A dreary, wet start to the day almost had this derby game in doubt, but after some consulting with weather maps and radar scans the game kicked of at 8.15 am. If the field was damp and a bit soggy it didn't seem to affect the home side who got stuck into the game right from the whistle. An assertive back line of Dan and Mike made sure that Guilford knew early on that no prisoners were going to be taken! Some tough tackles and great clearances filled the team with confidence. The unusual starting midfield of Tom, Fribeka, Ruggero and Robert fought hard for the ball and set up some nice passing moves between each other and the two guys up front, Leo and Kevin. Most of the chances were falling to Madison, a team clearly motivated by the threat of relegation. Ruggero had a couple of nice runs with completed shots at the end of them. Tom was playing some smart football down the right midfield and Carlos was bursting up the left flank every chance he was getting. Jodingo!! was already heading for a solid game at right back mopping up anything that came his way. When the team was augmented by the Brazilian combo of Alex and Edmilson half way through the first 45 Madison stepped it up another gear. Some great probing runs and crosses were really testing the Guilford back four but unfortunately every lofted ball into the box was easily plucked out of the air by the impressive Guilford goalie. It looked increasingly likely that Madison would get the opening goal and when it came it was a piece of individual brilliance by the maestro El Flaco! A lightening fast break down the left wing saw Carlos skip past opposition players as though they were training cones. He then burst into the box and unleashed a shot which the goalie managed to parry. Unfortunately for him the ball went straight back to Carlos who didn't waste his second chance blasting the ball into the net. A well deserved opening goal and lead for the convincing home side.
The Hulk was having a surprisingly quiet first half given who the opposition were but not quiet enough to break out the cocktails and Karaoke machine. He would be called into action in the second half. A very good half saw Madison confident of building on the lead in the second. But Guilford had other ideas and started the new half pressing the Madison defence. Some last ditch tackles and blocks prevented an equalizer but it was clear that Guilford were not going to hand over the three points meekly. A few more breaks by them saw a pattern appearing of balls pumped up in the air down the middle of the field and a foot race between the defence and their attack. Bruce was caught a few times late off his line ( I saw one of our midfielders calling him on his cell phone to warn him an attack was coming ) but he always got to the ball. As the half wore on more and more of the field opened up for both teams and Flaco and others were able to go on lengthy sprints up the field. Of course Guilford were trying the same tactic and at times nearly got the time and space to get a shot on target. The game moved into the last five minutes with Madison stoutly defending and hoping the whistle would go. But earlier relief would come their way when a ball down the Madison left found Fribeka clear near the half way line. The opposition hesitated, thinking he was offside, but no whistle came and Fribeka scurried all the way up the field into the box brilliantly rounding the goalkeeper and with his last ounce of energy he managed to dink/tap/flub/trickle a shot/cross/pass to Tano who had the simplest task of slotting the ball into the empty net. The Guilford team were crushed but the three points were in the bag. A great performance by everyone on the team and with only one game left in the season ( against league leaders Ridgefield ) the Celts still have a great chance of finishing outside the bottom two. After 7 straight defeats, the Celts have now won 4 out of their last 6 games, with three shutouts along the way, as they have improved their goal difference considerably!
MAN OF THE MATCH; Some great performances all over the field. Ruggero and Tom were superb in the first half and Fribeka showed his value with a stalwarts performance in the second. Alex and Robert put in a great shift as did any of the players that came in. The back four were immense throughout the game with Dan and Mike in particular looking impenetrable. But for his sheer non stop running, great goal and crazy skill through the game the MOM goes to El Flaco!
The SASL 2013 season has one matc remaining for most teams. Here is how it stands after this Sunday's matches (see http://saslsoccer.com/2013/standings.html).
ReplyDeleteOver-30 League First Division
The Championship is a very tight three-horse race. Only Polonez United (17 games, 38 pts), Club Napoli (17 games, 38 pts) or Danbury United (17 games, 37 pts) can win it. One will be champions. One will be runners-up. One will go home empty handed.
In the relegation battle 10th placed Bridgeport Blue Dragons are relegated. The other relegation place will go to either Shelton Mariners (17 games, 16 pts) or North Branford SC (16 games, 17 pts). North Branford's game in hand and extra point gives them the advantage.
Over-30 League Second Division West
It's settled. Henry C. Reid FC cannot be caught and they will be in the Second Division Championship play-off. They will be automatically promoted to the First Division, whatever the result (score).
Over-30 League Second Division East
It's settled. Milford Tuesday cannot be caught and they will be in the Second Division Championship play-off. They will be automatically promoted to the First Division, whatever the result (score).
In the play-off game, the team with the best record will be the home team.
Masters League First Division
It's settled. Greenwich Gunners are League Champions. The Runners-up spot will got to either Wilton Ancient Warriors FC, Norwalk Mariners or Vasco da Gama CC.
In the relegation battle, 10th placed Danbury United are relegated. The other relegation place will go to either Southeast Rovers (17 games, 15 pts) or Guilford Black Eagles (16 games, 17 pts). Note that the Black Eagles have a game in hand to give them the advantage.
Masters League Second Division
The Championship is still not decided! It is between 1st place Ridgefield Kicks (17 games, 43 pts) and 2nd place Greenwich Pumas (16 games, 38 pts). One will be Champions, one will be Runners-up, both will be promoted.
In the relegation battle, 10th placed Albanian Eagles are already relegated. 9th placed Fairfield GAC or 8th placed Madison Celtic FC will join them.
Masters League Third Division
The Championship is still not decided! It is between 1st place New Haven Americans (17 games, 42 pts) and 2nd place Stamford United (17 games, 41 pts). One will be Champions, one will be Runners-up, both will be promoted.
Over-48 League First Division West
1st placed Trumbull Amici (17 games, 34 pts) and 2nd placed Vasco da Gama CC (17 games, 33 pts) will be in the First Division Championship play-off, no-one else can catch them.
Over-48 League First Division East
Any one of the top four can still qualify for the First Division Championship play-off. It is between Polonia Falcon Stars FC (15 games, 38 pts), New Britain Falcons FC (16 games, 36 pts), Club Napoli (16 games, 36 pts) and Glastonbury Celtic FC (15 games, 32 pts). The Stars have games in hand, more points and a superior goal difference, so they have the advantage.
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For some teams the season is going right down to the wire, it is so very close, so close that Championships could be decided by the last kick in the last game of the season.
Good luck to all SASL teams in your next match(es)!
Nice report, Johnaldo. It acutally appears to be accurate this time!
ReplyDeleteI never thought I'd ever be rooting for Orange, but let's hope that they beat or at least tie Fairfield!
I hope Orange players are not reading our blog for intel :-)
ReplyDeleteThrowing the game would be low, but not unexpected from Orange. (And, yes, I hope they are reading this!)
ReplyDeleteFairfield have to beat Orange and we have to lose for them to avoid relegation.....not too hard to imagine but lets hope Orange are up for the fight on their last game of the season. They have had some patchy form recently
ReplyDeleteGuys, any interest in a training session next Sunday or even better, a scrimmage with MAD O30s, in prep for our big match?
ReplyDeleteKevin was asking the same thing
DeleteIRuggero you would need to confirm field availability early this week
ReplyDeleteI'll be away this Sunday.
ReplyDeletenew article posted
ReplyDelete