Spring season 2009

Wellesley 3 - 5 MPS Newton

First division Wellesley invited us to their spiffy new turf field at the Sprague School for a pre-season workout. We had a good turnout, including two close-season signings, Karsten and Bardot. Whatever happened to the official unveiling?

We were working with a new W formation in midfield, and Wellesley wather wapidly... rather quickly took advantage of some early misunderstandings between midfield and defence and opened the scoring, Samuel having no chance in a one-on-one against a sprinting Wellesley forward.

After the couple of early errors we settled into the new formation and started testing the Wellesley defence. Bardot and Joe both forced saves from the 'keeper, and Steve Shea tried some of his signature shots from outside the area. Our first goal came from a set-piece: Joe moved well to connect with Steve's corner from the right, the 'keeper parried and Karsten knocked in the rebound from close range.

Wellesley were looking shaky on the set-pieces as Pap crossed in a free kick from the left and Christer took a touch in the 6-yard box before driving the ball past the 'keeper. The third goal was a sweeping move originating deep inside our half. Ivan played the ball to Karsten on the right, and he carried the ball before releasing Andy. After passing the obligatory couple of players, Andy pulled back from the bye-line and Karsten shot, then scored from the rebound. I see a pattern developing here.

We started the second half much as we'd finished the first, making lots of scoring chances. Mike Altchek joined the fray with a great overlapping run on the right, and his cross was met by Andy who powered his shot under the crossbar to make it 1-4.

Wellesley came into the game a little more as the half progressed and pulled a goal back when John unluckily deflected a cross past Bardot, who had switched from attack to goalkeeping at half time. However, we rallied and recovered the three goal margin when Christer played a great through ball to Tim Todreas, who had timed his run perfectly and slotted the ball calmly into the lower left corner of the goal.

Wellesley scored a late consolation goal that revealed one of the dangers of the 3-5-2 formation. The ball was worked up the left (our left, that is) and Bardot made a good save from a powerful shot. The advancing midfielder on the right had got ahead of Ivan, however, and had an unpressured header from the rebound.

Overall, an excellent start to the season: good passing, lots of movement and even half-decent shooting.