Cataraqui Soccer Club

Cataraqui II 1 vs Vita Inter SC 1

They call it the beautiful game.  Some nights it is easier to see why than others.  The St Lawrence Park is in pristine condition, and the Spring weather was the perfect backdrop for a great game of football.

This was a thrilling game with end-to-end action for 90 minutes.  Cataraqui II settled in quickly, and Peter Boyle Jr made the first of many telling and piercing runs down the right wing.  A sliding Rob Lusink met his early ball aimed at the far post and Cataraqui II was a goal to the good.  The first half continued in a free-flowing style with chances at both ends.  Vita equalized after a strong shot from the left was saved by Melvin Orozco, but fell to the feet of an incoming forward.

In his first game for Cataraqui II, Melvin Orozco showed some of the form which made him top goalkeeper for 2006 in the ‘C’ Division, saving several good shots and maintaining a nice control of his area.  The central defenders, Barry Cave and Eddie Edwards had control for the bulk of the game, and rarely looked out of position or threatened.  Steve Vardy was substituted for the yellow-carded and injured Ross Morton and showed superb flashes of speed to give the forwards several chances in both halfs of the game. George (I talk like I’m from Edinburgh) Lovell provided extra support at the back.  In the second half he was fired up by a challenge, which ripped his shirt “from the oxter to the hem” (you can look up oxter: it’s a great word). John McGarry and Andy Nader held the left well, the latter sending in booming throws to the back post and centre of the box, giving the Vita Inter defense lots of cause for concern.

The midfield and forwards were tireless. Nice to see Gary Hart back in a blue uniform, Ted Bailey was a dynamo of energy, and captain Pete Jenkins put in a solid performance.  Warren Tutty showed some nice passing skills, laying the ball off very well to the forwards.  Cataraqui II had a number of chances with Brian Dodo, Peter Boyle Jr and Rob Lusink coming close on several occasions, but the winning goal could not be found.

The game was punctuated with numerous memorable moments.  A beautiful passing sequence between Garry Hart and Mark LaPrise comes to mind as well as some flamboyant histrionics from the Vita defense.

The only dark cloud was a late injury to Rob Lusink, sandwiched between goalkeeper and defender as he tried to get on to the end of a far post cross.  Rob left the field with a painful and swollen shoulder.  Coach Bill Stewart must be glad he signed so many players given an accumulation of injury (including the damage to George Lovell’s voice and shirt) this early in the season.

Thanks again to the fans who were treated to an excellent game under delightful conditions.  Next week there are two games to enjoy.  The Tuesday fixture is at Caton’s 2 against old rivals Kelsey’s, and a Friday game at the same venue against Philthy McNasty’s.  Both games kick off at 6:30.