. North Branford were also fighting hard for the ball in a dour midfield battle with few chances coming for either team. As the promised Madison squad started to appear at the side of the field Goggs, Talat , David and Goggs were introduced to the game allowing the Celts to start taking some measure of control in the match. So it was somewhat against the run of play when the initial break through came. A scramble just outside the Madison box resulted in a shot being fired into the area and as La Boca jumped to clear it, the ball hit his hand. The referee had no hesitation pointing to the spot immediately triggering the perennial hand to ball; ball to hand debate on the side line. The Hulk had no chance as the ball was blasted into the net to give the home team the lead. This set back only seemed to encourage the Madison team to fight even harder with some great tackling and hustling play from David, Halil and Roniildo in the midfield. Carlos was also making some great runs up front but the shots on the Branford goal were just missing or being saved. A great Tano shot hit the post and Jorge went narrowly wide as Madison ramped up the pressure on the North Branford goal. And just as it looked like the home team might survive to the half time whistle a corner kick was floated in from Roniildo and cleared to the edge of the box only to be met by the maestro El Flaco who twisted his body in the air to meet the ball with a scorching shot that sailed into the net for the deserved Madison equalizer. One one at halftime and a strong sense the game was there for the taking.
Madison started the second half strongly forcing the Branford team on to the defensive and resort to fouling on a regular basis. David and Roniildo were the two main targets for Branford’s more aggressive approach but they stood up well to the robust tackles. In fact Roniildo thrived on the attention and went on a run into the opposition box before being rashly bundled to the ground by the goal keeper. A clear penalty for Madison, allowing Roniildo to get up from the muck to slam the ball into the net for the go ahead goal. The ability to sub players in and out was now starting to play a big factor in the game. Kris, Goggs and La Boca at the center back slots were immense and Jodingo!!, Talat, El Gato and Pink were doing a sterling job in the back positions. But the midfield was where all the action was happening and Ilhan, FrIbeka, Ruggerho and Bambi were playing their part in making sure Branford would not get back into the game as they supplemented the great play of Halil, David, Roniildo and Flaco. Another great move from midfield then gave Madison a two goal advantage. David found himself on the left side of the field but tightly marked and with only a few options available to him. He expertly slipped his marker took a couple of strides and unleashed a shot that clearly took the Branford goalkeeper by surprise as it rolled into the net to make it 3-1 to the Celts. Game over? Not so fast! Just as the celebrations had died down, another scramble inside the Madison box resulted in Talat being judged to have fouled a Branford player. Another penalty and another goal for the opposition to bring them back into the game. But this is when a strong squad comes to the rescue. La Boca had been asked to go up front and score a goal and that’s exactly what he did. A fantastic, skillful run by El Flaco down the Madison left side, found him deep in the Branford penalty box. A brief moment to look up and he then rolled a delicious ball right to the feet of the unmarked La Boca, one yard from the goal line, who could only do one thing and slam the ball into the net to restore the two goal lead for the Celts.
The last ten minutes saw some pretty tired tackling from the Branford team as they tried to rescue the game but to no avail. The Celts ran out deserved victors in a tough game played under even tougher conditions. Another great three points in a tight championship race that is really hotting up! Big top of the league clash next week as the top two teams face off for bragging rights!

MAN OF THE MATCH; A tough one this weekend as so many players had great games with three in particular standing out. The skill of the returning El Flaco , the hard running of David and the tough tackling of Ronnildo. But in the end, the great goal, the assist and the ever present threat by El Flaco wins him the MOM