Orangemen vs Great Pretenders June 2014

Almost to the day, last year, June 9th, the Orangemen took on the Pretenders and the result was a 5 to 5 draw.

http://nvaorangemen.blogspot.com/2013/06/orangemen-vs-great-pretenders-right-on.html

This year we also played the Pretenders to a draw, except the score was 0 to 0.  We held a relentless offense scoreless while posting too many opportunities to count on their half of the pitch, we just failed to finish.  It’s important to point out that we were playing with 2 substitutes while they had at least 5.

First 15 minutes of the game we clearly were controlling the match.  Same for the first 20 minutes of the second half.  The Pretenders simply could get the ball under control and we could.

Gene made an outstanding save early in the game and then kept a clean sheet.  The team that responded to Mooch’s last minute call for players resulted in Steve H and Richard showing up.  Without the two of them, and our ability to substitute...let alone Richard’s outstanding brick wall in the midfield...the result quite possibly would have been different.

Johnny H
Dave N
Alfredo
Wil
Richard
Mooch
Greg
Karl
Gene
Steve H
Jan
Mike
Rahbi

We had more than our fair share of scoring opportunities.

John H had shots and hit the post
Rahbi had shots
Wil had shots
Mooch had shot
Alfredo had shot

Passing was terrific out of the back and through the midfield.  We even had some passing going on up top and the crosses that did come in were goal scoring opportunities.

Once again we stayed for red solo cups and post game recaps where Mooch apologized to the teammates who stayed around for the general yelling and screaming he did at them during the game.

We all played very well last night.  If I was leaning toward a player of the match it would be Gene for keeping a clean sheet...or Richard for his energy defending in the midfield and winning the ball back.