MATCH REPORT; North Branford 1 Madison Celtic 0

A strangely out of sorts Madison team succumbed to only their third defeat of the season against a North Branford team that stoutly defended for most of the ninety minutes. The Madison squad was a strong one but they got off to a hesitant start and never really found their mojo at any time throughout the game. The first half was an untidy affair not helped by the heavy, rain soaked field and the errant passing that was plaguing the visitors. They did have their chances but each time there was an opportunity on goal the final shot was either too weak to trouble the goalkeeper, or too high and wide. The second half was marginally better as Madison finally got their passing on to a higher level. Most of the chances were going Celtic's way and if you were a betting person you would say they were the most likely to score but, that's not what happened. A scramble in the Celtic penalty box and a ball that wasn't really cleared allowed the Branford team to take a swipe and the spherical object bounced along the uneven, muddy grass right in to the net. It was against the run of play but it also wasn't too surprising as the Celts had been leaving a glaring space between midfield and the back four. Madison had plenty of chances to equalize in the last twenty minutes and well into the generous injury time added by the ref but to no avail. The game ended in a sad defeat and the strangely cartoon version of the Celts that had turned up trudged off the field to map out a better outcome to their last three games of the season.

Man Of The Match;  Even with some of the listless play there were some good performances from Alex in goal and the defensive line. But for non stop running and effort, even though there was no pay off this week, the MOM goes to James.

STARTING 11 For Sunday! (EDITED)

We still have a few players to check in but here is a starting 11. I'll make sure we sub well.

SUBS;

Forwards;   John H, Rob
Middies;     Todd, Tom A, EDUARDO
Defenders;  Tom P, JOHNNY I,

NEXT GAME; Sunday October 2nd vs North Branford

Our next game is an away game against North Branford at the High School. Directions are below.
This is a 9am kick off!! Please get there around 8.30am.

We only have 4 games left in the season and by my calculations three wins might be enough to ensure promotion. Let's grab the points in this one!

And congratulations to Glasgow Celtic and Man City for providing an epic Champions league game last night. No bookings, no play acting just all out attacking football from both teams, that's the way the sport should be played. And of course you have to mention the fabulous Celtic support who sang throughout the whole game and created, once again, the best atmosphere at a football/soccer stadium you can find anywhere in the world!

NORTH BRANFORD HIGH SCHOOL (also TOTOKET VALLEY PARK):
49 Caputo Road, North Branford, CT 06471
I-91 North to Exit 14 onto Route 150 South to its end and merge with Route 22. Take Route 22 East to the intersection of Route 17 / 22, stay left on Route 17 / 22 and bear left at the fork onto Route 22 East. Go about 3 miles to the Public Works driveway (Blue Sign) on the right which is entrance to TOTOKET VALLEY PARK.
For NORTH BRANFORD HIGH SCHOOL, go past TOTOKET VALLEY PARK on Route 22 East for 1⁄2 mile and turn right onto Mill Road (if you reach Route 80, you have gone too far). Turn left onto Caputo Road and then the first left into the parking lot adjacent to the HIGH SCHOOL and field.
I-91 South to Exit 14 (Route 150). At the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto East Center Street, go past Vietnam Veterans Park and take the next right onto Northford Road for 2.7 miles to end, take Route 17 South, and then take Route 22 East. Follow above directions from Route 22 East.
I-95 North to Exit 54. At the end of the exit ramp turn left (North) onto Bushy Plain Road. Proceed approximately 3 miles until you come to a traffic light. Turn right onto Route 80. Proceed approximately 2 miles through one traffic light to the second traffic light and turn left onto Route 22 North. TOTOKET VALLEY PARK is approximately 1 mile on the left and is the first immediate driveway (the Public Works shares the same driveway) after the North Branford Police Department. The field is at the bottom of hill next to the Police Department.
I-95 South to Exit 54. At end of exit ramp turn right (North) onto Bushy Plain Road. Proceed approximately 3 miles until you come to a traffic light. Turn right onto Route 80. Proceed approximately 2 miles through one traffic light to the second traffic light and turn left onto Route 22 North. TOTOKET VALLEY PARK is approximately 1 mile on the left and is the first immediate driveway (the Public Works shares the same driveway) after the North Branford Police Department. The field is at the bottom of hill next to the Police Department. 

Weekends Results and League Standings (#14)

Third Division
Wilton Wolves	1	Wallingford Morelia Score Not Reported	2
Eli's FC	0	Newington Portuguese	5
North Haven SC	0	Cheshire United	0
Madison Celtic FC	3	Hamden United	0
North Branford SC	0	Stamford City	3 THIRD DIVISION Pl W D L FW FL F A GD SNR PD Pts 1 Newington Portuguese 14 13 1 0 0 0 44 8 36 0 0 40 2 Madison Celtic FC 14 9 3 2 0 0 29 12 17 0 0 30 3 Stamford City 14 7 6 1 0 0 19 10 9 0 0 27 4 Wallingford Morelia 14 7 0 7 0 0 33 28 5 1 0 21 5 North Haven SC 14 6 3 5 0 0 24 31 -7 0 0 21 6 North Branford SC 14 6 2 6 0 0 27 24 3 0 0 20 7 Eli's FC 14 3 4 7 0 0 21 33 -12 0 0 13 8 Cheshire United 14 2 6 6 0 0 21 32 -11 1 0 12 9 Wilton Wolves 14 2 3 9 0 0 20 29 -9 1 0 9 10 Hamden United 14 0 2 12 0 0 15 46 -31 0 0 2