We turned up to our second home game to find the pitch had rotated back to its original orientation - better for the goalkeepers, more difficult for the wingers. Our line-up for the game against FUFC was minimalist, just 12.5 able-bodied players.
The pattern of the game was very similar to last week: we dominated the opening half hour, eased off at the end of the half, struggled at the beginning of the second, then finished strongly.
We took an early lead when Gary drove through the centre before cutting the ball square to Karsten, who took a touch on the edge of the box before drilling in a low shot. A second goal almost came immediately afterwards when Ivan robbed a defender from the keeper's throw, but his snap-shot from the edge of the area hit the outside of the post. We didn't have to wait much longer before adding to the tally, though. Steve Shea put a cross in from the left, and when a multi-player collision ensued in front of goal, the ball ran back out to Steve who blasted through the crowd from a narrow angle. Shortly afterwards Pedro played a wonderful back-post cross that Samuel hooked over his head and wide. Get the knee above the shoulder next time, Samuel. Then Pedro was sent through by Karsten, moved past his defender and, with only the keeper to beat, slid the ball just past the post. Someone buy that man a protractor.
Mid-way through the half we went three goals to the good when the FUFC keeper fumbled a shot. Karsten pounced on the rebound and had his shot blocked, but Ivan side-footed the rebound of the rebound into the net from 8 yards.
We eased off the pressure and allowed FUFC to build some moves. Just before half-time Schecht was dispossessed with a sliding tackle close to the bye-line, the ball was brought out to create an angle and a shot was drilled high into the net to reduce the deficit.
FUFC attacked hard from the outset of the second half. We struggled to hold the ball and much of our defensive work was desperate. The defining moment came after about fifteen minutes when a cross from our right side was partially cleared and an FUFC player drilled a half-volley goalwards through a crowd of players. Mike made a stunning save low to his right, then blocked the rebound from one of the three advancing players, before gaining control of the ball by sitting on it.
After that shock we regained our composure and started to move the ball, making FUFC work harder. Pedro dropped a lovely corner at the back post for Gary, but his powerful header was off target. Schecht made a rare foray into attack, played a one-two with Ivan at the edge of the area and hammered in a low shot that the keeper did well to turn around the post. Pedro put in another lovely back-post cross and Ivan clattered a header against the angle of post and crossbar. In the dying minutes, Steve Shea made a wonderful run down the left into the penalty area, turning this way and that before finally running out of angle and hitting his shot at the keeper.
Squad: Mike O, Schecht, Mike A, Kelvin, Pap, Tom, Gary, Karsten, Ivan, Steve S, Samuel, Pedro, Steve (the .5) G
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Newton 2 - 0 Irish Village
Our Sunday outing was a hard game on a soft field. We welcomed Joe back from a spell in the co-ed wilderness, and Peter put in one of his occasional appearances.
Irish Village are a physical team, and they put in a typically robust, fighting performance. After two early goals we seemed to be cruising and looking to rack up a few more, but from the end of the first half we struggled to play any sort of passing game.
In the early stages of the game we pinned IV into their own half. A lot of the action came down the left side: Steve Gans had an early chance when he met Samuel's cross, but his header flew across the face of the goal. With less than ten minutes on the clock Ivan flicked the ball out to Samuel wide on the left. He carried the ball into the area and put in a cross for the resurgent Joe to head low into the corner. Five minutes later Samuel pulled the ball back to Ivan on the left corner of the penalty area, and he squared to Karsten. His first shot was blocked, but his second effort flew low past the keeper.
Other goalmouth highlights from the first half: Karsten diving to head a low cross that the keeper blocked at his left post; Karsten's lovely through ball that was picked up by Pedro, who beat his man only to slide the ball past the keeper and outside the post; and Peter collecting the ball in the middle in front of goal and, with Samuel and Pedro pulling the defenders wide, shooting over the crossbar.
There were also some interesting antics at the back. Mike O showed he may have some Colombian heritage as he collected a back-pass, rounded an advancing IV player and carried the ball 35 yards from his goal before laying off a pass. Later, a misunderstanding between the Mikes almost let in an IV player, but Mike O dropped on the ball after IV player took a touch. The ref saw it otherwise and gave a free kick for a back-pass, which IV shot over the bar.
In the second half IV pushed further up the field and caused us a lot of problems. At times we seemed to be playing some sort of 8-0-2 formation, with large gaps in our midfield, but we still created chances. Karsten had a good penalty shout rejected when he was axed down after getting past the last defender. Andy had a pop from more than 35 yards, and the keeper, with the sun in his eyes, did well to tip it over the crossbar. Kirk almost scored a spectacular goal after turning up, stealth mode, at the far post to connect with Andy's corner, but his volley flashed across the face of the goal. Tom had a decent hit from the edge of the area that flew over the bar. Ivan cut inside from the left and hit a low shot that the keeper turned around the far post.
The last quarter hour saw us doing some fairly frantic defending to keep IV at bay. They could have had at least one goal in the last fifteen but for good work by Mike O, Schect, Mike A and Tim Rosa in defence.
Not a totally convincing result, then, but three points in the bag, lots of chances created and our first clean sheet of the season.
Squad: Mike O, Mike A, Schect, Tim R, Kirk, Tom, Peter, Joe, Karsten, Ivan, Andy, Victor, Steve S, Pedro, Samuel, Steve G
Irish Village are a physical team, and they put in a typically robust, fighting performance. After two early goals we seemed to be cruising and looking to rack up a few more, but from the end of the first half we struggled to play any sort of passing game.
In the early stages of the game we pinned IV into their own half. A lot of the action came down the left side: Steve Gans had an early chance when he met Samuel's cross, but his header flew across the face of the goal. With less than ten minutes on the clock Ivan flicked the ball out to Samuel wide on the left. He carried the ball into the area and put in a cross for the resurgent Joe to head low into the corner. Five minutes later Samuel pulled the ball back to Ivan on the left corner of the penalty area, and he squared to Karsten. His first shot was blocked, but his second effort flew low past the keeper.
Other goalmouth highlights from the first half: Karsten diving to head a low cross that the keeper blocked at his left post; Karsten's lovely through ball that was picked up by Pedro, who beat his man only to slide the ball past the keeper and outside the post; and Peter collecting the ball in the middle in front of goal and, with Samuel and Pedro pulling the defenders wide, shooting over the crossbar.
There were also some interesting antics at the back. Mike O showed he may have some Colombian heritage as he collected a back-pass, rounded an advancing IV player and carried the ball 35 yards from his goal before laying off a pass. Later, a misunderstanding between the Mikes almost let in an IV player, but Mike O dropped on the ball after IV player took a touch. The ref saw it otherwise and gave a free kick for a back-pass, which IV shot over the bar.
In the second half IV pushed further up the field and caused us a lot of problems. At times we seemed to be playing some sort of 8-0-2 formation, with large gaps in our midfield, but we still created chances. Karsten had a good penalty shout rejected when he was axed down after getting past the last defender. Andy had a pop from more than 35 yards, and the keeper, with the sun in his eyes, did well to tip it over the crossbar. Kirk almost scored a spectacular goal after turning up, stealth mode, at the far post to connect with Andy's corner, but his volley flashed across the face of the goal. Tom had a decent hit from the edge of the area that flew over the bar. Ivan cut inside from the left and hit a low shot that the keeper turned around the far post.
The last quarter hour saw us doing some fairly frantic defending to keep IV at bay. They could have had at least one goal in the last fifteen but for good work by Mike O, Schect, Mike A and Tim Rosa in defence.
Not a totally convincing result, then, but three points in the bag, lots of chances created and our first clean sheet of the season.
Squad: Mike O, Mike A, Schect, Tim R, Kirk, Tom, Peter, Joe, Karsten, Ivan, Andy, Victor, Steve S, Pedro, Samuel, Steve G
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Medfield 1 - 1 Newton
A cool September morning, and just about enough of us turned up on time to kick off against Medfield on their immaculately groomed field. Medfield almost took the lead in the first minute when Mike A's generous pass to the feet of the tall forward set up a shooting opportunity, but he rushed his shot and sent it wide of Mike's right post.
Once the nerves had settled we built some chances. Steve G picked up Samuel's fine cross at the back post, and skewed his shot just wide of the post. Ivan received from Chris on the right side of the Medfield area, but his shot on the turn was well over the bar. Samuel received the ball at the back post, couldn't get the ball from beneath his feet, and the ensuing shot spun wide. Notice a pattern developing here?
At the other end, Mike made a fine save low to his left after a drilled shot from the edge of the area. Mid-way through the half he produced a brave stop at the feet of the speedy Medfield striker who'd burst into the area. By half-time this had turned into a finely balanced game
We started the second better than the first - no give-aways, for a start. We worked better and towards the middle of the half we were creating good chances. Victor drilled a shot just wide. A little later the ball was squared to Chris on the edge of the area, but his shot was screwed wide of the left post.
A sweeping move led to our goal: Ivan intercepted a pass on the left in our third, played the ball up the wing to Samuel, who cut it inside to Karsten. He pushed a pass forward to Pedro who outpaced his marker and smacked a clean shot past the helpless Medfield keeper.
We had another couple of opportunities after the goal. Steve Shea had a pop from thirty yards that dipped and would have gone in had the keeper not been paying attention. And Karsten made a strong run down the left wing and cut a wonderful cross for Pedro to head just over under pressure. Also noteworthy: Kirk made a brief cameo appearance in defence at this stage.
With fifteen minutes remaining we lost our way a little, resorting to long balls from defence, allowing Medfield to build from the back. Honourable mentions for Schect and Tom for a couple of important interceptions at this stage. Mike O kept us in the game with another brave save at the feet of the fast Medfield forward, then was alert when their right winger cut inside and hit a powerful shot. With ten left Medfield equalised: a long ball was flicked on and the tall striker had the composure to slot the ball just pass Mike.
This was a fair result given the performance of both teams. We should perhaps work on getting our shots on target before our next game.
Squad: Mike O, Schect, Tom, Tim R, Mike A, Kelvin, Karsten, Andy, Chris, Ivan, Steve G, Steve S, Victor, Samuel, Pedro
Once the nerves had settled we built some chances. Steve G picked up Samuel's fine cross at the back post, and skewed his shot just wide of the post. Ivan received from Chris on the right side of the Medfield area, but his shot on the turn was well over the bar. Samuel received the ball at the back post, couldn't get the ball from beneath his feet, and the ensuing shot spun wide. Notice a pattern developing here?
At the other end, Mike made a fine save low to his left after a drilled shot from the edge of the area. Mid-way through the half he produced a brave stop at the feet of the speedy Medfield striker who'd burst into the area. By half-time this had turned into a finely balanced game
We started the second better than the first - no give-aways, for a start. We worked better and towards the middle of the half we were creating good chances. Victor drilled a shot just wide. A little later the ball was squared to Chris on the edge of the area, but his shot was screwed wide of the left post.
A sweeping move led to our goal: Ivan intercepted a pass on the left in our third, played the ball up the wing to Samuel, who cut it inside to Karsten. He pushed a pass forward to Pedro who outpaced his marker and smacked a clean shot past the helpless Medfield keeper.
We had another couple of opportunities after the goal. Steve Shea had a pop from thirty yards that dipped and would have gone in had the keeper not been paying attention. And Karsten made a strong run down the left wing and cut a wonderful cross for Pedro to head just over under pressure. Also noteworthy: Kirk made a brief cameo appearance in defence at this stage.
With fifteen minutes remaining we lost our way a little, resorting to long balls from defence, allowing Medfield to build from the back. Honourable mentions for Schect and Tom for a couple of important interceptions at this stage. Mike O kept us in the game with another brave save at the feet of the fast Medfield forward, then was alert when their right winger cut inside and hit a powerful shot. With ten left Medfield equalised: a long ball was flicked on and the tall striker had the composure to slot the ball just pass Mike.
This was a fair result given the performance of both teams. We should perhaps work on getting our shots on target before our next game.
Squad: Mike O, Schect, Tom, Tim R, Mike A, Kelvin, Karsten, Andy, Chris, Ivan, Steve G, Steve S, Victor, Samuel, Pedro
Newton 2 - 4 Crafty Veterans
Such terseness, such brevity from the pen of our dear leader:
2 great crosses by Mick and Brads that both ended up in back of the net. Well done lads.
2 great crosses by Mick and Brads that both ended up in back of the net. Well done lads.
Spring 2010 Season Recap
Another successful season rolled by with another top position for the team. Here's a review of our results in Spring 2010:
Top of the goal-scoring heap was Karsten, with an impressive total of 10 for the season: a worthy winner of the GoldenBoot Ball
| Newton | 2:3 | Framingham |
| Medfield | 1:3 | Newton |
| Newton | 1:0 | Stoughton |
| Hudson | 2:4 | Newton |
| Newton | 5:2 | Irish Village |
| Framingham | 3:1 | Newton |
| Newton | 4:2 | Medfield |
| Stoughton | 1:2 | Newton |
| Newton | 2:0 | Hudson |
| Irish Village | 0:3 | Newton |
Top of the goal-scoring heap was Karsten, with an impressive total of 10 for the season: a worthy winner of the Golden
| Karsten | 10 |
| Pedro | 5 |
| Bardot | 3 |
| Andy | 2 |
| Chris | 2 |
| Pap | 2 |
| Samuel | 1 |
| Steve C | 1 |
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