MATCH REPORT; Madison 6 North Branford 2

If there is a really tough way to win a game then Madison Celtic will find it! On paper this match should have been a relatively easy win for the Celts. And the end result of a 6 2 win would imply that's exactly what happened but if you had joined the game after ten minutes you would have seen a home team 2-0 down after two howlers and struggling to get a foothold in the match.

North Branford set about the game with a brisk focus, clearly intent to ruffle the Madison defence. And how easy that was ! The game had barely started when a simple break down the Madison left was followed by a missed tackle, an exposed goalie and a simple shot into the net. If that was bad the second was worse! Another simple break then a fairly weak shot from the edge of the Madison box saw the Hulk scrambling to stop the ball and a slow motion car crash attempt at a save as the ball squirmed under his arm and rolled over the line. Two nil down and a mountain to climb. To the credit of the Celts they responded by switching on the after burners and really punishing the Branford defence. Tano was central to most of the action up front and started a sparkling performance on the day by bursting through the visitors defence getting a shot on target only to see the goalie parry the ball but right into the path of Talat who slammed the ball into the net. The comeback was on! Shortly after this breakthrough another marauding run down the right by Talat was finished off by Jorge who timed his run into the box perfectly to meet the inch perfect pass from the right and thumping the ball into the net for the equalizer. The demoralized Branford team knew at that point they were in trouble and that was confirmed when the superb Tano showing some great individual skills to elude the last defender and curl in a superb shot from a about 25 yards out to take the lead. The Celts were in total control at this point and emphasized the point when Halil dribbled past a couple of defenders before clinically finishing with a shot that slammed past the goalie to give the Celts a remarkable 4-2 position at half time. The team had played very well during the half with superb movement by Tano, Paulo and Jorge up front ably supported by a strong midfield cohort. Notable performances by Bambi and Ilhan complimented the great driving play of Halil. Once again Jody had a very solid display at the back supporting the unusually fragile Hulk. His only mistake on the day was a superb pass he made to an opposition attacker.... but he managed to "chase down his shame" by getting the ball back!

The second half was an easy stroll for the Celts. The Branford team could not get on the ball and when they did they were closed down by Halil or David in the middle. Any sign of this being a competitive game was snuffed out midway through the second half when Madison got a free kick a few yards outside the Branford box. David set his sights on goal and fired in a stunning swerving shot giving the hapless goalie no chance. Tano then rounded off the day and his own fabulous performance with his second and Madison's 6th goal of the day. The referee put the Branford team out of their misery by signalling the end of the game and a wonderful comeback by Madison.

Man of the Match; Some great performances by Talat, Halil and David on the day but the player in fantastic form and deadly all through the game was Tano!