Cataraqui Soccer Club

Cataraqui I 2 vs Soccer Post United 0

For the first time in four games, Cataraqui I picked up a full complement of points.  And they are critical in the tightly packed A Division where, before the game, there were just three points separating second from seventh.

The winners did their thing tonight against Soccer Plus United by 2 goals to none.  The first half ended at nil-nil and fairly even play with both teams taking a few chances.  The most nerve wracking moments came courtesy of the opposition who, during the same goal mouth scramble hit the post not once, but twice.  The spurt ending securely in the arms of Val Tomsons who filled in more than admirably between the pipes for the absent Alex Fletcher.

At the time of writing I’m not sure of who carried MVP honours but my vote would have went to Graham Fedorak, Steve Stutzman or Eoin Boyle who had great games in the midfield.  Graham displayed wonderful ball control in taking the ball down the right flank, Steve was always sheriffing his mates into the proper marking positions and Eoin was a man on a mission tonight – going in hard on tackles and always back to support his fullbacks.

This is to take nothing away from the forwards who really showed their quality tonight.  For the most part we had trouble getting the ball into the final third of the field despite an opposition with one of the slower fullback quartets in the league.

Dave Ryding got Cat on the board with his third of the year – seemingly from nowhere.  At about the 60 minute mark, Dave was resting with the ball innocently about 25 yards out and blasted a shot on goal that bounded over the rough Caton’s turf beyond the outstretched arms of a diving keeper and just inside the far post.   1-0

The goal settled the white shirts down and we started to have more control of the game.  Soccer Post’s chances came on the counter and the fullback grouping of Ciaran Boyle, Artek Reczek, Paul Blais, Steve Vardy, Mark Laprise and Andy Nador had to be sharp to keep a clean sheet.  It wasn’t the prettiest a lot of the time but a result is a result.

The forwards were now starting to show all their mettle.  Zac Lewis exhibited incredible speed and toughness on several runs, Luc Hampel troubled the centre fullbacks, Joel Badour (on loan from Cat II) and Matt Herod even pushed from their midfield spots to have a couple goes at goal.  Larry Hart was his usual solid self.

For those who were there you know I am saving the best for last.  One of the nicest goals one will ever see just a few minutes from time.  From his right fullback position Andy took a free kick from about 40 yards.  It curled in to just south of the 18 yard line where a charging Peter Boyle Jr. had gotten in front of his mark.  With the ball screaming in just a couple of feet off the ground, Peter used his right instep to direct the ball to the top corner of the near post.  The goalie just stood there and I hazard to say, every other keeper in the world would have just stood there.   2-0

That completes our first run through the division with a record of 4 wins, 1 tie and 2 losses.  Not too shabby!  But we’re no secret anymore – the games will just get tougher.  Next match is Wednesday at 6:30 vs. Pilot House.  A fill-in scribe is needed as I won’t be there.  May the force be with you.

Paul Blais