NEXT GAME; Sunday June 2nd VS Fairfield GAC

Our next game is an away game  against Fairfield GAC. They are the other team that plays in green and white hoops! This is a 10 am kick off and the directions to the field are below;

SOUTH PINE CREEK PARK (also known as OLD DAM ROAD):

I-95 to Exit 21. Southbound left, Northbound right and go under I-95 and railroad underpass to traffic light (Post Road / Route 1). Take right onto Post Road, go to next traffic light and turn left onto South Pine Creek Road, go past stop sign for about 3⁄4 mile, and turn left onto Old Dam Road. Field on left behind softball and football fields.

We played Fairfield a couple of times last season winning once and drawing once. They can be a tough opponent but if we are up for it we should win.

Who is in?  Lets get a good away team list

MATCH REPORT; Madison 0 Norwalk S.C. 1

Another tough day at the office for the Celts as they slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to Norwalk S.C. It was a fairly evenly matched game throughout the 90 minutes but Norwalk took their chance when it appeared. The Celts got off to a very scrappy start with really poor passing and tactical naivety. As the first half proceeded it was obvious that the different sections of the home team were struggling to connect. An old problem also reared its head when a huge gap appeared in the middle of the field allowing the opposition to control the ball in midfield with little challenge. This problem occurs when the left and right midfielders hug the line and the two center midfielders get caught on opposite ends of the field. Its a problem that is easily solved by having the two center players stay withing a few yards of each other and for the 'wingers' to close in. Simple, but difficult to make happen during the game. The problem led to the opposition goal as the Norwalk team attacked easily and took advantage of a mix up between the goalie and his defenders to score the go ahead goal. The second half was a much better performance by the Celts but they could not get enough shots on goal and when they did their goalie was on form. A frustrating defeat for the Celts who are playing reasonably well in patches but need to score to make sure they can at least get a share of the points. After 5 games they are very close to the bottom of the table although others teams are losing at the same rate as the Celts. Still a long way to go!

MAN OF THE MATCH;  Alex had a great game in defence and in attack and gets a deserved MOM

NEXT GAME; Sunday 19th May vs Norwalk S.C.

Our next game is a a home match at Exchange field against Norwalk Sports Columbia. This is a 10am kick off. The last time we played them we lost 3-1 but should have done so much better.

Match Report from last game against Norwalk SC

Let's do a roll call as soon as we can.  Anyone want to do the beer run?

MATCH REPORT; Orange 1 Madison Celtic 2

Celtic got back on track with a great win away to Orange. It was an early kick off but the Celts got off to a bright start with lots of possession and great passing. The defensive line up was strong and the midfield were holding the center well. Orange are always a strong team so it shouldn't have been a surprise that they scored first. Carlos was caught dribbling the ball just outside the box, was  expertly dispossessed and the incredulous Orange forward kept his cool slotted the ball past the stranded Hulk. The shock was that it happened after so much Madison control. The Celts bounced back with even more possession. The midfield of Johnny B, Roniildo and Rob Bz were playing great as a unit with first Ruggerho and then Fribeka adding in. The only issue was that the Celts were not generating enough clear cut chances up front. As the half wore on it felt like wave after wave of attack was hitting the Orange back line. They held up well until a great move in the last  five minutes of the first half. A superb break by Johnny B down the right wing saw him surge to the edge of the box were he unleashed a powerful cross box pass. To everyone's amazement, including his own, the person at the end of the cross with a flying header was Johnaldo who crashed an unstoppable rocket past the Orange goalie. A superb equalizer and a reminder of Johnaldo's old striking prowess that appears once in a green moon. The second half saw the Orange team lose a player and become increasingly defensive as the Celts went for the kill. Constant attacks produced save after save from the Orange goalie as Madison pressed for the winner. Even though the Celts had nearly 90% of the ball they had to be wary of break aways and a couple of times they were saved by Hulk tipping the ball over the post or gathering a long range drive. As the half wore on it looked increasingly that Orange were going to hold out for a point. But with only eight minutes left on the clock some persistent play by Tano in the box resulted in a rebounded shot landing at the feet of Rob Bz who slammed it past the despairing dive of the Orange goalie. The Celts held on over the last nervy five minutes of the half to gather all three points!

Man Of The Match; Again some great performances from Johnny B and Rob , especially in the first half. Goggs was also back at his best and Roniildo was doing some great tackling and attacking play. But for his amazing flying header, and because I'm biased, the MOM goes to Johnaldo!

NEXT GAME; Sunday 5th May VS Orange!

Our next game is an away match versus our old rivals Orange. This is an away game with an 8.30am kick off!  That's right 8.30!!  At time of writing this i have 7 confirmed players so we need more. Let's not forfeit two in a row guys......

Here are the field directions;

FRED WOLFE PARK:

300 Hollow Road, Orange, CT 06477

I-95 South to Exit 39B (Connecticut Post Mall Exit / Route 1). At the end of the exit ramp take Route 1 North. Move into the left lane and at the first traffic light (near Burger King) turn left onto Cedarhurst Lane. Go to the third stop sign and turn right onto Orange Avenue for 1 mile where it will change into Ridge Road. Continue on Ridge Road for about 1⁄4 mile and turn right onto Hollow Road. Go to end of Hollow Road and you will see the entrance to the park.

Route 15 South (Wilbur Cross / Merritt Parkway) to Exit 56. At the end of the exit ramp turn right onto Grassy Hill Road (Route 121 South). Go 0.6 to 0.8 miles and turn left onto Meeting House Lane. At the stop sign at the top of the hill, turn right onto Ridge Road. Go 0.3 miles and take the third left onto Hollow Road. The entrance to the park is at the end of Hollow Road (a cul-de-sac/dead end road).

Teams should note that NO ALCOHOL is allowed in the park!

Try and get there for 8am so you can warm up and to make sure you are not late for the start

Let's make it a happy cinco de Mayo!