Another great match report from Ravi!
The second half of the season began on a muggy morning on our home field, where we had the chance to exact a bit of revenge on North Haven SC, the only side to defeat us in the first half. We began with good energy and the game featured the season debut of James who returned to the very pitch on which he had broken some ribs last season. His first game back could not have gone better as within the first 15 minutes of the game, he scored after a bit of brilliant build up play that led to a looping cross from the right flank by Dmitriy that James managed to take off the volley and deposit past the sprawling keeper into the net.
The rest of the half was fairly tight with no clear advantage in either decision. Dustin made a few good saves and Tano turned back the clock with a bicycle kick but it pedaled right towards the keeper's open arms. However with just minutes remaining, Eduardo cleared a dangerous ball from the box with a moon-shot, a ball that rose high into the air before falling where only David Slade could really get it. However just as he went up to meet the ball, the North Haven sweeper drove a vicious shoulder into Slade, pile-driving him into the ground. The trash-talking mooncalf sweeper received a yellow card and thankfully cooler heads prevailed before the game turned any uglier.
The foul seemed to energize Celtic though, as in the second half, the build up play was much better as was the possession and defending. Everyone from the strikers on came back to help out on defense, harrying the other side into miskicks. Dan was solid in the back and played a few good crosses into the box that unfortunately were not met by anyone. But with about 30 minutes remaining, Johnny B took the ball on the left flank and after a few dribbles noticed the opposing goalkeeper around the 6-yard line. He took the opportunity to drill a beautifully flighted ball over the keeper's and dropped it into the upper right corner.
The skill it took to finish that shot demoralized the opponent completely because after that it was open season. Leo got in on the act by bundling a pass in the box past a few defenders and smoking the onion bag with a thundering shot. The scoreline could have been much worse if Tano and Ravi had not made a few offside runs that would have resulted in even more goals. When Ravi finished off one of these by chipping the keeper, he received a yellow card for time wasting. But none of that could steal the luster off a fine performance by all of the starters and subs, and a true team victory.
Madison Celtic 3 - North Haven SC 0
Man of the Match: great team-play throughout but this week's award has to go to Johnny B for the sublime artistry of his finish. Couple that with a few other good chances, like a highlight reel diving header, and some strong play in the midfield and he's this week's recipient.
post script from JGH; Additional comments from others on the game point to the great role Dmitryi had on the game with great defensive and attacking midfield play.
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