Orangemen vs Chantilly Sept 2014

What a beautiful Fall night for a game.  The temperature was perfect with little humidity and the night was clear.  The. Orangemen assembled at Arrowbrook to play our longtime rivals the Chantilly Casuals led by Dick and John C.  We had a returning ref who has really been one of the best ref’s we’ve experienced in recent years and really  likes officiating at our games.  It's important to note that the Orangemen have now gone 700 days since the last red card.  Almost two years and close to 100 games.  That's a record of sportsmanship to be proud of Orangemen...thanks for keeping it together.  

Lineup for last night

Gene

Karl

Scott F

John H

Mooch

Tedd (½ game)

Forrest

Peter F

Mauricio

Wil

Fabian

Dave N

Jose

Tommy

Sam

Tedd wasn’t at full strength having just ridden his bike 100 miles in a race earlier in the day. But he made it back to the pitch just to show us he is Superman.  

We came out strong and in the words of Dick C...he thought his team was in real jeopardy last night.  However, Chantilly was really pressing us and we had a hard time getting out of our half of the field even though we were defending well and not allow them a chance.  Chantilly had a few early opportunities with Gene coming up big on what should have been the opening goal, reflexively dropping to the his left to block a hard and low shot with his arm.  Even Will called out loudly into the night, “That’s my goalie!” when Gene made the save.  Even Chantilly had to compliment him on the save.  We remained goalless until Mooch opened the scoring by making a diagonal run to the top of the 18 just in front of Forrest who play a perfectly weighted ball for Mooch to run onto.  With all the time in the world Mooch could think through his strike, get his feet right, get over the ball, and strike the ball across the keeper to the far post.  Playing it across his body was reminiscent of the goal Wayne Rooney scored earlier in the day for ManU.  Mooch, however, would not be sent off with a Red Card for ridiculous behavior as Rooney was in the second half.

Chantilly wouldn’t be out done and responded with two goals before the half...with their first being a soft opener and it dropped to Karl to clear but he was unable as he was mobbed in the box.  On a positive note the Orangemen opening up the Chantilly defense and threatening several times…

In the second half we again had multiple opportunities to score with Jose and Wil having multiple shots.  Jose and Wil both hit the frame and we were unable to capitalize on the rebounds.  Jose made it two about mid-way through the second half when a ball was played over the top.  The Chantilly defender looked to play the ball with his hand but it landed for Jose having advantage as he ran into the 18. The ref, seeing the advantage allowed play to continue and  Jose hit the ball with power and there was nothing the Keeper could do as the ball went straight to the top of the net stretching it high and wide.

Chantilly scored another two in the second half with one goal being a fabulous shot  from Alex who turned on it from outside the 18 and curled hit to the high right corner above Gene's outstretched hands.  This would bring their tally to 4 with the Orangemen still at 2 but threatening more and more often.  The Orangemen dominated the last 10 minutes of the game...with just another 5 minutes we were ready to score one or two more.

Nothing to be ashamed of last night it was a fabulous game.  

Orangemen vs Mt Vernon Sept 2014

Orangemen, nothing to be upset about last night...we played a good game and in effect carried Mt. Veron with two of our regulars and two or our visitors.  Final score was 3 to 4.  Highlights of the game included Wils hat-trick which we celebrated after the game with ShockTop in the parking lot and a visit from Fairfax’s Finest.  We passed well and really we able to control the ball well.  Matt made a return appearance after 5 months out for a broken clavicle.  As usual he  brought his family to play in the sprinklers and generally run up and down the side lines at full speed in burst of orange and white.

The lineup included

Gene

Karl

Greg

John H

Matt

Alfredo

Pete (Not Peter)

Tedd

Sam F

Wil

JV

Mooch

Fabian

Drew (John H’s friend)

Forrest

-----------the other team

Mauricio

Scott F

Cris

Mike

Mt Vernon played well...but I think we out played them.  As at least two of the Mt. Vernon goals I would consider very soft and although the ref had a good game from my perspective, Mt Vernon was aggressive and I counted at least three time when Mt Vernon left their feet to challenge for a ball that they won...were they slides, technically not, but they did leave their feet to lunge at balls which should be called in my mind.  Ironically the guilty parties included Cris and Mike...who btw...played very well for Mt Vernon...without Cris an Mike we definately would have defeated them.  I counted up the cash on hand for the Fall Season...turns out...with the exception of the final home game, the season is paid for...with $40 in reserve.  I think we need a new game ball so next game I collect should pay for the next home game and give us about $80 for a quality game ball.  I’m open for suggestions on type, etc.

Clearly Orangemen of the Match honors go to Wil for his Hat trick...which included a PK.  He also scored a fabulous opener from outside the 18 in the first five minutes of the game which went high and left and curled just inside the post to open his account and then during the second half positioning himself by charging into the box as the cross game in...from either Sam or Pete (can’t remember) to finish in style.  

Thanks to everyone for playing the positions I assigned during the run of the game...that makes my job much easier!