As the Thunder Rolls...In (But Not Fast Enough)

The Orangemen would assemble on the Memorial Day weekend for a game that came under threat from two sources.  The first, the game was originally cancelled as the Herndon Attack could only field four players and terminated the game on Thursday night.  Mooch scrambled to find Mt. Vernon as a willing opponent and Jon B their manager gratefully stepped up to take us on.  The second threat came from Mother Nature, or rather the atmospheric disturbances of Hurricane Isaac’s outer bands pushing a number of server thunderstorms forward across the Central Atlantic states.  The thunder and lightning was threatening at kick-off with Gerard assigned the task of keeping the piece and the safety of the game at hand by keeping a watchful eye on the storms as the rolled in.

It was hot and muggy with temperatures still in the 90’s at kick-off a condition that would hinder the Orangemen, despite 6 substitutes, as Mt Vernon delivered a huge victory by beating the Orangemen 6  (or 7) to nill before Gerard called the game quits 25 minutes into the second half due to the proximity of the ferocious lightning strikes.

Lacking a few keep players in defense to start the game Doug stepped up as sweeper with Karl and Sam in their routine positions with Mooch staring as stopper.  In midfield, B was on the left, with Andreas and Jon central and Floppy running up the right flank.  Bob A and Jim L started up top.  It should be noted that Mt. Vernon lacked a keeper at kick-off so the Orangemen graciously offered up Mauricio to step between to frame for them. This formation proved highly effective as the Orangemen were on the attack and pressured Mt. Vernon again and again.  We were easily in control of the midfield and let very few runs forward come from a very talented Mt Vernon side.

Early shot’s came from Jon, B, Mooch, and Floppy.  Trouble for the Orangemen came as we grew tired from wave after wave of attack and then made their first round of substitutions.  Mooch stepped forward to run into the box on a long throw-in from Jon leaving the defense to Doug and the two new defenders who just stepped onto the pitch, the visiting Sandy and Nate the keeper’s son.   Mt Vernon swiftly launched a counter attack with our entire front line, midfield, and Mooch too far forward to assist in defense.  The result was inevitable as the Mt Vernon strikers are known for their clinical finishing.  Gene could only stand flat footed as the first Mt Vernon shot came in with ridicules pace and accurate to the top left corner of the net.  

A few minutes later the Orangemen had an opportunity with a well struck ball traveling through the penalty area going just wide of the far post.  One of the Orangemen raised the issue of a wrong call and the questionable award of the goal kick vs a corner kick because it appeared to him that the ball was deflected wide by striking the keepers mitt.  Mt. Vernon side didn’t react as if it was deflected, nor did anyone else on the Orangemen.  Mooch had a clear view of the ball from when it was struck to when it curled wide over the end-line.  The Orangemen player said he heard the deflection.  He asked ref to ask the Mt Vernon side to fess up to the fact that ball was touched by their keeper’s glove and deflected across the end line.  When that didn't happen the Orangemen player refused to let it go and launch a tirade of verbal yelling at Mt. Vernon players.   He began yelling at Mt Vernon that they were dishonorable for the next 15 minutes.  Two things here…first, only Mooch talks to the ref.   Let me reemphasize…only Mooch talks to the ref.  Second, the call is the call.  After the ref makes the call, right or wrong, zip it, get back in position, and get on with the game.    Field justice normally materializes within a few minutes if necessary.  I’m not going to comment further on a continuous tirade to call the other players without honor.  I not beyond talking smack to the other team…but it should stop within a minute or so.  Mt Vernon then went on to score two more unanswered goals before halftime in similar fashion, very accurate strikes from there talented offense.

At half-time Mooch called Mauricio back from his goal tending duties with Mt. Vernon and started him in the mid-field. Jon A was struggling with a tight left hamstring and dropped back to defend with Doug.  Once again, the Orangemen showed Great Spirit for the first 10 or so minutes of the second half with several forward runs from Mauricio making a run up the left hand side with a great strike on goal.  B was also back in the business of making runs with a tremendous ball over the top from Andreas to land perfectly for B to run onto.  Unfortunately Mt. Vernon fielded a central defender who must have played semi-pro ball.  In fact the Mt. Vernon defense was absent with the exception of this terrific player.  He was almost capable of playing defense single handed.  I didn’t see him make a single mistake the entire game. 

25 minutes into the 2^nd half Gerard called it quits as the lighting was extremely close.  It was the right call and since Mt. Vernon was handing us our ass at that point it didn’t come soon enough.  Since this game was not our regular match with Mt. Vernon we get a second opportunity this season to play them.  25 Nov will be an away game to Mt. Vernon…we will use this opportunity to regain some pride after the humiliating defeat in the heat and lighting.

  

Finally, for those new players who need practice on the proper techniques to throw-in a soccer ball they should watch this YouTube video get out this week and practice a few throws.  Here’s a good practice video.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1vwjiWR0pQ