STARTING 11 VS Eli's FC

Guys lets have a tighter midfield for this game. We can start with a 4 5 1 formation and take it from there. Leo and Tano should interchange up front.  Have fun and let's hope it doesn't rain!

NEXT GAME; Sunday 4th October VS Eli's FC

Our next game is a home game vs Eli's FC with another 8am kick off. I know,  I know.....8am, it sucks etc etc. But it is what it is, so let's get out there and win some more points!! We can definitely do that against Eli's! If you haven't checked in yet with Ronnie to say if you are in or out please do so soon!

Connecticut State Cup Draw ( Over 40 Section)

The over 40 State cup draw was made this week and we have a tough section to qualify from!  We are in Group E which has Windsor Rovers, Cheshire Azzuri and Fairfield GAC!  The top two teams qualify for the next round, i think.

As you can see we are the bottom seed in our section so we should just get out there are enjoy ourselves. More details about game days and times to follow!

GROUP A

Greenwich Pumas

Castle FC

Polonez SC

Waterbury Albanians

GROUP B

Danbury United

Greenwich Gunners

Simsbury (SNEASL)

Berlin (SNEASL)

GROUP C

Greenwich Arsenal

Wilton A.C.

Negus United (SNEASL)

New Haven Americans

GROUP D

Hartford Cavaliers (SNEASL)

Norwalk Mariners

Burlington City (SNEASL)

Naugatuck River Rats

GROUP E

Windsor Rovers (SNEASL)

Cheshire United Azzuri

Fairfield GAC

Madison Celtic

GROUP F

Glastonbury Celtic (SNEASL)

Vasco da Gama

Norwalk Sport Colombia

Southeast Rovers

MATCH REPORT; North Haven 4 Madison 0

The Celts fell to a North Haven team who had  fitness,  speed and effective passing as a major advantage. Madison had held their own for most of the first half with a few chances and some great defending providing them a competitive edge. Unfortunately, a scramble in the  box after a superb save from Hulk allowed them to score and set the scene for the rest of the game.  Another defensive slip allowed a second before the half ended. A glorious chance to get a goal back fell to Johnaldo after a great run by Tano but both attempts were blocked. Two nil down at the half but a feeling that the Celts  could still get back in to the game. However, the second half proved too much for the Celts as their passing became increasingly erratic and the midfield became isolated from the rest of the team. Sterling work by Mike G and Roniildo could not stem the waves of attack coming at the exhausted defense and it was no surprise the home team slotted two more goals in to run out comfortable four nil winners.

MAN OF THE MATCH; Great saves from Hulk prevented the score being  a bigger one, as did the great defending from Tim and Jim O. Mike G was superb in midfield but the MOM goes to Roniildo for his constant running and attempts to link the defense with the attacking line

STARTING 11 VS NORTH HAVEN

Remember this is an 8 am kick off guys so get there early to warm up!!

We have TomP, ME, Mike G and Vincente on the subs bench if everyone turns up........

NEXT GAME; Sunday 27th Sept VS North Haven

	THIRD DIVISION	Pl	W	D	L	FW	FL	F	A	GD	SNR	PD	Pts
1	Waterbury Albanians	14	10	2	2	0	1	51	20	31	0	0	32
2	Albanian Eagles	14	9	4	1	0	0	31	13	18	0	0	31
3	North Haven SC	14	8	2	4	0	0	34	20	14	0	0	26
4	Eli's FC	14	7	3	4	0	0	29	17	12	0	0	24
5	Wilton Wolves	14	6	4	4	0	0	29	25	4	1	0	22
6	Stamford City	14	6	3	5	0	0	16	16	0	1	0	21
7	Madison Celtic FC	14	5	2	7	2	0	21	23	-2	0	0	17
8	North Branford SC	14	4	1	9	1	1	19	39	-20	0	0	13
9	Hamden United	14	3	1	10	0	1	17	44	-27	0	0	10
10	Wallingford Morelia	14	0	2	12	0	0	13	43	-30	1	0	2

We have an away game this Sunday against North Haven. The league have moved the game to an 8am kick off!!

I know these time changes are annoying but we have no control over them and they cannot be renegotiated ( thanks for all the helpful advice for us to do that ). We should have a good squad for Sunday and it will be a fun game!  Let's keep collecting the points!!

The directions to the field are below;

RIDGE ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:

1341 Ridge Road, North Haven, CT

I-91 North or South to Exit 10 (Route 40, Mount Carmel). This will put you on to Route 40, "the connector" (to Route 10). On the connector, take Exit 1 for Dixwell Avenue, Hamden. At the end of the exit at the traffic light turn left. Go to the next traffic light and turn left onto Hartford Turnpike. Proceed straight through the next traffic light, which will be at the intersection with Dixwell Avenue. Once through this intersection, continue straight on Hartford Turnpike for approximately 0.8 miles. Near the top of the hill there will be a blinking yellow light. At this light turn right into the back entrance to Ridge Road Elementary School. The field will be just ahead on the right and you can park anywhere along the driveway.

MATCH REPORT; Madison 3 Hamden 0 ( Forfeited game)

The Celts won this game twice, both times 3 -0! The first time was because the Hamden team had to forfeit the game before it started due to a lack of a printed roster  ( SASL rules !! ) The second was after both teams decided to go ahead with a game, even without referees, and the Celts ran out well deserved 3 0 winners. Two great goals by Tano and an unbelievable, fabulous goal by Johnaldo sealed the win!  This has given the Celts a very nice run of points over the last 4 games and puts them in a good position to challenge for a higher league position

NEXT GAME; Sunday September 20th vs Hamden

                                                          Starting 11 vs Hamden

The Celts have a chance to follow up the great 10 man win against North Branford with a home game against Hamden. Let's keep the good times rolling!  We have a strong team and Nino, Vincente, Johnaldo and Hulk on the bench. We will need everyone up for this game!

 This is an 8am kick off at Cox school fields

THIRD DIVISION	Pl	W	D	L	FW	FL	F	A	GD	SNR	PD	Pts
1	Albanian Eagles	13	9	3	1	0	0	31	13	18	0	0	30
2	Waterbury Albanians	13	9	2	2	0	1	48	19	29	0	0	29
3	North Haven SC	13	7	2	4	0	0	31	18	13	0	0	23
4	Wilton Wolves	13	6	4	3	0	0	28	22	6	1	0	22
5	Eli's FC	13	6	3	4	0	0	21	14	7	0	0	21
6	Stamford City	13	6	2	5	0	0	16	16	0	1	0	20
7	Madison Celtic FC	13	4	2	7	1	0	18	23	-5	0	0	14
8	North Branford SC	13	4	1	8	1	1	16	31	-15	0	0	13
9	Hamden United	13	3	1	9	0	0	17	41	-24	0	0	10
10	Wallingford Morelia	13	0	2	11	0	0	11	40	-29	1	0	2

MATCH REPORT; North Branford 0 Madison 2

A truly fantastic performance by the 10 man Bhoys in Green saw them run out deserved 2 0 winners in an action packed, incident laden match against local rivals North Branford.  The Celts were the visitors although from the opening 4 minutes you wouldn't have guessed it as the away time swept up the park with a series  of  incisive attack. In fact the home team lasted only 5 minutes before their defenses were breached when a powerful surge by Leo saw him stride into the penalty box to calmly stroke the ball past the hapless goalie.  The Celts were so dominant in the opening 10 minutes it was looking like it could be a great morning for the strikers to fill their boots. But that revere was rudely interrupted by the bizarre decision making of the referee when he handed the home team a penalty from a blatant  handball by one of their own players! This so incensed one of our normally quieter players "Bermuda Dan" that he decided to tell the referee exactly what he thought of him resulting in a straight red.  Some justice was restored when the penalty was blazed past the post by a country mile. Down to 10 men with 80 minutes left in the match could have seen the Celts crumble but  some amazing performances at the back most notably by Jim O, Kevin J and Dustin ensured that the opposition were kept at bay for the whole of the first half. In fact Leo could have added a couple more goals before the end of the half as the Celts fought back on the counter punch. The second half saw the Celtic midfield dominate possession with Fribeka and Ronnie showing some great skills in possession and tackling. Mike G  and Tano also has some powerful runs up front which really helped to tire out the North Branford defense. When the next goal came it was no surprise that it came from the Celts and the on form Leo. A great goal that crushed the morale of the opposition. Leo could have scored another couple with the chances he had and even though North Branford pressed for a  goal to get back into the game, great saves from Dustin and last gasp tackles by Kevin and Jim kept them out. A superb win by the 10 man Celts!

MAN OF THE MATCH; Wow, so many players to choose from in this game! A great game by Fribeka, superb goals by Leo, awesome saves by Dustin, strategic play by Jim and sprinkles of great performances throughout the team. But the man of the match goes to Kevin J for a truly awesome performance at left back!

Starting Line Up VS North Branford

We have a good squad for the game on Sunday so let's get some more points on the board!

Game is at 9AM!!!

NEXT GAME; Sunday 13th Sept VS North Branford

Guys, our next game is an away game to North Branford at Northford Park. Directions to the field are below.

THIS IS A 9AM KICK OFF!!!!

We got a 3-0 forfeit win from the last time we played Branford so I'm sure they will be itching to beat us this time. Let's show them we can win without getting a forfeit!!

NORTHFORD PARK:

near 1825 Middletown Avenue, Northford, CT 64472
I-91 North to Exit 14 onto Route 150 South to end and merge with Route 22. Take Route 22 East to intersection of
Route 17, left onto Route 17 North for 2.1 miles to Northford Park on right. Field behind tennis courts in back.
I-91 South to Exit 14 (Route 150). At the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto East Center Street, go past Vietnam Vets Park and take next right onto Northford Road, go 2.7 miles to end and turn left onto Route 17 North for .6 miles to Northford Park on right.
I-95 to Exit 55. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right (Route 1) and proceed east two traffic lights to the Texaco gas station and turn left onto Route 139. Go to its end, and then turn left onto Route 80. Go West on Route 80 towards New Haven 3 traffic lights and turn right onto Route 22 West. You will pass Totoket Valley Park on right about 1 mile on left, continue on to intersection of Route 22 / 17, stay right and take Route 17 North for 2.1 miles to Northford Park on right.