MATCH REPORT; Norwalk Mariners 2 Madison 3

Another fantastic win for the in form Celts against the Norwalk Mariners after last weeks equally impressive win against Orange. Testing Karma to the fullest, the new State champs celebrated their famous cup win with a trophy photo shoot prior to the start of the game.They looked happy but that was the only joy they had all day. The Celts with their newly configured defensive line up started the match confidently, subduing any initially forays by the home team and launching a few fast attacks. Tano and La Boca were the starting strike force and they were running about the Norwalk defenders like irritating fly's on a horses arse. After eleven minutes this constant probing paid off when a run by Carlos down the left ended with crossed ball into a ruck of players in the box. La Boca kept his legendary cool as others panicked and slotted the ball into the net for the go ahead goal. Norwalk were stunned but tried to get back into the match with some attacking of their own. However the Madison defence were in "fortress mode" and nothing was getting through them and when it did the Hulk was there to snuff it out. John B was again keeping up his incredibly consistent run of form with another enforcer role in midfield, ably helped by Captain Roniildo, Halil and Ruggerho. The Celts were in total control of the game and the only distraction was the somewhat fussy ref who  was handing out yellow cards like they were on sale. The half came to an end with the Celts well on top and playing confidently. But a shock was in store and after only 8 minutes of the restart the visitors were 2-1 down! The Mariners went for the Celtic defense right from the whistle and somehow rattled the previously composed back line. A simple attack down the middle allowed a player to go unimpeded right to the edge of the box and a simple pass allowed another Norwalk player to complete the move by slotting the ball past the stranded Hulk. If that was bad, then only a few minutes later the horrible start to the second half was completed when a cheap free kick was given away at the edge of the box and as the ball was slammed into the wall Ruggerho moved his arm to edge the ball away. It was just too obvious a move for the ref to ignore and so it was a penalty to Norwalk that was easily dispatched to undo all the great work done in the first half. To their credit the Celts knuckled down to winning the game all over again. Strong running by Ruggerho and Halil and some tough tackling put the Norwalk team back into the defensive formation they had been using for most of the first half. This allowed the Celtic midfield to take a strangle hold on the game again. With marauding runs by Edmilson and El Flaco on the wings it was perhaps inevitable that the Celts would strike back. And when the impressive John B got hold of the ball on the edge of the opposition box he didn't hesitate to slam the ball past the goalkeeper for the equalizing goal. The game was now very open and the Celts came close with a couple of shots that hit the post and bar. Norwalk also had their moments to get back in front but Goggs and Edimar held firm at the back. With only ten minutes left on the clock a  great ball through to Tano saw him run free from the defense and with only the goal keeper to beat he slotted the ball into the net for the go ahead goal. The Celts had to endure a couple of panicky moments near the end but they mostly keep their composure and again ran the clock down for a famous away victory against the Connecticut state cup champions!

Only one more game left of the Summer season and the Celts are now back to a 50/50 win/loss season in their first year in Division two. They can make it a winning first half to the season if they can grab all three points against Greenwich Arsenal next Sunday. In this imperious form I wouldn't put it past them!

MAN OF THE MATCH; Some fantastic performances by the defensive back four and the Hulk. La Boca and Tano were also very effective up front and Halil had a great game attacking and defending in equal measure. But, for the controlling performance in the middle of the field and a great equalizing goal when the Celts badly needed it, the MOM goes yet again to John B!