Notes from Ronnie at the Stamford Match:
Was nice to see that most of the guys showed up in plenty of time for
warm-up
Guys liked the early week line-up approach, as it alleviated confusion
about who was playing where
just before KO!
We actually had a huddle just before KO, and all the guys got their
hands in the middle as one to a cry of
Let's go Celtic!!
We started the game really well, and made at least 5 or 6 good scoring
opportunities early on,
and it was against the run of play that Stamford opened the scoring.
It was a big punt from their D that went over the top of our Defense.
The ball fell perfectly for their CF to nod the ball over the oncoming
hulk into the empty net.
Although we did create a bunch of good scoring chances, we also
gave the ball away far too much.
Despite talking about build up from the back-i.e., D to midfielders,
who would then attack and try to find Tano and Kevin upfront,
Mike and Tim (who played great from a clearance perspective!)
would mostly by pass midfield and play the long ball which led to
many losses of possession
Johnny-B did not touch the ball for 10 mins at a time because of this
particular issue.
Dan Miller played out from the back superbly well.
Fortunately, Stamford were no great shakes themselves, so we saw
the first half out only one down to the freakish early goal.
We came out pressing hard for the equalizer in the second half with the
wind now at our backs.
Similar story to first half, with a mix of decent scoring opportunities but
with too many turn
overs for no reason other than poor passing skills.
After a good build up, John-B was bundled over just outside their box
for a free kick. Kudos to Tano, who told JB to hit it before Stamford
were ready, and sure enough,
the ball sailed into the net for what should have been a great goal.
Unfortunately the ref screwed us, said the ball was not in the correct spot
for the free-kick so he
disallowed the goal and ordered a redo, which JB struck well only to be saved.
The irony was that JB placed the ball in the same exact spot as the first time!!
We continued to battle away in the 2nd half, but just didn’t get a lucky break.
Team camaraderie was superb, with the game being played mostly quietly
apart from one incident.
Shortly after this incident Stamford broke out after another Celtic turn over.
Luckily they delayed and delayed their final through ball to the open striker
until he was
5-10 yards offside, but unbelievably the linesman didn’t call the offside!
They tapped past hulk for a 2-0 lead.
In the last 2 mins, we pressed hard and one 2 corners in a row, both taken
superbly by Tano.
Big Mike got his head on the second one to make it 2-1, but we only had
1 minute left!,
But we ran out of time.
MOM candidates or strong performances in particular were Dan Miller,
Tano and Kevin
(for his relentless running)!
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