Cat II Continue Their Trek for the Top, Lead by MVP Blais |
Cataraqui II 4 vs Scarpazza Homes 2
Coming off a string of matches with respectable results against the top seeded teams, there may have been some sense of relief for the boys in black as they stepped onto the cratered surface of Frontenac S.S. to face off against bottom placed Scarpazza Homes. But any notion of that kind was quickly erased in the opening minutes of the game. Cat II seemed to start with confidence, using space and setting up multiple passing sequences, but things took a rocky turn as the pitch got in on the action. I won’t make excuses as both sides had to navigate the tufts and tundra. It just seemed that the more possession we maintained, the more we were affected by the varying landscape dynamics. This inability to adjust led to multiple play breakdowns and what appeared to be the desire to give 50% of our passes directly to the boys wearing 50% black jerseys...Scarpazza.
The remainder of this report, which should contain accurate details of the events of the match, will at best be a blurred culmination of said facts and nightmares brought on by my post game midnight snack of hummus wraps and Bud Lights. But I’ll do my best.
One of the early breakdowns I mentioned landed on a fleet footed Scarpazza midfielder who pranced around our midfield resistance to the top of the eighteen yard box where he rifled a shot which ricocheted off an unidentified body part and found the back of the net. I doubt Max Steele could see the shot through the masses, let alone react to the last minute change of trajectory. We were a goal down, but it was early and the feeling was that it was somewhat of a fluke… a wake up call. The midfield and forward lines continued to work well at setting up passing plays, although there were few that made it to the point of a scoring opportunity. Tutty, Badour and Laurie only managed a few errant pot shots but it did feel as though it would just be a matter of time.
About midway through the half, our defensive unit, which was struggling with communication and adaptive coverage, was set back on it’s heels once again when three Scarpazza attackers overpowered the right flank with well executed triangle passing and potted a second goal. Now things were looking serious. Scarpazza’s youth and speed were winning out by taking advantage of any cracks in our more controlled play. We kept our heads, and Max and the back line of Corcoran, Blais, McIntyre and Boehme regrouped and cleared up their lines of communication. But was it too late?!
That question would be answered quickly and confidently. With a free kick just over half, Ross Cor-cor-an set his sights on the horizontal blip in the wanting lineup, made the call “Val!”, and launched. Val Tomsons took care of the rest in his usual non chalant manner by sharply redirecting the leather heeed-seeker just away from the keeper’s outstretched mitts and into the mesh. The shift had begun. There were many more determined runs in both directions, but with the half drawing to an end, Roman Zablocki took a shoulder height bounce just outside th eighteen yard box which looked like an impossible ball to handle, cocked his trigger-femur and with Bruce Lee precision released a rocket into the top left corner. It was a sight to see, and we were even and pumped at the half. Coach Kennedy had some encouraging words for the squad and noticing the opposition were short on substitutions, committed to making active use of ours.
Throughout the second half, Scarpazza continued to make breakneck speed attacks, but the back line which now featured Rob McDonald on left back was up to the task. Anything, or anyone who got past the three defenders was dealt with unconditionally by game MVP sweeper - Paul Blais. A much more vocal and aggressive Max Steele made some big plays to keep us confident and in the hunt. That energy transferred to the other end of the field when Ross Corcoran, in typical bulldog style, worked his body and the ball through the Scarpazza defence and gave us the go ahead goal. Nearing the end of the half, at what most would consider a harmless distance, Jason Sheppard gained control of a lively ball, deked a tackle, turned and sent a ball at such pace that it went through the foot of another tackler, and I believe took his boot with it into the bottom corner for what would be the final goal of the game. A 4-2 victory and a sigh of relief that we will not have to set foot on that field for a while.
I wouldn't be doing this write up justice if I didn't mention the tireless efforts of Joel Badour, as he worked his magic up and down the lush overgrowth of the left flanks creating opportunities with crosses and assisting in the defensive effort. New acquisition, Ted Bailey diplayed his usual no nonsense, "I'll take that" style as he declared ownership with every challenge, whether in the air, or sliding along the turf, on defense and in the midfield. New Addition Cody Huffman got dug in on several plays, showing he's a good fit with his control, focus and vision on the front line. Bernie Harpell was again strong on the right mid flank where he served up his usual selection of accurate through balls and dangerous throw-ins. Bernie's brother Brian was also at the game. Seriously everyone put forth a great effort and if I missed anyone, send me your version of the report and I'll consider ammending mine.
The evening was topped off nicely at the Toucan where Cataraqui III was already warming the benches after their less successful outing against Frontenac United. But I won’t belabour that point (thanks Dave!). There was much musical-chair intermingling and downing of liquid courage, and we will no doubt have more of the same when we meet Cataraqui I for our Carmine Lanzo Sr. Cup game this Friday at 6:30pm on Woodbine 5. Hope to see you there!
James McIntyre
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