MATCH REPORT; Madison 1 Prospect 0

Gritty Win for Madison Rounds Off The Season

The bad news was that Prospect turned up with 11 players. Based on what Prospect did to Madison the last time they played this could have been a tough omen. In that game they ran the Celts ragged with only 10 players and out played and out fought them for every ball. As it turned out, this game would prove very different, not that it was all smooth sailing. The first fifteen minutes of the game were all played in the Madison half as Prospect mounted a spirited attack. They fought hard for every ball but Madison were also up for the competitive nature of the game and gradually worked themselves into the match. In fact the first foray up the field for Madison proved to be very fruitful. Having cleared their lines at the expense of a corner Prospect were stunned when a simple cross into the box found ace striker Carlos unmarked allowing him to calmly stroke the ball past the goalie and into the net for a lead somewhat against the run of play. Having taken the lead Madison played the rest of the half in the ascendancy. Their defense held firm and Dejan was having a very effective game just in front of the back three breaking up attacks and sending probing balls forward. The Madison forward line were also moving confidently and taking several shots on goal that missed by only inches. In fact they had so many chances to increase their lead one began to think that they may begin to rue all the missed opportunities.

The second half started much like the first ended, with Madison playing well and looking to score an anxiety lowering second. However, as the game wore on Prospect increasingly took more and more charge of the game pushing Madison further and further back into their own half. In fact the last twenty minutes of the game ended up as a back to the walls battle for the Madison defence with Prospect effectively holding on to the ball and snuffing out the Madison attack.

On several occasions it looked like Prospect might snatch an equalizer but they could not get their shots on target. With time running out Madison managed to push into attack again with the darting runs of Carlos proving to be a thorn in the side for Prospect. After one of his lung bursting runs up the whole length of the field he was tripped in the box for a clear penalty to Madison.

Roniildo stepped up but blasted the ball high over the bar, but any disappointment was quenched when the final whistle blew almost immediately. A great win for Madison against a very good Prospect team and some measure of revenge for the defeat they had suffered earlier in the season.

Man Of the Match; Again several good performances throughout the team from Carlos, Roniildo, Fribeka, Tom, Telat and Jodingo!! But the MOM goes to Dejan for the quiet but very effective role he played today in the pocket just in front of the back three. His effectiveness became very noticeable when he actually subbed out of the game leaving a huge gap in the field that allowed Prospect their best attacking opportunities of the game. He came back on and immediately plugged the gap.

This was also a great Birthday present for Jodingo!! who reached his half century in great style.

Below is the first ever video of Jodingo!! playing soccer when he was very young. He is the little one on the left!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m9quIpIIEs&feature=related