Our game in Lowell had almost everything: goals galore, a pair of penalty kicks, lots of yellow flashes from the referee and, above all, an outstanding display of teamwork. For the first time this season we found ourselves a goal down, but fought back to open a two-goal lead, weather a storm in the middle of the second half following a couple of refereeing curiosities, and finally run out 4-2 winners.
Remind me never to complain about the Nahanton field again - in comparison to the Lowell field it looks pristine. Apart from the large grassless triangle in each goalmouth - something I thought had disappeared with my youth - there was a significant barren patch in the centre and even the wings were worn through.
We wore black armbands and observed a minute's silence before kick-off as a mark of respect for Wayland Wahoo 'keeper Steve Camiel.
The field was short - so short that Bardot, receiving the ball from the kick-off, had a shot from the half-way line, but it was charged down. A lively opening from both teams followed, but Lowell drew blood first: Mike's scuffed clearance only found its way to the Lowell number 10 who hit a low shot into the left side of Samuel's net from the edge of the box. There followed a spell where Lowell were on the ascendant and could easily have doubled their lead but for an some outstanding defending. First Samuel managed to get his fingertips to a stinging shot that was heading for the top corner, then Tim Rosa made a marvelous last-ditch challenge to block a shot from 12 yards.
We came into the game more towards the end of the half, and started causing the Lowell defence some problems, particularly from set-pieces. Andy took a series of corners, including one that was met with a powerful header by Christer (or was it Bardot?), only to be headed off the line. Then Andy played in a low corner from the right that Christer met 15 yards out with an unstoppable pile-driver half-volley that levelled the scores.
Andy and Samuel had some inspiring words at the break and we came out roaring in the second half. There was more urgency in our play and we were harrying and chasing every ball. The Lowell players didn't like the increased pressure and started to make mistakes. We took the lead when Andy won the ball in midfield and fed Karsten, who played a looped pass over the defence and into the path of Bardot. The 'keeper got his hand to the low half-volley, but couldn't keep the ball out of the net.
Shortly afterwards Mike Altchek won the ball in a similar midfield position, and while everyone (perhaps including Mike) expected a pass over the top of the defence, a clever, low, angled drive was sent between the central defenders. Although at least two of our players were in offside positions, Karsten, who had timed his run beautifully, was not: he collected the pass, calmly rounded the 'keeper and tapped the ball into the goal. The Lowell players were outraged, but the ref's decision was correct.
The middle of the second half was a rather ugly affair with some nasty tackles flying in on our players and a couple of curious refereeing decisions. First the ref waved on an unintentional but clear handball that allowed Lowell to build an attack from the midfield that resulted in a corner. When Steve Shea jumped for the ensuing cross, a Lowell player bounced off him and fell to the ground. The referee pointed to the penalty spot to give Lowell a lifeline, and Samuel had no chance as the penalty was placed low to his right.
A penalty decision in our favour followed, but Christer appeared to be fouled twice, possible three times before the ref awarded it. Christer picked up the ball in the right corner, rounded a defender and stayed on his feet as the defender lunged, then tapped his ankles as he moved away. At the third attempt the defender managed to fell Christer, by which time he was already well inside the box. Steve Shea hit the kick to the 'keeper's right, but too close: the goalie wasn't a big man, but he didn't have to move far to parry the shot. In the ensuing chaos Steve and Tim Todreas were the first to the rebound but neither could score.
Lowell had more chances during this period of pressure, but the defence (variously Kirk, Mike, Tim Rosa, Kelvin and John) did a great job to keep them at bay, and Samuel held well when called upon. The air was finally taken out of Lowell's bubble when Bardot beat his defender on the right and the 'keeper could only parry his shot into the path of Andy, who tapped home from five yards.
This was a great show of character and an excellent team performance against difficult opponents. Every player contributed something to the hardest-fought victory of the season so far.
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