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.

Orangemen vs Springfield Classico to Start the Summer Months

In a summer classico vs our long time rivals, Springfield, the Orangemen played a fantastic game, which, from at least one perspective was movement in the right direction. The game ended 5 to 5 with us being award a Pk in the last 10 seconds of the match. Winning the game was within reach, alas the shot when over the top.

However, we posted five goals against a very good side which also came at us and scored five of their own. Too almost win was positive because we are not going to change are stars, and move from a team at the bottom of the table, to at team at the top of the table, without moving through the middle of the table. And that means tie ball games. Almost winning, come from behind to tie games, and of course, hanging on for a result. If we keep up the hard work we will move the winning side of the table by winning, coming from behind to win, and hanging on to a lead. All of these things are not in our Orangemen legacy so they must be learned. We are making progress.

The reason the match was a classico was the amazing score line.

They scored 3 in the first half, but we scored 1 to go in at half-time 1-3. Then we made a come back going to 2-3 and to 3-3. Then we scored again to go to 4-3, and then one more to go to 5-3 to give us some breathing room. Alas they stepped on the gas and regain taking us to 5-4 and then one more to tie at 5-5. Then came the Pk in the closing seconds. It was a clear Pk, clear hand ball, no controversy what soever. Mooch looked away from the Pitch expecting Wil to step up and bury the ball in the net to win against our Springfield rivals. Alas Wil did not step up, and the goal was launched over the cross-bar. Almost Orangemen.

So here is the goal scoring and assist recap.

Jermaine scores two - with one great header off corner from Wil

Rahbi scored two

Wil scored one off a header from a Rahbi corner kick

Gregg played a great defensive game, perhaps the best game of his life.

George also plays great defensive game moving everywhere with speed.

With Rahbi up top playing in a attacking midfield role and Ben in the back of central midfield we had a strong presence.

Of course we had to start the game by giving Springfield John H, George, and Dave N to start.

B started with us.  Then we got John George and Dave back we swapped B for John to shore up our defense. That was a good move. But the best player move of the game was for Ben to switch with Jermaine in the sweeper position. Players against Springfield were:

Gene, Ben, Karl, Greg, George, John H, Alfredo, Kendal, Wil, Rahbi, Mooch, B, Dave N, Jermaine

I'm awarding Rahbi player of the game honors for his two goals and one assist.