MATCH REPORT; Norwalk SC 0 Madison 1

A bumper turn out of 18 squad members made it an ideal day for a team photograph and a superb win! The Celts turned out in force and showed the strength they have in their squad to full effect with a superb away victory. Norwalk SC have been one of those teams that have always frustrated Madison. There have been close games but the Celts have never claimed all 3 points before. At the start of this game the coach had the enviable task of picking the strongest starting 11 he could from a great selection of players. Having Carlos and La Boca back in the fold made up for the loss of Johnny B and Rob Bz from the line up. Up front the ever strengthening line up was bolstered by the latest new recruit Leo. The Celts started the game in a dominant fashion with great running from the midfielders and attackers and some solid defending by the back line of Edmilson, Dan, Tim and Flaco. The first forays up front were promising and it looked like the Celtic midfield was clearly going to hold its own with Alex and Ronnie winning every battle. La Boca was called into quick action in defence when Edmilson was the victim of a crude tackle but any worries that the long lost La Boca had lost any of his skill or pace were immediately dispelled as he fitted in superbly to a defensive back line that was fluid, robust and taking no prisoners. The game really kicked off after around 20 minutes when a long ball from La Boca found Johnaldo free on the right wing. He chased the ball down and ended up in a couple of tussles with the two Norwalk defenders but his annoying persistence forced one of them into making a crazy penalty box pass that was picked up by the marauding Leo who instinctively fired the ball at the goalkeeper who then parried it right into the path of Alex who slammed a glorious shot past the goalkeeper. At this point in the game the Celts were well worth their goal lead and started to turn the screw on the home team with chance after chance coming their way. However the Colombians held out for the half with only the one goal to catch up. The second half saw the home team come at the Celts with more vigor an intent. As the half wore on it became more and more a battle of them against the Madison defence. A couple of amazing saves by the Hulk kept the Celts in the game and Edmilson, Dan and Tim were making sure that as few of those chances got through to Hulk as possible. Alex was running himself into the ground and as he tired the home team pressed ever harder. With only a few minutes left on the clock it looked like their pressure was going to pay off after a great shot and save allowed the ball to spill to an onrushing Norwalk attacker who slotted it past the prostate Hulk. The expression on the Celtic goalies face was something to behold when he saw the offside flag thrust up in the air! A reprieve that gave the Celts only three minutes to hang on a for a famous win and, with the clock well past the 45 minute mark, and deep into injury time, a final attack by the home team nearly saw the win snatched away. A scramble in the Madison box saw the ball fall to a Norwalk player who blasted a shot at the goal. The Hulk was rooted to the spot as the ball arced high over his head and as the whole Celtic team held their collective breath the ball slammed against the cross bar! The ball was cleared, the ref blew the whistle and all three much needed points were in the bag. The fight against relegation is well and truly on! The next game is the big one against Fairfield who sit one point above the Celts!

MAN OF THE MATCH; This was a difficult one as so many players played out of their skins. The defense was immense with Tim and Dan getting to every ball. Hulk saved superbly when he was called into action and the midfielders were all great. New boy Leo had a superb first game but my man of the match goes to the human dynamo, Flaco who ran and ran and ran. It was great seeing him back in the team and his non stop  performance earns him the MOM

NEXT GAME; Sunday 15th September Away to Norwalk SC

Our next game is an away match versus Norwalk Sports Colombia with a 10am kick off at Broad River Soccer field in Norwalk. We have only a few games left in the season and every game is vital for us to gain the points needed to avoid relegation. We have had a few close games with Norwalk but have not got the better of them as of yet. Le's get all three points this weekend!

Need more for the roll call guys!

BROAD RIVER SOCCER FIELD:

I-95 to Exit 15. Continue on the Expressway and get off at Exit 2 (New Canaan Avenue). At the end of the exit ramp, at the traffic light, turn right. Go to the second traffic light (a Wendy’s restaurant is facing you) and turn right onto New Canaan Avenue (Route 123). Go to the next traffic light and turn right onto Silvermine Avenue. Take the next left onto Harris Street. Take the next left into the Broad River soccer field parking lot. Walk through the tennis courts to the field entrance.

Route 15 (Wilbur Cross / Merritt Parkway) Northbound to Exit 38 (Route 123/New Canaan Avenue). At the end of the exit ramp turn left onto Route 123 (New Canaan Ave). Go 1.5 miles and turn left onto Bartlett Avenue and then your first right onto Harris Street. Go 100 yards and Broad River Soccer Field parking lot is on your right. Walk through the tennis courts to the entrance to the field.

Route 15 (Wilbur Cross / Merritt Parkway) Southbound to Exit 38 (Route 123/New Canaan Avenue). At the end of the exit ramp turn right onto Route 123 (New Canaan Ave). Go 1.5 miles and turn left onto Bartlett Avenue and then your first right onto Harris Street. Go 100 yards and Broad River Soccer Field parking lot is on your right. Walk through the tennis courts to the entrance to the field.

MATCH REPORT; Madison 1 Orange 2

The Celts are clearly a team that are getting stronger and stronger as the season progresses and although this goes down as another defeat, the home team were never outgunned and in fact should have won. An impressive start to the game by Madison was maintained for almost all of the game and stand out performances by Johnny B, Alex and Hulk meant that Orange had to work hard for everything they got. The first half presented a number of great chances for both sides with the post keeping the Celts out at one end and the Hulk keeping the opposition out at the other. Marauding runs by Alex and other midfielders like Roniildo really kept the visitors on their toes.  Ruggerho also had some great runs down the right side of the field with some attempts on goal. The pressure from the Celts paid off in spectacular style when one of the attacks from the Celts saw Ruggerho tripped just outside the box. Johnny B stepped up and sent a glorious shot into the net with the opposition goalkeeper rooted to the spot.  A well deserved lead for the Celts at the end of the first half.

The second half was very similar to the first with two unfortunate exceptions. The first, just a few minutes after kick off when a simple ball down the middle of the Celtic midfield resulted in a defensive slip allowing the nippy Orange forward into the box. Even though the Hulk did everything to close down the angle the attacker managed to squeeze the ball in for the equalizer. The second was deep into the second half when another defensive slip allowed Orange to get the ball into the net. In between those goals the Celts had numerous chances to score, hitting the bar, shooting just wide, and forcing their goalie into action. With some better passes in the final third the Celts could have had even more chances. Unfortunately, none of the opportunities fell the right way and the game ended with a tough 2-1 defeat. The season is fast getting near to the end and the Celts really need to pick up some points to avoid relegation.

Man Of The Match; Great performances by TomA, Alex and Hulk but the MOM goes to Johnny B for his great goal and numerous attempts on goal.

Many thanks to Annie for the great action photos!

NEXT GAME; Sunday September 8th VS Orange!

Madison Celtic are back in action this weekend with a HOME game against Orange.

This will be a 10AM KICK OFF at TOWN CAMPUS in Madison.

Orange will be hurting after their defeat to Madison earlier in the season and will be out for revenge. But the Celts are coming off a morale boosting win against the Eagles. Who will come out on top?

We will!   Who is on for the game, and just as importantly who is out?

Any beer and snack volunteers?