Cataraqui Soccer Club

Cataraqui I 2 vs Sporting 1

I can’t stop taking my eyes off of the GKSSA standings this morning.  Cataraqui I in first place with 6 points after two games!  Yes, we could have imagined such a place, but realistically…

We are all becoming believers, it seems, and last night’s 90 minute performance proved Coach Boyle’s pre-game pep talk that we CAN beat anyone in this league.

On a very cold and very wet May 21st (Happy Birthday Honey!) the boys in blue added last year’s second place squad to its list of early season victims.  Sporting were smarting from their collapse last week against Soccer Plus United and came out firing on all cylinders, but only to collapse again in the late going.

I promised that John Gallianaro and Luc Hampel would get first billing this week – so there you go!  All in all though a really well played game by all – and there were lots of us – 8 subs I think.

The good guys were up by one late in the first half when an attempted long ball was put back down the left flank by defender Artek Reczek.  It eventually fed Mark Schultes loose down the wing and he made a wonderful cross that skipped by the keeper.  That’s where pushing midfielder Larry Hart got just enough of his instep on the ball to force it across the line.  1-0

Only a couple of minutes later and just before the half-time whistle, Larry had a beautiful opportunity to take the team scoring lead.  However, this time an almost identical ball took a wicked hop off the wet turf and, although Larry was behind the keeper a few yards from goal, he couldn’t get his head on it.  Too bad he didn’t have a bigger head.

The second half was more of the same.  Sporting may have had a little more of the overall play, but Cataraqui always looked very dangerous on the counter.  The Sporting fullbacks had difficulty in corralling the likes of Peter Boyle Jr., Dave Ryding, Zack Lewis and Luc when they were set loose.

Mention should go to Alex Fletcher who may not have been tested with any big reaction saves (a testament to the defence) but was extremely solid.  He had complete control of his 18 yard box and any crosses.  No mishandles the entire night.  He also took a few good whacks that I’m sure left him aching this morning.

For only a moment Cataraqui lacked intensity and it punished them in the 70th minute.  A goal kick to half-way went unchallenged and the Sporting midfielder who controlled the ball also walked in to within 30 yards where he calmly ‘chipped’ the whole lot of the Cataraqui defence and keeper.  1-1

While Sporting may have got fired up by the goal we would have none of it and showed resiliency to their attacks.  The midfield kept it tight.  Kudos to Steve “I thought you had a z in your name” Stutsman, the aforementioned John Gallianaro and Larry Hart, Jason Akers, Eoin Boyle, Graham Fedorak and Roman Zablocki who was named a deserving MVP (the first of what will be many).

The fact that Sporting was pushing so hard for the winner probably cost them in the end.  The go ahead goal was started from the back line.  A Sporting free kick from 35 yards was headed clear at the 18 by Paul Blais to Peter Jr. who had oceans of space at the bottom of the midfield circle.  Rather than take it, he fed Mark Schultes a wonderful through ball.  Mark was clear to goal and, under the pursuit of a fullback, put a rocket onto the net. The keeper parried it towards the corner where Mark gathered the ball and put a stunning cross to the trailing Peter Jr.  Peter had shaken his defender and calmly leaped to place a header into the gaping net.  An awesome play all around!   2-1

From there it was all up to the defence and they were their usual solid selves.  In particular Andy “long throw” Nadar and Steve Vardy were exceptional without having a rest on the evening.  No slouches themselves Ted “good to have you back” Bailey and Matt Herod added to the complement.

Next week brings two games.  The first being against The Fanatics on Wednesday at 6:30 at Caton’s (to the pub afterwards boys!!!) and the second is an elimination Cup game against The Keg on Friday at 6:30 also at Caton’s.

Paul Blais