Merry Christmas to Madison Celtic Family and Friends!

Wishing you all  a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year !

See you in 2015!

Madison Celtic Party!

We had our 5th Annual Madison Celtic Christmas party last Friday and it was great fun! Thanks to all of you for turning up and making it such a great night.  It's always great to see everyone and their partners at this time of year. Congrats to TomA and Dan winning the traditional table football tournament. I think TomA used to be a professional fussball player because he has won this a few times now!

Our Players of the Year 2014!

Congratulations to Johnny B for winning the midfielder of the year award! No votes for anyone else, a clean sweep for the midfield maestro!

John joins Tim and Tano as our players of the year!

Midfielder of the Year Poll!

Congratulations to Tim for winning defender of the year! And now, finally,  the toughest poll of the year...best midfielder! So many good players to choose from!  You may see some duplicate players that spend half their time shuttling between defense and midfield.

We have Johnny B, Ronnie, Rob Bz, Fribeka, ( Jacques), Jim, Jodingo!!, TomA, Ruggero and David I

Go ahead and vote!

Hope to see you all at the Christmas party on Friday 19th. If you can just drop me a note if you are coming, or not, that would be great. For all of you that have replied already.....thank you!

Defender of the Year Poll!

It's time to vote for Defender of the year and we have some great players to choose from! Go ahead and vote on the poll machine!!

Players of the Year Polls! Forwards First!

Yes, it's that time of the year! Post turkey binging! You get a chance to cast a vote for who you thought was the best player in  a particular position during the season! I know it was a tough season but there was still some great performances throughout the year.  I'm going to start us off with Forward of the year!

You can vote on Tano, Leo, Kevin, Mike, David I or me!  What a tough choice!

The poll machine can be found at the top right of the Blog!

Go ahead and vote!

Happy Thanksgiving to Madison Celtic!

Hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends!

End of Season 2014; Final Standings

	SECOND DIVISION	Pl	W	D	L	FW	FL	F	A	GD	SNR	PD	Pts
1	Greenwich Arsenal	18	13	3	2	0	0	46	13	33	0	0	42
2	Danbury United	18	12	5	1	0	0	53	18	35	0	0	41
3	Norwalk Sport Colombia FC	18	10	4	4	0	1	42	25	17	0	0	34
4	Stamford United	18	8	7	3	1	0	42	24	18	1	0	31
5	Fairfield GAC	18	9	1	8	0	0	28	25	3	0	0	28
6	Guilford Bell Curve	18	8	4	6	0	0	24	29	-5	0	0	28
7	Cheshire Inter FC	18	5	4	9	0	0	34	45	-11	0	0	19
8	Orange SC	18	5	1	12	0	0	22	49	-27	0	0	16
9	New Haven Americans	18	2	4	12	0	0	24	41	-17	0	0	10
10	Madison Celtic FC	18	1	1	16	0	0	11	57	-46	0	0	4

Sorry guys I had to post the last league standings for season 2014. It can only get better!

MATCH REPORT; Guilford 3 Madison 2

The time for hanging up the soccer cleats for another season has finally arrived for Madison Celtic and last Sunday they ended a less than successful 2014 season with yet another defeat.  ( The photo above is from Rubens' personal closet of soccer boots ;o). Although this was another defeat, Celtic played well throughout the game and should have won. A couple of defensive errors allowed Guilford to take advantage at critical points in the game. The Celts were 1 nil down after 3 mins when the first attack of the game gave them the lead and, give or take a lot of attacking and defending, that's how the half ended. The Celts were always competitive in the first 45 minutes and that continued in the second half but yet another error put them 2 nil down and potentially out of the points. But a  fabulous breakaway goal from Leo brought them back into the game and looking the more likely to maybe even win it. That dream was shattered by a third Guilford goal and even though Johnny B scored a great second goal it was to prove too little too late for the Celts. In the end, the game delivered no points, a couple of broken ribs for Hulk and a broken leg for Dustin! Quite an end to the season!  Here's hoping Dustin and Hulk mend quickly and the rest of the team get a chance to re-group indoor before the Christmas party!

Man of the Match; A number of strong performances in defense with Tim and Dan in particular. Johnny B was also excellent in  midfield. But the MOM goes to Leo for hanging in there and scoring a fantastic goal!

I'll be sending out the players of the year polls soon and dates for possible indoor training games.

We also have the Christmas Soccer party to look forward to which will be at my house on Friday Dec 19th.......keep the night free!  More details to come!

NEXT GAME; Sunday 2nd Nov Vs Guilford

Our last game of the season is this Sunday away to Guilford. No one can argue that this has been anything other than a tough season for the Celts. But, I have started to see some real signs of improvement and if we can "keep" fit over the Winter and start some evening practices we should be ready for a great new season!  Let's go out tomorrow and have some fun in our last game!

Don't forget the clock goes back over night!  Kick off is at 10am at Calvin Leete School

See you all there!

MATCH REPORT; Madison 0 Guilford 1

The Celts fell to a narrow 1 nil defeat in their last home game of the season. Although this was another defeat it was a much improved performance by the Celts who dominated large swathes of the game. Unlucky finishing proved to be the biggest issue for the Celts as the various chances that came their way were blazed over the bar or just past the post. If it wasn't for an unfortunate slip at the beginning of the game, when the Celts lost a goal after only four minutes, they would have been well worth a point if not all three. Great play from the defence which included a string of great saves from Hulk, including a penalty, kept the Celts in the game all through the 90 minutes. Strong midfield play by Johnny B and Jim were notable although the whole team looked more like a team overall. It's ironic that this is happening as we get down to the last game of the season...but there is always next year! Before that a final league game is on the cards with a chance for a quick bit of revenge against Guilford this Sunday

Man of the Match;  Great play from most of the team but the stand out player with great saves and a penalty stop was Hulk!

NEXT GAME; Sunday Oct 26th vs Guilford

Our next to last game is a home game against Guilford. This will be an 8am kick off game at the Daniel Hand High School in Madison.

Directions below.

DANIEL HAND HIGH SCHOOL and WALTER C. POLSON MIDDLE SCHOOL:

(Nike® Artificial Turf field approved for SASL games)

The two schools are next door to each other and share some of the same facilities. The artificial turf field is located between the two schools.

I-95 South, Exit 61 (Route 79). At the end of the ramp turn right (north) onto Durham Road (Route 79). Continue on Route 79 North to the traffic light and turn left onto Green Hill Road. Both schools are on the left hand side. Polson is the first driveway; Daniel Hand is the second driveway. It does not matter which driveway you take, you will still come to the field behind the parking lots shared by both schools.

I-95 North, Exit 61 (Route 79). At the end of the ramp turn left (north) onto Durham Road (Route 79). Continue on Route 79 North to the traffic light and turn left onto Green Hill Road. Both schools are on the left hand side. Polson is the first driveway; Daniel Hand is the second driveway. It does not matter which driveway you take, you will still come to the field behind the parking lots shared by both schools.

From the North: I-91 South to Route 9 South, take Route 17 Exit in Middletown. At the end of the connector road, turn left at the traffic light and take Route 17 South to Durham. Go through Durham, past the town green on the right and then take Route 79 South to Madison (veer/fork to the left at the traffic light at the south end of town). Travel around the North Madison traffic circle and stay on Route 79 South. Continue on to a traffic light at Green Hill Road (four-way intersection). Turn right onto Green Hill Road. Both schools are on the left hand side. Polson is the first driveway; Daniel Hand is the second driveway. It does not matter which driveway you take, you will still come to the field behind the parking lots shared by both schools.

PLEASE NOTE: Per the Town of Madison: Dogs are not allowed on any town Athletic Field, not even on the sidelines.

Who is in?

Match Report; Orange 4 Madison 0

Another defeat for the Madison bhoys. I wasn't at the game so can't supply a match report but it was a zero pointer. Here is what my dog thinks of the result

NEXT GAME; Sunday October 19th VS Orange

Our next game is an away match against Orange. This is a 10 am kick off at Fred Wolfe Park in Orange  Directions below;

Who is in, who is out?

FRED WOLFE PARK:

300 Hollow Road, Orange, CT 64477

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!

No Game This Weekend!

Guys, no game this weekend. Relax and get ready for next weekend!

MATCH REPORT; Danbury 7 Madison 0

An 11 man squad turned up for this away game and were in trouble right away as Leo had to limp off after less than ten minutes. Playing a man down the Celts tried their best against a fast competent Danbury team. Three goals were lost in the first half,  but it could have been many many more if it wasn't for the superb goalkeeping instincts of Dustin and some great last ditch defending by Tim. Even with a saved penalty and numerous saves and blocks Dustin could not stop the tide from coming in and another four goals were shipped in the second half by which point the team had two players with pulled hamstrings and the rest pretty much out on their feet.  It was a big defeat in goal terms but the team kept fighting and held the Danbury outfit for the last twenty minutes of the game

Man of the Match; Johnny B played great in midfield but the stand out performances came from Tim and Dustin. Sounds odd to award twin mom's to defenders that lost 7 goals but without them it could have been a lot lot worse!  Tough games are over now. Next 3 should be real easy! ;o)

NEXT GAME; Sunday October 5th, vs Danbury

Next game is an 11am Kick OFF vs Danbury at the Portuguese Cultural Center; Directions below  

Who is in, who is out, who is car pooling?

DANBURY PORTUGUESE CULTURAL CENTER:

I-84 West to Exit 6. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right and at next traffic light turn right onto Hayestown Avenue. At end of road, turn right onto Tamarack Avenue and go straight through first traffic light and bear left at next traffic light onto Locust Avenue (Danbury Hospital on left). Make left at next traffic light onto Osborne Street and go about 1 mile to the first traffic light and turn right onto Sand Pit Road. You will immediately pass condos on right, just as you pass the condos, take the driveway for the Medical Center Buildings on right. The Portuguese Center and field will be in back on the left.

MATCH REPORT; Stamford 4 Madison 0

The Celts turned up for this game with a bare minimum squad but with a real determination to have a good go at competing with a very good Stamford team. For most of the first half that's how the game played out. Some great defending and goalkeeping kept Stamford at bay apart from one glitch when they scored a superb headed goal from a corner kick. But only one down at the half was a great outcome considering how much of the ball Stamford had. The second half was much tougher for the Celts as the lack of subs and sapping heat finally wore them down. Another three goals from the home team emphasized their superiority and placed the Celts firmly at the bottom of the league.

Man Of The Match; Some brave defending and attacking from Mike earned him the MOM and a black eye to match

NEXT GAME; Sunday 28th September vs Stamford

SECOND DIVISION Pl W D L FW FL F A GD SNR PD Pts 1 Greenwich Arsenal 13 9 2 2 0 0 29 11 18 0 0 29 2 Danbury United 12 8 3 1 0 0 35 11 24 0 0 27 3 Norwalk Sport Colombia FC 13 8 2 3 0 1 34 19 15 0 0 26 4 Stamford United 13 6 5 2 1 0 25 14 11 0 0 23 5 Fairfield GAC 12 6 0 6 0 0 22 19 3 0 0 18 6 Guilford Bell Curve 13 5 3 5 0 0 15 22 -7 0 0 18 7 Cheshire Inter FC 13 4 3 6 0 0 28 32 -4 0 0 15 8 Orange SC 13 4 1 8 0 0 15 32 -17 0 0 13 9 New Haven Americans 13 2 2 9 0 0 15 29 -14 0 0 8 10 Madison Celtic FC 13 1 1 11 0 0 9 38 -29 0 0 4

The Celts have a tough away away game vs Stamford United. This is a 10 am kick off at West Beach Stamford. Field directions below;

WEST BEACH PARK:

800 Shippan Avenue, Stamford, CT 64902

(Nike® Artificial Turf field approved for SASL games)

I-95 South to Exit 8 (Elm Street). At the end of the exit ramp turn left onto Elm Street. At the third traffic light (0.3 miles) bear right onto Shippan Avenue. Proceed to the second traffic light (0.4 miles) and turn left (you are still on Shippan Avenue). The first road on the left is the entrance to West Beach Park. The soccer field is located next to the parking lot on the right side.

MATCH REPORT; Madison 1 New Haven 2

Although the Celts lost another game against the New Haven Americans this was a much better performance overall. The Celts started really well with new signing Mike playing well upfront and lots of good movement from the midfield. After 25 minutes the Celts had dominated the game, had  a few chances to take the lead and handed defended well. But, without that go ahead goal the Celts were always going to be prone to the counter attack. And with only ten minutes left in the half a concerted attack by New Haven resulted in a shot being taken from outside the box that took a significant deflection on the way. It  was enough to wrong foot Dustin and the visitors had the lead. The second half saw New Haven have more of the ball but the Celts were still in the game and a strong persistent run by Tano resulted in him notching up the equalizer. The Celts had chances to take the lead but in the end a well worked free kick and powerful shot by New Haven Americans won the game for them.

Man of the Match;  Some good performances by the defense that blunted the New Haven attack for most of the game. The midfield also moved the ball around well and Tano had a well taken goal. But man of the match goes to debut bhoy Mike!

NEXT GAME; Sunday 21st September Vs New Haven

Time for some revenge?  We have a quick opportunity to get some  pride back with a home game vs New Haven Americans   Although it's a home game our normal Madison fields are unavailable but Dan has got us Cox School ( upper Field ) for our game. It's a 10am kick off!

See you all there!

COX SCHOOL (A. W. Cox Elementary School) – North Field and South Field:

143 Three Mile Course, Guilford, CT 64437

I-95 North to Exit 57 (Route 1 / Boston Post Road). Turn right at the end of the exit ramp onto Route 1. Go 0.6 miles, just past Bishops Orchards on your left, then turn right onto Dunk Rock Road and after 0.1 miles take the first left onto Farmview Lane. Cox School is just ahead on the right. Park in the parking lot. The two fields, North and South, are in the far back of the school – not the field immediately behind the school, but behind the hedgerow.

I-95 South to Exit 57 (Route 1 / Boston Post Road). Turn left at the end of the exit ramp onto Route 1. Go 0.9 miles, just past Bishops Orchards on your left, then turn right onto Dunk Rock Road and after 0.1 miles take the first left onto Farmview Lane. Cox School is just ahead on the right. Park in the parking lot. The two fields, North and South, are in the far back of the school – not the field immediately behind the school, but behind the hedgerow.

MATCH REPORT; New Haven 4 Madison1

Madison sunk to their worst defeat of a tough season losing 4-1 to New Haven Americans in a bottom of the table clash. The Celts started the game well taking the lead from a nicely worked goal slotted in by Roniildo. After twenty minutes it looked like the Celts could score a few more but unfortunately they lost a simple goal and their game declined from there. The second half was like watching a slow bus crash, wincing at every bump and slip but unable to take your eyes off the wreckage. The New Haven team that had barely scored  a goal all season, let alone win one, could not believe their luck as they were allowed to move the ball around the field as though they had all become Messi's on a Summer vacation. Relaxed and unhurried, the home team slammed three goals past the hapless Celts to run out easy 4-1 victors. I guess the Celts had plenty of chances in the first half to really take a grip of the game but they didn't and when the gas tank emptied early in the second half it was all a bit too easy for New Haven.   Unfortunately the Celts can't run away and lick their wounds because their next game is on Sunday against.......New Haven Americans.

NEXT GAME; Sunday 14th September vs New Haven

We have an away game versus New Haven Americans on Sunday. It is a 10 am kick off at Peck Place School in Orange.

I have heard from most of you but not everyone has checked in to say if they are in or out. This is a bottom of the table clash and we must win this one!

PECK PLACE SCHOOL:

Route 15 South (Wilbur Cross / Merritt Parkway) to Exit 56 onto Route 121 South, turn left at next traffic light (across from Merritt exit) onto Old Grassy Hill Road. Go to second stop sign and then turn right onto Orange Center Road. Go about 3⁄4 mile and turn right onto Pine Tree Drive. Go 1⁄2 mile and turn left onto Peck Lane, school on right, field in rear.

Route 15 North (Wilbur Cross / Merritt Parkway) to Exit 56, go straight across exit traffic light onto Old Grassy Hill Road. Follow above directions.

MATCH REPORT; Madison 0 Danbury 3

Another tough defeat for the Celts as they slumped to a 3 0 loss after holding a good Danbury team to one goal for most of the game. The first half was dominated by Danbury as they moved the ball around with speed and accuracy. The Celts found it difficult to get hold of the ball and keep it on the rare moments when they got possession. If it wasn't for some great defending and goalkeeping, along with some poor finishing by the visitors, the score at half time could have been a lot more than 1 0. The Celts were much much better in the second half with some good possession and better passing. Unfortunately the inability to get the ball into the opposition net left the team prone to another goal from the fast Danbury team. And with only 15 minutes left on the clock some defensive "moves" by Johnaldo allowed the visitors to slot in two more goals to emphasize their dominance.

Man of the Match; some good performances, especially in the second half from Hulk, Jodingo!!, Johnny I, Tim and Mike as they kept the Danbury team at bay. As well as some strong midfield play by Roniildo and Ruggero   But it was great seeing Mike back in the team and his performance earned him the MOM!