Cataraqui Soccer Club

Cataraqui II had a great league season this year.  We finished fourth – a great improvement on last year, and just one spot away from coach Kennedy’s goal of third or better.  There was, as last year, a great team spirit and there were many highlights of the year.  We still have the playoffs to go and are really in contention: there is no team in this league that we cannot beat.

So, here goes for the last three games of the season – I have taken the liberty of adding a few select illustrations.

Cataraqui II 8 vs KUSC I 2

This was a very one sided affair against a seven man team.  KUSC were game enough to try with the bear minimum of players, but really had no chance of avoiding a hatful of goals.  As usual against an undermanned team, we got off to a slow and frustrating start.  We created inevitable breakaways – no hard with 4 extra players, but lacked the finishing touch.  Ross Corcoran had a drive come off the bar, but it was left to Jason Shepherd to get us the two goal lead that we took into the break.  Val had a goal called back for offside when it looked OK from the bench. (We have the best view of all the play – why wont the refs listen to us?).

In the second half we had more chances and scored more goals, Brian, Dino, Roman, Ross C, and Joe all getting on the score sheet.  A special mention goes to Tyson for his first goal of the season so far.  A fine reflex effort, and great competitive spirit. (Reminded me of me as a youth – see picture)

Also Dino had a great bicycle kick off the cross bar.

On the defensive side, no real issues with this on, although seven men did score two goals……  I had a wonderful flubbed header in the first half.

Good result and so we finished fourth in the league.

Cataraqui II 0 vs SGPS United 0

This was a very enjoyable game, except for the scoreline.  I thought we had them.  Nevertheless congratulations to Val on his clean sheet.  A couple of nice saves, and to the SGPS keeper who also pulled off some very good saves.  One in particular from a signature free kick from Roman which looked destined for the bottom left corner.

This was a hard played, hard fought game.  Max got yellow carded for a tackle, but showed good sportsman ship making enquiries of the referee as to whether the other player was OK.

 

Jason got a yellow card too, but really there was little else of note in the game.  I should point out, that this was one of the best refereed games we have played in this season.  Always easy to poke fun at the refs, but I thought I had to acknowledge a job well done.

Cataraqui II 0 vs Scarpazza Homes 3

The good news is that when I get back to three games ago, I don’t remember exactly how things went.  I remember being surprised that we lost this one, although we did give away a very early goal.

We were never going to score here, good saves, inside of the post, fouls just outside the box – it was simply not our day.

Best to say as little as possible, although there was one memorable moment when Scarpazza scored a goal – James, talk us through this one…

On a final note: I have had a great time again with a wonderful bunch of guys and gals.  We have had outstanding support at each and every game (even the flooded out ones).  I am really looking forward to the playoffs with new coach Rick Pierce – we really are contenders.

Ross Morton