MATCH REPORT; Madison 3 Guilford 1

The really big games bring out the best players and the best moments. Real versus Barca, Man Utd versus Liverpool, Celtic versus Rangers have all had their big moments and crucial memorable games. But all of these big derbies pale in comparison to the really big one! The Connecticut Superclassico ! Madison Celtic versus Guilford Bell Curve! Ok....I admit, that's a bit of an exaggeration .... But it was a great game and had some big moments!

Celtic had an an early chance to revenge their 3 0 defeat to Guilford at the end of the last season break. A nearly full squad of players turned up on the day boosted by the arrival of new player Paulo. A hot muggy day added to the problems of a field that had not been cut in weeks, months? The grass was so tall Tano could go missing for large chunks of the game!

Even though the playing conditions were not optimal the game set off at a quick pace with both teams attacking aggressively. Over the first fifteen minutes of the game Guilford were probably edging it with better possession and cleaner passing. They certainly looked the more likely to score as Madison struggled to get into good scoring positions. The Hulk was regularly called into action tipping shots over the bar or bravely smothering attacks right at the final moment. Just as it looked like Guilford were going to take full control of the game Madison got a breakthrough. Some skillful play up the Madison left side drew the Guilford defense just enough to create an opening for Halil. Tano saw him move into clear space on the right and passed a great ball to him. Halil strode into the Guilford box and confidently slammed the ball into the net for the go ahead goal. Madison clearly boosted by this goal started to up their game and really put some pressure on the Guilford team for the first time in the match. A few chances came for Jorge and Tano but the Celts could not stretch heir lead. Then without much warning a stray pass by the Madison midfield allowed Guilford to push the ball down the Madison left side bypassing the stranded Johnaldo and eluding the on rushing La Boca. Even the Hulks heroics could not stop the ball from being expertly placed into the Celtic net for the equalizer. At this point in the game tempers were getting frayed and a few yellow cards were flashed by the ref in an attempt to regain control of the game. Thankfully half time came with no further yellows or red cards and no further goals.

The second half started with a very sluggish Celtic team on the field. A combination of the heat and the heavy grass looked like it was sapping the energy from the Madison team much more obviously than the opposition. In fact without some key saves and blocks by the Hulk the Celts could have fallen behind. The Madison defense were getting a full workout at this point but great play by Jodingo!! and TomA kept the team moving. Gradually the great scrappy style of play expressed by Halil in the midfield started to stem the tide and move it in the direction of the Celts. And then the ridiculously long grass started to work in favor of Madison. With 25 minutes left on the clock a weak pass back by one of the Guilford defenders was held up badly by the grass allowing the ever predatory Tano to nip in and guide the ball past the stranded goalkeeper for the go ahead goal. This got the Celtic tails up but the stronger response to the goal came from Guilford as they piled even more pressure on the Madison defense. More great stops by the Hulk and timely clearances by the back four kept the Celts with their nose in the lead right up to the last few minutes. Guilford were getting increasingly desperate and a little bit tetchy with petty tackles. Then they hit some real problems when their best defender was given a second yellow and sent off. Even with a man down Guilford were a threat with more chances coming their way. But just as the anxiety levels reached ever higher in the Madison team the Guilford defense repeated the exact same mistake with a short pass back right in front of Tano who gleefully collected the ball and wasted no time dispatching it into the net. With only injury time left the Celts held out to grab all three points and leapfrog their closest rivals in the table. Madison now hold the second promotion spot and have their destiny in their own hands.

Man of the Match; Great play by Halil in midfield, Jodingo!! and TomA in defense and two goals and an assist by Tano made the choice very difficult but for some game saving saves the spotted dick goes to The Hulk!