CSSC 1 – 2 Superbia FC
Crescentwood’s last match of the 2017 outdoor season neatly captured the team’s overall performance this summer: some inspired play, an emerging youth contingent, rallying efforts, and mixed results. It’s somewhat remarkable that the squad will finish in second or third, if the league tables are accurate (which is up for question). But such are the wonders of Division 6, with only the Portage Cobras standing out above a tightly grouped following pack. A win against Superbia would have solidified Crescentwood’s second place finish, which may or may not have meant the mixed blessing of promotion, depending on the yet to be determined relegation/promotion rules handed down from the executive suites of the MMSL. A loss and CSSC could finish anywhere from second to seventh.
Crescentwood began their last game of the season as they often do: confused and on the defensive. Superbia made some lovely team play runs down the center of the field and looked threatening. Their first formidable effort was thwarted by Mac’s nimble skills, but their second effectively broke Crescentwood’s shaky defensive line, and they put one into the back of the net. Their first goal seemed to have shaken Crescentwood out of their slumber, and the first half became more balanced, with attacking runs from both sides. CSSC's immediate response was for Hudson to thread Jude DB in behind the Superbia defense. In alone on goal, Jude couldn't squeeze his shot past the Suberbia keeper, who was quick off his line. With Niall on the right, and some solid midfield distribution from Loxley, Hudson, Dylan and Colin, things started to look good. But Superbia’s short and speedy midfielder was having none of it with a goal of the season contender. He made an excellent run from the halfway line, blazing by Crescentwood’s midfield and defence in a solo run, before blasting a shot into the next.
CSSC's hope was restored in an unlikely fashion. After making several crucial saves, most spectacularly diving low to his left to get a strong hand to thwart what seemed like a sure goal for Todd Chernomas, the keeper let a floating cross-ball from the right-wing midfielder Niall Harney drift over his fingertips and into the back of the net. 2-1 with plenty of time on the clock.
The second half was much the same; in fact, the balance shifted further toward Crescenwood’s favour with a majority of possession and plays. Successive waves of attack were unable to find the net. In a last feverish five minutes keeper Mac even joined play in Superbia’s half on two occasions, with all 11 men on the attack. The final play saw a beautifully placed corner-kick that was ripe for the picking, but bore no fruit. The final whistle sounded in a 2-1 defeat.
Fanbase John Loxley, Pete Hudson and Kelsey Griffith-Parker gave the team a roaring applause to see their season out.
Despite the final result, the future looks reasonable for Crescentwood. A second or third place finish is not bad despite our performance. The team also has some rejuvenation this season, with three of our top five goal-scorers this season being under 20.
Crescentwood fell slightly below the league average (29) in goals scored, having netted 26 this season. We were also slightly above the league average (28) in goals against, having let in 31. Only two of the league’s nine teams have a worse goals against average. Crescentwood’s defensive line will need strengthening.
And yet! Despite falling below average in both goals for and goals against, we finished near the top of the league. Crescentwood has a resilient team or, more likely, the other teams are equally moderate. Whatever the case, Crescenwood ought to feel okay about a reasonable finish near the top of the league.
Man of the Match: The team played well despite the final result, with no stand-out player to mention. It might have been Todd Chernomas had he not gone down early in the second half with what was diagnosed as either a nasty hamstring or "exhaustion" one of which is not acceptable for a 30 year old. Matt Loxley’s usual control as both a defensive midfielder and playmaker helped the team along consistently. If not that, for the double facts that he battled through some nasty tummy trouble courtesy of a pre game spicey Thai curry and didn’t have an ultimate game, man of the match goes to Matt.
Crescentwood’s last match of the 2017 outdoor season neatly captured the team’s overall performance this summer: some inspired play, an emerging youth contingent, rallying efforts, and mixed results. It’s somewhat remarkable that the squad will finish in second or third, if the league tables are accurate (which is up for question). But such are the wonders of Division 6, with only the Portage Cobras standing out above a tightly grouped following pack. A win against Superbia would have solidified Crescentwood’s second place finish, which may or may not have meant the mixed blessing of promotion, depending on the yet to be determined relegation/promotion rules handed down from the executive suites of the MMSL. A loss and CSSC could finish anywhere from second to seventh.
Crescentwood began their last game of the season as they often do: confused and on the defensive. Superbia made some lovely team play runs down the center of the field and looked threatening. Their first formidable effort was thwarted by Mac’s nimble skills, but their second effectively broke Crescentwood’s shaky defensive line, and they put one into the back of the net. Their first goal seemed to have shaken Crescentwood out of their slumber, and the first half became more balanced, with attacking runs from both sides. CSSC's immediate response was for Hudson to thread Jude DB in behind the Superbia defense. In alone on goal, Jude couldn't squeeze his shot past the Suberbia keeper, who was quick off his line. With Niall on the right, and some solid midfield distribution from Loxley, Hudson, Dylan and Colin, things started to look good. But Superbia’s short and speedy midfielder was having none of it with a goal of the season contender. He made an excellent run from the halfway line, blazing by Crescentwood’s midfield and defence in a solo run, before blasting a shot into the next.
CSSC's hope was restored in an unlikely fashion. After making several crucial saves, most spectacularly diving low to his left to get a strong hand to thwart what seemed like a sure goal for Todd Chernomas, the keeper let a floating cross-ball from the right-wing midfielder Niall Harney drift over his fingertips and into the back of the net. 2-1 with plenty of time on the clock.
The second half was much the same; in fact, the balance shifted further toward Crescenwood’s favour with a majority of possession and plays. Successive waves of attack were unable to find the net. In a last feverish five minutes keeper Mac even joined play in Superbia’s half on two occasions, with all 11 men on the attack. The final play saw a beautifully placed corner-kick that was ripe for the picking, but bore no fruit. The final whistle sounded in a 2-1 defeat.
Fanbase John Loxley, Pete Hudson and Kelsey Griffith-Parker gave the team a roaring applause to see their season out.
Despite the final result, the future looks reasonable for Crescentwood. A second or third place finish is not bad despite our performance. The team also has some rejuvenation this season, with three of our top five goal-scorers this season being under 20.
Crescentwood fell slightly below the league average (29) in goals scored, having netted 26 this season. We were also slightly above the league average (28) in goals against, having let in 31. Only two of the league’s nine teams have a worse goals against average. Crescentwood’s defensive line will need strengthening.
And yet! Despite falling below average in both goals for and goals against, we finished near the top of the league. Crescentwood has a resilient team or, more likely, the other teams are equally moderate. Whatever the case, Crescenwood ought to feel okay about a reasonable finish near the top of the league.
Man of the Match: The team played well despite the final result, with no stand-out player to mention. It might have been Todd Chernomas had he not gone down early in the second half with what was diagnosed as either a nasty hamstring or "exhaustion" one of which is not acceptable for a 30 year old. Matt Loxley’s usual control as both a defensive midfielder and playmaker helped the team along consistently. If not that, for the double facts that he battled through some nasty tummy trouble courtesy of a pre game spicey Thai curry and didn’t have an ultimate game, man of the match goes to Matt.
Bison Cup CSSC 0 - 1 Azzurri
CSSC's run through the first three rounds of the Bison cup owed no small amount to good fortune. Mathematically improbable draws against lower division opponents eased CSSC through two rounds. A back to the wall shootout victory against a squad one division higher saw CSSC through the other. In the fourth round CSSC was again the recipient of a kind draw, having been pulled out of the pot alongside an Azzurri squad from a division below at the star studded, red carpet MSSL ceremony in the exclusive confines of the Elephant and Castle. CSSC can't say this often, but they may have even been favored.
Azzurri set out its stall early. A cagey veteran defense camped out in front of its own box and looked to release its two fast and dangerous strikers. Careful observers of CSSC cup action will notice the similarity with the match against The Gunners. The easy solution to the defensive wall is an early goal that forces the opposition to come out of its shell in search of an equalizer but CSSC could not deliver despite dominating possession. To make matters worse, starting strikers Wazoo Wazny and Eli Robinson went down early in the half with lower body muscle strains. Questions will be asked of the CSSC medical department, especially when the diagnoses came back as "too much cycling for one and too much ultimate for the other". Van Penner was switched to the front and intimidating target man Charaoui thrown off the bench. Penner immediately looked dangerous, creating some very good opportunities, including an acrobatic hooked back heel that clanged off the corner of cross and bar. A scoreless draw at the half was doing nothing to convince Azzurri that they had their tactics wrong.
Then disaster. CSSC were still figuring out where its two second half subs were supposed to be playing when an Azzurri midfielder popped a lovely ball over the top of the CSSC back line and their pacey striker beat Mac to the ball and lobbed it into the back of the net. Perhaps not up there with the very best ever goals scored by the Azzurri, but close. Now Azzurri had something to defend. And defend they did. CSSC had all the play and pushed increasingly desperately for an equalizer. Dylan Doerksen picked out Hudson at the far post but his one time volley was driven over the bar with the assistance of a Azzurri knee to the kidney. Then Hudson was felled in the box dribbling between two defenders but the ref was uninterested despite correctly acknowledging that neither defender got a touch on the ball. Finally, Penner headed a deep cross back across goal to a waiting Matt Loxley but, off balance, he turned it over the bar from close range. And that was it. That's the danger of being defensively strong but offensively anemic. You may be in every game, but so too is the other team.
Man of the Match: In a match CSSC probably should have won, no outfield player that contributed to a frustrating offensive display should get the nod. The five sub outside of half time rule created such confusion among the CSSC side line crew that only one wise head could be trusted with the sub cards. He not only took on the responsibility but made what may be CSSC's only on the fly tactical change in club history by throwing caution to the late game wind, rejigging the formation in a much needed attempt to create the tying goal. Step forward John Loxley.
CSSC's run through the first three rounds of the Bison cup owed no small amount to good fortune. Mathematically improbable draws against lower division opponents eased CSSC through two rounds. A back to the wall shootout victory against a squad one division higher saw CSSC through the other. In the fourth round CSSC was again the recipient of a kind draw, having been pulled out of the pot alongside an Azzurri squad from a division below at the star studded, red carpet MSSL ceremony in the exclusive confines of the Elephant and Castle. CSSC can't say this often, but they may have even been favored.
Azzurri set out its stall early. A cagey veteran defense camped out in front of its own box and looked to release its two fast and dangerous strikers. Careful observers of CSSC cup action will notice the similarity with the match against The Gunners. The easy solution to the defensive wall is an early goal that forces the opposition to come out of its shell in search of an equalizer but CSSC could not deliver despite dominating possession. To make matters worse, starting strikers Wazoo Wazny and Eli Robinson went down early in the half with lower body muscle strains. Questions will be asked of the CSSC medical department, especially when the diagnoses came back as "too much cycling for one and too much ultimate for the other". Van Penner was switched to the front and intimidating target man Charaoui thrown off the bench. Penner immediately looked dangerous, creating some very good opportunities, including an acrobatic hooked back heel that clanged off the corner of cross and bar. A scoreless draw at the half was doing nothing to convince Azzurri that they had their tactics wrong.
Then disaster. CSSC were still figuring out where its two second half subs were supposed to be playing when an Azzurri midfielder popped a lovely ball over the top of the CSSC back line and their pacey striker beat Mac to the ball and lobbed it into the back of the net. Perhaps not up there with the very best ever goals scored by the Azzurri, but close. Now Azzurri had something to defend. And defend they did. CSSC had all the play and pushed increasingly desperately for an equalizer. Dylan Doerksen picked out Hudson at the far post but his one time volley was driven over the bar with the assistance of a Azzurri knee to the kidney. Then Hudson was felled in the box dribbling between two defenders but the ref was uninterested despite correctly acknowledging that neither defender got a touch on the ball. Finally, Penner headed a deep cross back across goal to a waiting Matt Loxley but, off balance, he turned it over the bar from close range. And that was it. That's the danger of being defensively strong but offensively anemic. You may be in every game, but so too is the other team.
Man of the Match: In a match CSSC probably should have won, no outfield player that contributed to a frustrating offensive display should get the nod. The five sub outside of half time rule created such confusion among the CSSC side line crew that only one wise head could be trusted with the sub cards. He not only took on the responsibility but made what may be CSSC's only on the fly tactical change in club history by throwing caution to the late game wind, rejigging the formation in a much needed attempt to create the tying goal. Step forward John Loxley.
CSSC 1 - 1 St James
Could CSSC bounce back after the rudderless disaster that was the 5-0 drubbing against Southside the previous week? The good news was that midfield ship steadier Colin Kinsella returned from a week of paddling and concert going at the folksy Moose and Fiddle festival. The bad news is that the first through third choice keepers were all away forcing Ian Hudson to start between the sticks.
The early going was all CSSC with new signing Todd Chernomas pulling the strings in midfield. Management promised a big money signing to aid in the late season push up the table and, for once, it appears as though this was a promise kept. After a few long range testers flew just over the bar, Chernomas was sent sprinting through the middle only to roll the ball against the post with only the keeper to beat. Comedy finishing ensued with Charaoui poking the rebound into the tummy of a defender lying on the goal line and when the ball rolled out again to Chernomas he opted for pure power and blazed over the bar. Chernomas soon made amends when he ended a dribble across the top of the box with a low drive into the near corner past the despairing dive of the St James keeper. As is so often the case, the goal signaled a momentum switch. All of a sudden St. James were looking dangerous and were getting space at the the top of the box to try a few sighters but fortunately for CSSC none of them were of the quality to trouble the stand in keeper. That is until St James worked a lovely give and go at the top of the box that put a striker clear in on goal. Hudson got a hand to the low shot to the far post but only succeeded in pushing it out to their lively little midfielder who drove it into the unguarded net. All even at the half.
Matt Brett replaced Hudson in goal at the half and was immediately called into frantic action as St James pinned back a feeble CSSC. His most heroic moment came when St James steamed down the CSSC left flank and a lovely floated cross was met with a point blank, uncontested header only to be denied by Brett's post to post positioning. As the half wore on, and a few St James' linchpins fell to injury CSSC started to dominate the game. Van Penner lofted a delightful through ball to that man Chernomas running free, but again, he could only clank one off the post and somehow couldn't manage to put away the rebound. Then Chernomas turned provider, springing Devin Doerksen with a lovely diagonal ball behind the defense, but Doerksen's well placed shot trickled agonizingly wide of the post after the St. James keeper did well to get a hand to it. CSSC was growing into the game to such an extent that the zero minutes of injury time allowed by the referee was greeted with outrage rather than relief.
Man of the Match: That's a tough one. Chernomas went through a repitoire of misses that was shocking in its quantity and quality. However, he was also clearly the best player in green (or St James blue for that matter). So new man Chernomas it is. Let's hope he realizes that when there are keepers in the net, we're not playing posts.
Could CSSC bounce back after the rudderless disaster that was the 5-0 drubbing against Southside the previous week? The good news was that midfield ship steadier Colin Kinsella returned from a week of paddling and concert going at the folksy Moose and Fiddle festival. The bad news is that the first through third choice keepers were all away forcing Ian Hudson to start between the sticks.
The early going was all CSSC with new signing Todd Chernomas pulling the strings in midfield. Management promised a big money signing to aid in the late season push up the table and, for once, it appears as though this was a promise kept. After a few long range testers flew just over the bar, Chernomas was sent sprinting through the middle only to roll the ball against the post with only the keeper to beat. Comedy finishing ensued with Charaoui poking the rebound into the tummy of a defender lying on the goal line and when the ball rolled out again to Chernomas he opted for pure power and blazed over the bar. Chernomas soon made amends when he ended a dribble across the top of the box with a low drive into the near corner past the despairing dive of the St James keeper. As is so often the case, the goal signaled a momentum switch. All of a sudden St. James were looking dangerous and were getting space at the the top of the box to try a few sighters but fortunately for CSSC none of them were of the quality to trouble the stand in keeper. That is until St James worked a lovely give and go at the top of the box that put a striker clear in on goal. Hudson got a hand to the low shot to the far post but only succeeded in pushing it out to their lively little midfielder who drove it into the unguarded net. All even at the half.
Matt Brett replaced Hudson in goal at the half and was immediately called into frantic action as St James pinned back a feeble CSSC. His most heroic moment came when St James steamed down the CSSC left flank and a lovely floated cross was met with a point blank, uncontested header only to be denied by Brett's post to post positioning. As the half wore on, and a few St James' linchpins fell to injury CSSC started to dominate the game. Van Penner lofted a delightful through ball to that man Chernomas running free, but again, he could only clank one off the post and somehow couldn't manage to put away the rebound. Then Chernomas turned provider, springing Devin Doerksen with a lovely diagonal ball behind the defense, but Doerksen's well placed shot trickled agonizingly wide of the post after the St. James keeper did well to get a hand to it. CSSC was growing into the game to such an extent that the zero minutes of injury time allowed by the referee was greeted with outrage rather than relief.
Man of the Match: That's a tough one. Chernomas went through a repitoire of misses that was shocking in its quantity and quality. However, he was also clearly the best player in green (or St James blue for that matter). So new man Chernomas it is. Let's hope he realizes that when there are keepers in the net, we're not playing posts.
Southside SpVgg 5 - 0 CSSC
This was a game to forget.
Man of the Match: CSSC legend Pete Hudson stayed to watch the whole debacle and still managed to stay positive after the final whistle.
This was a game to forget.
Man of the Match: CSSC legend Pete Hudson stayed to watch the whole debacle and still managed to stay positive after the final whistle.
CSSC 3 - 2 Les Bleus
French literary luminaries Marcel Proust, Voltaire, Simone de Beauvoir, not even Thierry Henry himself could have written the proceedings of Crescentwood vs. Les Bleus. It was a scorching Saturday noon game against the division’s only Francophone-majority team, and Crescentwood’s defensive line was looking thin minutes prior to the opening whistle. Greg Hodges arrived moments before the opening whistle to bolster Crescentwood’s defensive line, with Van Penner and Colin Kinsella dropping from the midfield to defensive roles as well.
This was just as well because Les Bleus opened with successive waves of attack that would have military tactician Napoleon waving his kerchief in approval. Under the guidance of their vocal manager, Les Bleus successfully dominated possession in Crescentwood’s half by using the full width of the field and passing elegantly from one side to the other, waiting for an opening for a bursting run down the centre or playing in some dangerous crosses from the wings. As is often the case, Mckenzie’s supurb goaltending skills and quick reflexes were all that was keeping Crescentwood in the game for a time – the Carey Price of Cresentwood. Cresentwood was penned in and on the defensive for nearly 20 minutes, finding relief only in the referee’s whistle for a water break. Les Bleus would have been justified in singing the chorus of “La Marseillaise” (best national anthem ever!)
“Frenchmen, as magnanimous warriors,
Bear or hold back your blows!
Spare those sorry victims,
Who arm against us with regret.” (repeat)
It was Charaf Charaoui who silenced the French. In a rare incursion into Les Bleus territory, Crescentwood fired a long ball toward goal from outside of the box. The goalie fumbled with what should have been an easy ball to collect, and Charaf was well-positioned to stab the errant ball home with a fatal blow. Tides began to turn. Crescentwood increased our share of possession and made more incursions into Les Bleus’ territory thanks to masterful control and passing from Chernomas, and strong runs from Jude down the left flank. The Republic was looking shaky. Crescentwood looked increasingly confident in the second half. In a textbook play, Chernomas sent a beautiful free-kick across the field to the far post, where full-back Greg Hodges had made a perfectly timed run to deliver the ball into the back of the net with a solid header. Les Blues certainly had their opportunities but, between their own missteps and the solid goaltending, were unable to capitalize. A third Crescentwood goal all-but sealed Les Bleus’ fate. On yet another Chernomas cross from the right-wing, Jude put the ball away with a header. 3-0 to Crescentwood with no more than 10 minutes on the clock.
Not content with clean endings, Crescentwood decided to let two successive goals in. The first occurred from a common Crescentwood error – namely, clearing the ball out of the box then failing to close down on it. Les Blues capitalized on the space provided with a powerful shot from outside the box that skidded along the ground, through the throng of legs in the box, and into the back of the net. For the second goal, poor last-man-back Van Penner hung his head after a failed clearance gave a Les Blues attacker a clear run at the net, which he struck with precession. 3-2. Crescentwood had all but fallen apart with minutes left on the clock against an emboldened and rallying Les Blues. “Allons-y, les gars!” shouted their spritely #6 as the opponents unleashed their final blitz. Visiting manager Dave Fernandez signaled to the staggering Crescentwood side that only two minutes remained. All we had to do was hang on. By the skin of our teeth, we did.
Man of the Match: Post-match analysis at the Grove patio made for a difficult decision: Should it be Greg Hodges, with his solid defensive work, a solid goal and his attacking forays? How about Chernomas with brilliant possession and passing in the midfield, along with two assists? Jude also played brilliantly with solid control and attacks down the left flank. But this long-overdue award goes to Mackenzie, who kept a clean sheet with some assertive and occasionally spectacular saves.
French literary luminaries Marcel Proust, Voltaire, Simone de Beauvoir, not even Thierry Henry himself could have written the proceedings of Crescentwood vs. Les Bleus. It was a scorching Saturday noon game against the division’s only Francophone-majority team, and Crescentwood’s defensive line was looking thin minutes prior to the opening whistle. Greg Hodges arrived moments before the opening whistle to bolster Crescentwood’s defensive line, with Van Penner and Colin Kinsella dropping from the midfield to defensive roles as well.
This was just as well because Les Bleus opened with successive waves of attack that would have military tactician Napoleon waving his kerchief in approval. Under the guidance of their vocal manager, Les Bleus successfully dominated possession in Crescentwood’s half by using the full width of the field and passing elegantly from one side to the other, waiting for an opening for a bursting run down the centre or playing in some dangerous crosses from the wings. As is often the case, Mckenzie’s supurb goaltending skills and quick reflexes were all that was keeping Crescentwood in the game for a time – the Carey Price of Cresentwood. Cresentwood was penned in and on the defensive for nearly 20 minutes, finding relief only in the referee’s whistle for a water break. Les Bleus would have been justified in singing the chorus of “La Marseillaise” (best national anthem ever!)
“Frenchmen, as magnanimous warriors,
Bear or hold back your blows!
Spare those sorry victims,
Who arm against us with regret.” (repeat)
It was Charaf Charaoui who silenced the French. In a rare incursion into Les Bleus territory, Crescentwood fired a long ball toward goal from outside of the box. The goalie fumbled with what should have been an easy ball to collect, and Charaf was well-positioned to stab the errant ball home with a fatal blow. Tides began to turn. Crescentwood increased our share of possession and made more incursions into Les Bleus’ territory thanks to masterful control and passing from Chernomas, and strong runs from Jude down the left flank. The Republic was looking shaky. Crescentwood looked increasingly confident in the second half. In a textbook play, Chernomas sent a beautiful free-kick across the field to the far post, where full-back Greg Hodges had made a perfectly timed run to deliver the ball into the back of the net with a solid header. Les Blues certainly had their opportunities but, between their own missteps and the solid goaltending, were unable to capitalize. A third Crescentwood goal all-but sealed Les Bleus’ fate. On yet another Chernomas cross from the right-wing, Jude put the ball away with a header. 3-0 to Crescentwood with no more than 10 minutes on the clock.
Not content with clean endings, Crescentwood decided to let two successive goals in. The first occurred from a common Crescentwood error – namely, clearing the ball out of the box then failing to close down on it. Les Blues capitalized on the space provided with a powerful shot from outside the box that skidded along the ground, through the throng of legs in the box, and into the back of the net. For the second goal, poor last-man-back Van Penner hung his head after a failed clearance gave a Les Blues attacker a clear run at the net, which he struck with precession. 3-2. Crescentwood had all but fallen apart with minutes left on the clock against an emboldened and rallying Les Blues. “Allons-y, les gars!” shouted their spritely #6 as the opponents unleashed their final blitz. Visiting manager Dave Fernandez signaled to the staggering Crescentwood side that only two minutes remained. All we had to do was hang on. By the skin of our teeth, we did.
Man of the Match: Post-match analysis at the Grove patio made for a difficult decision: Should it be Greg Hodges, with his solid defensive work, a solid goal and his attacking forays? How about Chernomas with brilliant possession and passing in the midfield, along with two assists? Jude also played brilliantly with solid control and attacks down the left flank. But this long-overdue award goes to Mackenzie, who kept a clean sheet with some assertive and occasionally spectacular saves.
CSSC 0 - 3 Portage
CSSC had to pull out all the stops to field anything like a full line up against top of the table Portage Cobras. A combination of weekend vacationing, work schedules and injuries left CSSC barely able to scrape together 12 players despite the super star return of Greg Hodges and the recall of tricky striker Greg Chernomas from his on loan stint in Toronto. If only more CSSC players had the dedication of K. Chioua who turned up to the game even though he was due to star in a big fringe production later that evening. Like Brett Favre, Pele, Shaq and Jordan, he's an acting - athlete double threat. To make matters worse for CSSC's depleted line up, the sun was absolutely scorching off the rubber pellets of the turf field for a 4:00 kick off and Portage had a solid five subs on the bench.
In the previous games, CSSC managed to scrape out victories despite not playing particularly well. In the first 15 minutes of this contest the opposite was very much true. CSSC started out looking strong enough. Passes were being strung together through the midfield. Good use was being made of the wide positions and the ball was being swung back and forth across the back four with confidence. Then, a deep CSSC turnover created a fast break for Portage. CSSC appeared to have enough defenders back but Stef's decision to play with a shockingly colored pirate's bandana in order to ward off the sun was so distracting that no one could get a clearing boot to the ball and it fell to a Portage striker who finished low inside the right post. After the restart it was more of the same. CSSC looked good and then conceded unnecessarily - this time from an admittedly dangerous cross, but the CSSC defenders were AWOL at the back post, giving the Portage midfielder the opportunity to shin in a second.
The second half featured an increasingly exhausted CSSC attempting to claw their way back into the game against a much fresher Portage side with the luxury of a bench creaking under the weight of their numerous subs. Alas, it was not to be. Neither team really managed any real scoring chances until the ref decided to put an end to the game as even a theoretical contest late on by calling a penalty against Dorbolo for what appeared to be getting up off the deck after a blatant foul and then winning a header. The remaining ten minutes of the game were more or less a concerted effort by all the players to avoid heat stroke. To put an exclamation point on a bit of an endurance test of an afternoon, Chernomas, and all his offensive potential, pulled a hamstring in his first game.
Man of the Match: Matt Loxley and Dorbolo managed to gut out the whole match and never stopped running. Hodges stood tall at center back. However, in a bit of a disappointing result the only real heroes were waste management super stars Jen and Rick who showed up at half time with a gigantic bag full of freezies, overlooking the shocking amount of plastic packaging involved. Now that's thoughtful.
CSSC had to pull out all the stops to field anything like a full line up against top of the table Portage Cobras. A combination of weekend vacationing, work schedules and injuries left CSSC barely able to scrape together 12 players despite the super star return of Greg Hodges and the recall of tricky striker Greg Chernomas from his on loan stint in Toronto. If only more CSSC players had the dedication of K. Chioua who turned up to the game even though he was due to star in a big fringe production later that evening. Like Brett Favre, Pele, Shaq and Jordan, he's an acting - athlete double threat. To make matters worse for CSSC's depleted line up, the sun was absolutely scorching off the rubber pellets of the turf field for a 4:00 kick off and Portage had a solid five subs on the bench.
In the previous games, CSSC managed to scrape out victories despite not playing particularly well. In the first 15 minutes of this contest the opposite was very much true. CSSC started out looking strong enough. Passes were being strung together through the midfield. Good use was being made of the wide positions and the ball was being swung back and forth across the back four with confidence. Then, a deep CSSC turnover created a fast break for Portage. CSSC appeared to have enough defenders back but Stef's decision to play with a shockingly colored pirate's bandana in order to ward off the sun was so distracting that no one could get a clearing boot to the ball and it fell to a Portage striker who finished low inside the right post. After the restart it was more of the same. CSSC looked good and then conceded unnecessarily - this time from an admittedly dangerous cross, but the CSSC defenders were AWOL at the back post, giving the Portage midfielder the opportunity to shin in a second.
The second half featured an increasingly exhausted CSSC attempting to claw their way back into the game against a much fresher Portage side with the luxury of a bench creaking under the weight of their numerous subs. Alas, it was not to be. Neither team really managed any real scoring chances until the ref decided to put an end to the game as even a theoretical contest late on by calling a penalty against Dorbolo for what appeared to be getting up off the deck after a blatant foul and then winning a header. The remaining ten minutes of the game were more or less a concerted effort by all the players to avoid heat stroke. To put an exclamation point on a bit of an endurance test of an afternoon, Chernomas, and all his offensive potential, pulled a hamstring in his first game.
Man of the Match: Matt Loxley and Dorbolo managed to gut out the whole match and never stopped running. Hodges stood tall at center back. However, in a bit of a disappointing result the only real heroes were waste management super stars Jen and Rick who showed up at half time with a gigantic bag full of freezies, overlooking the shocking amount of plastic packaging involved. Now that's thoughtful.
BISON CUP CSSC 3 - 1 The Gunners
Two. It's not a very large number. In most cases two makes almost no difference at all. However, thanks to the last minute dedication of Kamal Chioua and Devin Doerksen's hustling to the game after a hard day's work, CSSC had 12 players to the Gunners' ten. The fact that the game was played at all was something of a surprise. The afternoon deluge an hour before kick off seemed to have frightened off the four teams that were supposed to be playing at the other fields, leaving the CSSC match taking place in splendid isolation in front a few, very brave fans huddled under their umbrellas.
Predictably, against 10 men, CSSC had a great deal of the ball and could have settled the nerves early when Kamal was sent in clear but his toe poked drive was tipped over the bar by what turned out to be a deceptively agile Gunners keeper. There was a great deal of probing but also a great deal of wayward shooting before CSSC cashed in on a deep thrown in. Stef tossed a dart at Eli's melon, and his cushioned back header found Ian Hudson loose inside the box who made no mistake with a well placed shot in off the near post. Any team with 10 men has to rely on a bit of luck and some stellar keeping and the Gunners were getting both. When Dylan Doesksen went on another of his mazy dribbles, his low drive was blocked by the well positioned keeper who also manged to recover in time to dive low to his left to tip Hudson's volleyed rebound around the post. It wasn't his only save of the half, to put it mildly, but CSSC probably should have been further ahead. Then just before half, Dorbolo went steaming down the left and delivered a low cross that appeared to be headed into the keepers big waiting mitts until Kamal darted in front of him and Ibrahimoviced the ball past the keeper and along the goal line where Eli gratefully tapped it in.
It was more the same in the second half. The Gunners were doing a reasonable job of defending deep and absorbing the CSSC pressure. They also had a two person striking combination consisting of a fast, rangy danger man and a slightly stocky hold up player that created some real menace on the break. It was those two who made the game interesting, but in a bad way from CSSC's perspective. On a typically two person break, Mr. Stocky made ground on the right, and with the CSSC defenders standing off him, drove a low cross that was turned in at the far post by Mr. Speedy who had outpaced the CSSC back line. However, veteran Kinsella settled the contest when a partially cleared corner fell to him at the top of the box and his low shot was deflected past the keeper by an unfortunate defender. There was still time at the end for Hudson to step up to one of the very few free kicks called CSSC's way and ping a curler off the fat part of the post from 20 yards. Verdict: not entirely convincing but enough to advance.
Man of the Match: A true fan of fair play would probably give it to the 10 man Gunners squad who put in an honest shift, especially their standout keeper, but they can nominate their own MotM. For CSSC Dorbolo put in another lock down performance against quality opposition. He's CSSC's version of Richard Sherman. Hudson had a well taken goal and proved he can deliver a nice pass when given the time, but the award goes to Kinsella who played a tidy game at center back and even notched a goal. His reward is a quick sample of a show that has everything he enjoys: small towns, hockey and farts. "I'd be interested in that" said Kinsella.
Two. It's not a very large number. In most cases two makes almost no difference at all. However, thanks to the last minute dedication of Kamal Chioua and Devin Doerksen's hustling to the game after a hard day's work, CSSC had 12 players to the Gunners' ten. The fact that the game was played at all was something of a surprise. The afternoon deluge an hour before kick off seemed to have frightened off the four teams that were supposed to be playing at the other fields, leaving the CSSC match taking place in splendid isolation in front a few, very brave fans huddled under their umbrellas.
Predictably, against 10 men, CSSC had a great deal of the ball and could have settled the nerves early when Kamal was sent in clear but his toe poked drive was tipped over the bar by what turned out to be a deceptively agile Gunners keeper. There was a great deal of probing but also a great deal of wayward shooting before CSSC cashed in on a deep thrown in. Stef tossed a dart at Eli's melon, and his cushioned back header found Ian Hudson loose inside the box who made no mistake with a well placed shot in off the near post. Any team with 10 men has to rely on a bit of luck and some stellar keeping and the Gunners were getting both. When Dylan Doesksen went on another of his mazy dribbles, his low drive was blocked by the well positioned keeper who also manged to recover in time to dive low to his left to tip Hudson's volleyed rebound around the post. It wasn't his only save of the half, to put it mildly, but CSSC probably should have been further ahead. Then just before half, Dorbolo went steaming down the left and delivered a low cross that appeared to be headed into the keepers big waiting mitts until Kamal darted in front of him and Ibrahimoviced the ball past the keeper and along the goal line where Eli gratefully tapped it in.
It was more the same in the second half. The Gunners were doing a reasonable job of defending deep and absorbing the CSSC pressure. They also had a two person striking combination consisting of a fast, rangy danger man and a slightly stocky hold up player that created some real menace on the break. It was those two who made the game interesting, but in a bad way from CSSC's perspective. On a typically two person break, Mr. Stocky made ground on the right, and with the CSSC defenders standing off him, drove a low cross that was turned in at the far post by Mr. Speedy who had outpaced the CSSC back line. However, veteran Kinsella settled the contest when a partially cleared corner fell to him at the top of the box and his low shot was deflected past the keeper by an unfortunate defender. There was still time at the end for Hudson to step up to one of the very few free kicks called CSSC's way and ping a curler off the fat part of the post from 20 yards. Verdict: not entirely convincing but enough to advance.
Man of the Match: A true fan of fair play would probably give it to the 10 man Gunners squad who put in an honest shift, especially their standout keeper, but they can nominate their own MotM. For CSSC Dorbolo put in another lock down performance against quality opposition. He's CSSC's version of Richard Sherman. Hudson had a well taken goal and proved he can deliver a nice pass when given the time, but the award goes to Kinsella who played a tidy game at center back and even notched a goal. His reward is a quick sample of a show that has everything he enjoys: small towns, hockey and farts. "I'd be interested in that" said Kinsella.
CSSC 2 - 1 Polonia
CSSC has been rocketing up the table thanks to a string of fairly unconvincing wins. With a slightly shorthanded line up CSSC put its modest winning streak on the line against Polonia, who doled out a 3-1 beating early on in the season. Both teams were nervously counting their numbers as kick off approached but CSSC managed to produce a healthy 3 subs to Polonia's meager 1.
It was a half of two halves. The first 25 minutes or so CSSC looked like world beaters. The ball was pinged around the midfield with accuracy and speed. The forwards were making dashing inroads behind the Polonia defense. It all made for very attractive viewing for injured CSSC dynamo and coach for the day Mark Hudson. The lovely play was capped off by a suitably attractive goal when Dylan Doerksen uncorked what is rapidly becoming his trademark long range rocket into the top corner. CSSC almost made it two when a loose ball bouncing around the Polonia box fell to Hudson's favored left foot his near post volley has excellently parried by the Polonia keeper. Then it all fell apart. Inexplicably, CSSC started sitting back, misplaying passes out of the back and in general being second best to every ball. They were punished when a partially cleared cross was turned back in and number 6 powered a strong, but unmarked, header past the dive of Mac in the CSSC goal. Things were looking so dismal that Bob Walden on the CSSC bench prayed, "we just need to get out of this half." But then, out of nowhere, Fischer picked up the ball about center and, predictably, seeing no movement in front of him from either team, he heard Nietzsche, and his glorious mustache, whispering, "happiness is a straight line, a goal" and off he went sprinting 20 yards and unleashing an unstoppable 25 rocket into the top corner. Well, that showed Walden. It's also the only time you should ever pay any attention to anything written by Nietzche. He's a dangerous fellow.
The second half was not without incident despite the lack of scoring. Polonia had a number of good chances, carved out of open play from their dangerous number 21 striker or using their beefy size advantage from set pieces. CSSC probably should have done more against a tiring Polonia side that was down to 10 men for the last portion of the game due to a string of injuries. The best chance of the half fell to Polonia late on when speedy two one rampaged into the CSSC box but his low cross flew just past the outstretched cleat of his team mate about a yard from goal. The merest touch would have tied the game up. The only other feature of a slightly fractious second half was Polonia's attempts to even up the game courtesy of increasingly juvenile attempts to get CSSC players sent off, the most outrageous of which involved yelling at the ref that CSSC had been making illegal substitutions and playing with too many players on the field. We're adults people.
Man of the Match: Van Penner was an absolute rock at the back and Dylan scored a cracker, but Stef scored a cracker and was a rock at the back. You've got to play a real standout to win MotM two games running. Congratulations Mr. Fischer.
CSSC has been rocketing up the table thanks to a string of fairly unconvincing wins. With a slightly shorthanded line up CSSC put its modest winning streak on the line against Polonia, who doled out a 3-1 beating early on in the season. Both teams were nervously counting their numbers as kick off approached but CSSC managed to produce a healthy 3 subs to Polonia's meager 1.
It was a half of two halves. The first 25 minutes or so CSSC looked like world beaters. The ball was pinged around the midfield with accuracy and speed. The forwards were making dashing inroads behind the Polonia defense. It all made for very attractive viewing for injured CSSC dynamo and coach for the day Mark Hudson. The lovely play was capped off by a suitably attractive goal when Dylan Doerksen uncorked what is rapidly becoming his trademark long range rocket into the top corner. CSSC almost made it two when a loose ball bouncing around the Polonia box fell to Hudson's favored left foot his near post volley has excellently parried by the Polonia keeper. Then it all fell apart. Inexplicably, CSSC started sitting back, misplaying passes out of the back and in general being second best to every ball. They were punished when a partially cleared cross was turned back in and number 6 powered a strong, but unmarked, header past the dive of Mac in the CSSC goal. Things were looking so dismal that Bob Walden on the CSSC bench prayed, "we just need to get out of this half." But then, out of nowhere, Fischer picked up the ball about center and, predictably, seeing no movement in front of him from either team, he heard Nietzsche, and his glorious mustache, whispering, "happiness is a straight line, a goal" and off he went sprinting 20 yards and unleashing an unstoppable 25 rocket into the top corner. Well, that showed Walden. It's also the only time you should ever pay any attention to anything written by Nietzche. He's a dangerous fellow.
The second half was not without incident despite the lack of scoring. Polonia had a number of good chances, carved out of open play from their dangerous number 21 striker or using their beefy size advantage from set pieces. CSSC probably should have done more against a tiring Polonia side that was down to 10 men for the last portion of the game due to a string of injuries. The best chance of the half fell to Polonia late on when speedy two one rampaged into the CSSC box but his low cross flew just past the outstretched cleat of his team mate about a yard from goal. The merest touch would have tied the game up. The only other feature of a slightly fractious second half was Polonia's attempts to even up the game courtesy of increasingly juvenile attempts to get CSSC players sent off, the most outrageous of which involved yelling at the ref that CSSC had been making illegal substitutions and playing with too many players on the field. We're adults people.
Man of the Match: Van Penner was an absolute rock at the back and Dylan scored a cracker, but Stef scored a cracker and was a rock at the back. You've got to play a real standout to win MotM two games running. Congratulations Mr. Fischer.
Grunthal 0 - 1 CSSC
After a big shut out versus higher division opponents, CSSC was attempting to maintain its defensive solidity with a much changed defensive back four. The absence of Sean Brown and Greg Hodges meant that Bob Walden and Devin Dorbolo walked into the starting line up to hold the line against high flying, hard running Grunthal. On the plus side, all 15 CSSC players who promised to show managed to use their GPS system to good effect and arrive well in time for the kick off despite the 75 minute drive.
CSSC started well. Few clear cut chances were created but there was a great deal of possession deep in the Grunthal end and some nice passing moves. Unfortunately, despite getting the ball into the Grunthal box on a number of times, it failed to fall to a CSSC foot. Grunthal opted for an effectively direct approach, relying on getting the ball forward early and relying on their speedy forwards to pressure the defense into errors. They also weren't afraid of a long range pop at goal, one of which clanged off the CSSC crossbar for the best chance of the half. Not really much for the packed home stands to get worked up about one way or another.
The second half saw considerably more incident. Grunthal continued their direct pay to good effect. Balls were pumped forward early and often, forcing CSSC's back four into frequent all hands on deck action. About 60 minutes in, folk festival afficianado Niall Harney was sent sprinting down the left flank and his low driven cross intended for Van Penner was turned in at the near post past a despairing keeper by the unfortunate toe of a covering defender. Luck favors the brave, someone once said. It's probably wrong. Grunthal pushed strongly for an equalizer but cross after cross was turned aside and on those rare occasions when the CSSC back line gave way Mac Andries managed to squint through the blinding sun to make the big save. The best two late chances probably fell to Dylan Doerksen. First, he picked off an errant pass across the Grunthal back four and went racing clear but his low left footed drive skidded just past the post. Then, he send in behind the Grunthal line by a Hudson pass, but his tight angle shot was thwarted by the foot of the Grunthal keeper. There were scares a plenty and CSSC didn't exactly serve up a feast of passing football, but a win's a win. Unless you're Stef. "That wasn't a great game," claimed the lover of playing the right way. CSSC's dogged defending was epitomized when Wazoo tracked back from his striker position to dispossess the bald Grunthal center back only to be rewarded with a nasty retaliatory reducer that left him limping badly and swearing loudly - the latter much to the tutting displeasure of the Ned Flanderses in the Grunthal bleachers.
Man of the Match: On the way into town, CSSC stopped at the suburban oasis of Sage Creek to enjoy a much hated parking lot bar beverage. Amidst the sad news that we couldn't get new jerseys in the color we wanted, the discussion turned to the best player on the night. The entire back line of Johnson, Sewart, Dorbolo, Fischer and Walden turned in a fantastic shift all night. However, we have to pick one, so we'll go for the timeless Stef Fischer. CSSC's best all time defender.
After a big shut out versus higher division opponents, CSSC was attempting to maintain its defensive solidity with a much changed defensive back four. The absence of Sean Brown and Greg Hodges meant that Bob Walden and Devin Dorbolo walked into the starting line up to hold the line against high flying, hard running Grunthal. On the plus side, all 15 CSSC players who promised to show managed to use their GPS system to good effect and arrive well in time for the kick off despite the 75 minute drive.
CSSC started well. Few clear cut chances were created but there was a great deal of possession deep in the Grunthal end and some nice passing moves. Unfortunately, despite getting the ball into the Grunthal box on a number of times, it failed to fall to a CSSC foot. Grunthal opted for an effectively direct approach, relying on getting the ball forward early and relying on their speedy forwards to pressure the defense into errors. They also weren't afraid of a long range pop at goal, one of which clanged off the CSSC crossbar for the best chance of the half. Not really much for the packed home stands to get worked up about one way or another.
The second half saw considerably more incident. Grunthal continued their direct pay to good effect. Balls were pumped forward early and often, forcing CSSC's back four into frequent all hands on deck action. About 60 minutes in, folk festival afficianado Niall Harney was sent sprinting down the left flank and his low driven cross intended for Van Penner was turned in at the near post past a despairing keeper by the unfortunate toe of a covering defender. Luck favors the brave, someone once said. It's probably wrong. Grunthal pushed strongly for an equalizer but cross after cross was turned aside and on those rare occasions when the CSSC back line gave way Mac Andries managed to squint through the blinding sun to make the big save. The best two late chances probably fell to Dylan Doerksen. First, he picked off an errant pass across the Grunthal back four and went racing clear but his low left footed drive skidded just past the post. Then, he send in behind the Grunthal line by a Hudson pass, but his tight angle shot was thwarted by the foot of the Grunthal keeper. There were scares a plenty and CSSC didn't exactly serve up a feast of passing football, but a win's a win. Unless you're Stef. "That wasn't a great game," claimed the lover of playing the right way. CSSC's dogged defending was epitomized when Wazoo tracked back from his striker position to dispossess the bald Grunthal center back only to be rewarded with a nasty retaliatory reducer that left him limping badly and swearing loudly - the latter much to the tutting displeasure of the Ned Flanderses in the Grunthal bleachers.
Man of the Match: On the way into town, CSSC stopped at the suburban oasis of Sage Creek to enjoy a much hated parking lot bar beverage. Amidst the sad news that we couldn't get new jerseys in the color we wanted, the discussion turned to the best player on the night. The entire back line of Johnson, Sewart, Dorbolo, Fischer and Walden turned in a fantastic shift all night. However, we have to pick one, so we'll go for the timeless Stef Fischer. CSSC's best all time defender.
BISON CUP Elmwood 0 - 0 CSSC, CSSC wins 4-2 on penalties
In Manitoba's version of the FA Cup, CSSC are firmly in the role of Lincoln City style underdog. After successfully moving through a lower division team in the opening round, CSSC faced off against a talented Elmwood squad currently enjoying a tremendous run of form that has installed them as favorites for the 5th division championship On a scorching hot July afternoon, CSSC management had pre game cause for concern as Niall Harney was attending a folk festival bongo workshop, Mac Andries was held up at work and the chauffeur arranged to get Jude DB and Van Penner to the game drove to the wrong field. As a result a slightly improvised starting line up featured veteran Colin Kinsella sliding in at center back and Ian Hudson forced into the starting 11 in his first game back after wrenched knee.
The Vegas line had Elmwood as favorites and they certainly controlled the ball and made several early forays deep into the CSSC half. However, despite some dangerous crosses, CSSC looked to be holding on fairly comfortably until a short goal kick was won by the Elmwood center midfield and lobbed over the top of the CSSC back line. Speedy two five from Elmwood latched on to the through ball and his one time volley struck Tyler Johnson's unfortunate arm for a penalty. Not really hand to ball, but "seen them given." The penalty was struck hard and low but late arriving Mac dove to his right and clawed it away. Even more impressively, when the rebound was turned back across goal Mac tipped a header destined for the top corner around the post. Almost the best double save ever. Cue much celebrating, fist pumping and jumping up and down from CSSC. Perhaps inspired by Mac, Dylan Doerksen managed to summon up the energy for a six person skinning, coast to coast dribble that took him in cold, but this placement shot into the bottom corner was just turned wide by the longest of the keeper's cleats. After that the heat slowed most of the action to a walking pace.
With second half reinforcements Penner, Sewart, Wazoo and Hodges CSSC came out a bit stronger in the second half. There was no question that Elmwood again controlled play but they were kept to long range efforts thanks to Sean Brown's top notch ordering around of the CSSC back eight. At least that was true until Elmwood again forced a deep turnover that sent two five racing clear. But again that man Mac stood tall, just getting a enough of a finger to the attempted chip to divert it past the post. Despite the looming exhaustion of both teams, there was time for K. Chioua to latch on to a hopeful ball over the top, fight off one defender, cut back past another and toe poke what looked like the game winner toward goal, only for the keeper to stab out a hand and send it over the bar. Off to penalties.
It was pretty simple really. Kamal, Van, Eli and Dylan all slotted home while Mac made one show stopper penalty save and another plunked off the top of the bar. CSSC books its spot in the next round. A huge game for everyone out. The forwards worked tirelessly all game and did a great job holding up the ball, The mid looked after their defensive responsibilities and the defenders were first to every ball into the box.
Man of the Match: CSSC's entire D played a stormer but it's worth singling out Tyler Johnson, who, in his first game back this season,played the whole game when other CSSC players were wilting while tracking every run and winning every tackle. However, no one could deny Mac's performance in goal. A clean sheet and a penalty save in regulation. More heroics in the shootout. With performances like this, sponsors will soon be lining up. Could Mac be sporting this number next game?
In Manitoba's version of the FA Cup, CSSC are firmly in the role of Lincoln City style underdog. After successfully moving through a lower division team in the opening round, CSSC faced off against a talented Elmwood squad currently enjoying a tremendous run of form that has installed them as favorites for the 5th division championship On a scorching hot July afternoon, CSSC management had pre game cause for concern as Niall Harney was attending a folk festival bongo workshop, Mac Andries was held up at work and the chauffeur arranged to get Jude DB and Van Penner to the game drove to the wrong field. As a result a slightly improvised starting line up featured veteran Colin Kinsella sliding in at center back and Ian Hudson forced into the starting 11 in his first game back after wrenched knee.
The Vegas line had Elmwood as favorites and they certainly controlled the ball and made several early forays deep into the CSSC half. However, despite some dangerous crosses, CSSC looked to be holding on fairly comfortably until a short goal kick was won by the Elmwood center midfield and lobbed over the top of the CSSC back line. Speedy two five from Elmwood latched on to the through ball and his one time volley struck Tyler Johnson's unfortunate arm for a penalty. Not really hand to ball, but "seen them given." The penalty was struck hard and low but late arriving Mac dove to his right and clawed it away. Even more impressively, when the rebound was turned back across goal Mac tipped a header destined for the top corner around the post. Almost the best double save ever. Cue much celebrating, fist pumping and jumping up and down from CSSC. Perhaps inspired by Mac, Dylan Doerksen managed to summon up the energy for a six person skinning, coast to coast dribble that took him in cold, but this placement shot into the bottom corner was just turned wide by the longest of the keeper's cleats. After that the heat slowed most of the action to a walking pace.
With second half reinforcements Penner, Sewart, Wazoo and Hodges CSSC came out a bit stronger in the second half. There was no question that Elmwood again controlled play but they were kept to long range efforts thanks to Sean Brown's top notch ordering around of the CSSC back eight. At least that was true until Elmwood again forced a deep turnover that sent two five racing clear. But again that man Mac stood tall, just getting a enough of a finger to the attempted chip to divert it past the post. Despite the looming exhaustion of both teams, there was time for K. Chioua to latch on to a hopeful ball over the top, fight off one defender, cut back past another and toe poke what looked like the game winner toward goal, only for the keeper to stab out a hand and send it over the bar. Off to penalties.
It was pretty simple really. Kamal, Van, Eli and Dylan all slotted home while Mac made one show stopper penalty save and another plunked off the top of the bar. CSSC books its spot in the next round. A huge game for everyone out. The forwards worked tirelessly all game and did a great job holding up the ball, The mid looked after their defensive responsibilities and the defenders were first to every ball into the box.
Man of the Match: CSSC's entire D played a stormer but it's worth singling out Tyler Johnson, who, in his first game back this season,played the whole game when other CSSC players were wilting while tracking every run and winning every tackle. However, no one could deny Mac's performance in goal. A clean sheet and a penalty save in regulation. More heroics in the shootout. With performances like this, sponsors will soon be lining up. Could Mac be sporting this number next game?
CSSC 3 - 0 Landmark
With regular keeper Mac Andries again out of the lineup for a trip to the local soccer shop to purchase a non green jersey, and backup keeper Ali Chioua out putting out another figurative fire in kitchen of Gimli's finest hotel, it was very alarming to see shot stopper of the evening Bob Walden show up at the game without his cleats in his kit bag. For those counting, that makes two players in the last three games with shocking gaps in their pre game packing. Fortunately, injured mid fielder Ian Hudson had packed his size 9s "just in case." You know you're getting on in years when your contribution to the team changes from scoring goals to lending people your boots.
As was the case with the first game in this home and home encounter, CSSC started off on the back foot, although this game, they managed to weather the storm without conceding an early, go behind goal. As the half wore on CSSC actually started to string some lovely passing moves together and the chances started to come. About 20 minutes in a lovely defense splitting ball from the center mid found Eli Robinson making an incisive run across the Landmark back line. Robinson took one touch and blasted what must surely have been a left footed rocket into the back of the net, leaving the Landmark keeper no chance. The second arrived off a free kick, which will come as something of a surprise to CSSC fans. Devin Doerksen has been putting in considerable time on the CSSC training pitch perfecting his free kicks and has not been shy about mentioning his proficiency to the CSSC management team. Both the lobbying and practice paid off when he stepped up to a free kick, just to the left of the Landmark goal about 25 yards out. His bender went over the wall, off the inside of the lbase of the eft hand post, rolled along the goal line, off the base of the right hand post and sat on the goal line for Van Penner to nudge over the line. When they say everything but score, I think that's what they're talking about.
The second half was a more scrappy affair for CSSC, but the game never really looked in danger. Landmark had two excellent chances but the first was snuffed out when Walden's borrowed cleats allowed him to charge off the line and force a break away shooter to fire over the bar. The second was foiled by a crunching Devin Dorbolo tackle to clear the ball off the line. CSSC had a number of chances of their own, the most obvious of which came when the ref finally had to admit to himself that five fouls of various kinds inside the Landmark box was probably worth one penalty, but Stef Fischer admirer D. Doerksen decided to copy Fischer's penalty from last game. Unfortunately, the Landmark keeper was wise to the tactic and stopped the second CSSC penalty in two games. Fortunately, K. Chioua made the game safe when his excellent diagonal run was rewarded by a crafty Matt Loxley pass and Chioua calmly slotted home low into the corner. The game was so comfortable that discussion on the bench turned to where we were going for beers in the bar desert that is north Keewatin.
Man of the Match: Birthday boy Devin Doerksen may have failed to convert a penalty, and picked up a yellow card for prolonged referee back chat about the quality of vision care in his health plan, but his free kick was highlight reel stuff and he put in a fantastic two way shift tracking up and down the wing to wonderful effect. The only real question is what does Devin value more on his big 24: Man of the Match or a birthday tweet from UFC superstar Paige VanZant?
With regular keeper Mac Andries again out of the lineup for a trip to the local soccer shop to purchase a non green jersey, and backup keeper Ali Chioua out putting out another figurative fire in kitchen of Gimli's finest hotel, it was very alarming to see shot stopper of the evening Bob Walden show up at the game without his cleats in his kit bag. For those counting, that makes two players in the last three games with shocking gaps in their pre game packing. Fortunately, injured mid fielder Ian Hudson had packed his size 9s "just in case." You know you're getting on in years when your contribution to the team changes from scoring goals to lending people your boots.
As was the case with the first game in this home and home encounter, CSSC started off on the back foot, although this game, they managed to weather the storm without conceding an early, go behind goal. As the half wore on CSSC actually started to string some lovely passing moves together and the chances started to come. About 20 minutes in a lovely defense splitting ball from the center mid found Eli Robinson making an incisive run across the Landmark back line. Robinson took one touch and blasted what must surely have been a left footed rocket into the back of the net, leaving the Landmark keeper no chance. The second arrived off a free kick, which will come as something of a surprise to CSSC fans. Devin Doerksen has been putting in considerable time on the CSSC training pitch perfecting his free kicks and has not been shy about mentioning his proficiency to the CSSC management team. Both the lobbying and practice paid off when he stepped up to a free kick, just to the left of the Landmark goal about 25 yards out. His bender went over the wall, off the inside of the lbase of the eft hand post, rolled along the goal line, off the base of the right hand post and sat on the goal line for Van Penner to nudge over the line. When they say everything but score, I think that's what they're talking about.
The second half was a more scrappy affair for CSSC, but the game never really looked in danger. Landmark had two excellent chances but the first was snuffed out when Walden's borrowed cleats allowed him to charge off the line and force a break away shooter to fire over the bar. The second was foiled by a crunching Devin Dorbolo tackle to clear the ball off the line. CSSC had a number of chances of their own, the most obvious of which came when the ref finally had to admit to himself that five fouls of various kinds inside the Landmark box was probably worth one penalty, but Stef Fischer admirer D. Doerksen decided to copy Fischer's penalty from last game. Unfortunately, the Landmark keeper was wise to the tactic and stopped the second CSSC penalty in two games. Fortunately, K. Chioua made the game safe when his excellent diagonal run was rewarded by a crafty Matt Loxley pass and Chioua calmly slotted home low into the corner. The game was so comfortable that discussion on the bench turned to where we were going for beers in the bar desert that is north Keewatin.
Man of the Match: Birthday boy Devin Doerksen may have failed to convert a penalty, and picked up a yellow card for prolonged referee back chat about the quality of vision care in his health plan, but his free kick was highlight reel stuff and he put in a fantastic two way shift tracking up and down the wing to wonderful effect. The only real question is what does Devin value more on his big 24: Man of the Match or a birthday tweet from UFC superstar Paige VanZant?
Landmark 2 - 3 CSSC
After requiring some fancy managerial maneuvering to field a squad in the last few matches, CSSC turned up in droves for the away game in Landmark. As clever wit Wazoo noted, "Does everyone live out here?" A healthy subs bench was crucial for a match that seasoned observers described as a potential banana skin. If you win, you get no credit because your opposition is bottom of the league. If you lose, the knives really come out.
You could hear the scrape of blade on sheath when Landmark deservedly opened the scoring. A half cleared cross bounced out to a Landmark midfielder 20 yards out and, with plenty of time to weigh up his options, he pelted a stunner in to the top corner. "It was coming," said gifted prognosticator J. Loxley. But that was time to cue the fight back. Substitutes Van Penner and Jude DB injected some real life into the CSSC attack. After a lung busting run up field, Jude tracked back and intercepted a Landmark breakout. He then raced back down the right flank and pinged an inch perfect cross onto the melon of K. Chioua who placed a perfect lobbed header beyond the despairing dive of the keeper. CSSC ended the half on the front foot but apparently one headed goal per half is our quota because despite two more very presentable headers from close range, the back of the net remained untroubled.
CSSC continued with its dominance at the beginning of the second half. Posts were hit, keepers were lobbed, goal line scrambles weren't converted and shots were wide. At least until Devin Doerksen dribbled his way into a four person cul de sac at the top left of the Landmark box. With few options, he followed the old axiom There's no such thing as a bad shot on goal, and his low shot skidded off the rain slicked turf and into the bottom corner. Unfortunately, that was the signal for CSSC to "go off the boil" according to culinary expert J. Loxley. CSSC was punished by a clinically finished glancing header off a corner that flew into the far corner. With the away section of the stadium growing increasingly discontented CSSC rose to the occasion when Dylan Doerksen teed up Jude about twenty yards out and he kept his cool despite the panic inducing screams of "SHOOT!!!" from the CSSC sidelines, bending a lovely curler into the bottom corner . Minutes later Dylan again danced his way into the Landmark box and was clipped for a stone cold penalty. Unfortunately, normally dead sure Stef Fischer opted for power and the Landmark keeper got a strong hand on the ball to turn it aside. The many earlier misses almost came back to haunt CSSC but Bob Walden made a wonderful reflex save off a deflected free kick and Matt Loxley cleared another off the line to preserve the victory. Nerves were jangling by the end but the lovely double rainbow marked a hard earned CSSC victory.
Man of the Match: CSSC's first post game visit to the Jolly Friar will most likely be its last after finding the kitchen closed. "I was unhappy" said understated CK. The MotM voting was split between Jude's game winning goal offensive contribution and Bob's tremendous turn between the sticks. Bob won out because, as one happy drinker put it, "he isn't really a goalie." You wouldn't know it to watch him perform.
After requiring some fancy managerial maneuvering to field a squad in the last few matches, CSSC turned up in droves for the away game in Landmark. As clever wit Wazoo noted, "Does everyone live out here?" A healthy subs bench was crucial for a match that seasoned observers described as a potential banana skin. If you win, you get no credit because your opposition is bottom of the league. If you lose, the knives really come out.
You could hear the scrape of blade on sheath when Landmark deservedly opened the scoring. A half cleared cross bounced out to a Landmark midfielder 20 yards out and, with plenty of time to weigh up his options, he pelted a stunner in to the top corner. "It was coming," said gifted prognosticator J. Loxley. But that was time to cue the fight back. Substitutes Van Penner and Jude DB injected some real life into the CSSC attack. After a lung busting run up field, Jude tracked back and intercepted a Landmark breakout. He then raced back down the right flank and pinged an inch perfect cross onto the melon of K. Chioua who placed a perfect lobbed header beyond the despairing dive of the keeper. CSSC ended the half on the front foot but apparently one headed goal per half is our quota because despite two more very presentable headers from close range, the back of the net remained untroubled.
CSSC continued with its dominance at the beginning of the second half. Posts were hit, keepers were lobbed, goal line scrambles weren't converted and shots were wide. At least until Devin Doerksen dribbled his way into a four person cul de sac at the top left of the Landmark box. With few options, he followed the old axiom There's no such thing as a bad shot on goal, and his low shot skidded off the rain slicked turf and into the bottom corner. Unfortunately, that was the signal for CSSC to "go off the boil" according to culinary expert J. Loxley. CSSC was punished by a clinically finished glancing header off a corner that flew into the far corner. With the away section of the stadium growing increasingly discontented CSSC rose to the occasion when Dylan Doerksen teed up Jude about twenty yards out and he kept his cool despite the panic inducing screams of "SHOOT!!!" from the CSSC sidelines, bending a lovely curler into the bottom corner . Minutes later Dylan again danced his way into the Landmark box and was clipped for a stone cold penalty. Unfortunately, normally dead sure Stef Fischer opted for power and the Landmark keeper got a strong hand on the ball to turn it aside. The many earlier misses almost came back to haunt CSSC but Bob Walden made a wonderful reflex save off a deflected free kick and Matt Loxley cleared another off the line to preserve the victory. Nerves were jangling by the end but the lovely double rainbow marked a hard earned CSSC victory.
Man of the Match: CSSC's first post game visit to the Jolly Friar will most likely be its last after finding the kitchen closed. "I was unhappy" said understated CK. The MotM voting was split between Jude's game winning goal offensive contribution and Bob's tremendous turn between the sticks. Bob won out because, as one happy drinker put it, "he isn't really a goalie." You wouldn't know it to watch him perform.
Superbia 4 - 4 CSSC
Usually the month of July is the period when many Crescentwood players go missing or are injured. This year, the month of June serves that role as became dramatically clear when the referee blew the whistle for the kickoff of the game against Superbia. Even with the mobilization of the two old warhorses Andrew Woolford and Mark Meuwese only ten players were on the pitch at the start of the game. The situation was not helped by Stef Fischer, who forgot his cleats, shin pads and socks, requiring him to make the trek home and miss the early part of the game.
Fortunately but inexplicably, Bruce Seward and the Doerksen brothers could be seen slowly making their way from the Buhler parking lot to the field. To everyone’s surprise, Crescentwood took a quick and comfortable lead in the first fifteen minutes of the game. Partially because of the wicked side-wind, a high cross from Niall Harney flew over the Superbia keeper in the second minute of the game. Shortly after, a shot from CSSC sweeper Bob Walden outside the box also curled behind the Superbia goalie. The comfortable early lead inevitably lulled many Crescentwood players into complacency which enabled a woken-up Superbia to make a come-back. At half-time, the early lead had been neutralized and Crescentwood was back at square-one.
In the first part of the second half, Superbia started out even more aggressively and put Crescentwood on the defensive. A bombardment of corner-kicks eventually resulted in a goal for Superbia. Awakened, Crescentwood immediately counter-attacked and forced a penalty after Van Penner was taken down in the Superbia box. Stefan Fischer kept his usual calm and slotted it in to equalize the game once more. Unfortunately, Superbia resumed its air-force offensive. Several times, Mackenzie Andries heroically saved the day but ultimately a header from the very skillful Superbia defender was out of reach even for Mackenzie. Once again, though, Crescentwood showed character. After a precise build-up from the back, Dylan Doerksen received the ball and calmly blasted a low shot behind the Superbia goalie. In the last ten minutes of the game, Crescentwood should have won the game since Superbia’s exhausted defensive line was hanging on by a thread. However, a number of great chances from a number of unnamed Crescentwood forwards went just wide or over the top of the goal. In the final moments of the game, Superbia pressed for the winner, but a clutter of sprawling CSSC bodies kept the score knotted at 4-4.
Man of the Match: The real winners of this spectacular game were the spectators which included veteran Crescentwood keeper Dean Sigurdsson. He would certainly approve that Mackenzie Andries was proclaimed man of the match for his superb goal-tending skills against the barrage of Superbia headers. Honourable mention to Bob Waldon and Stef Fischer – if only either had been there for the full game.
This week’s didactic video clip is from a classic Dutch cup game from the early 1990s; non-Dutch speakers just ignore the announcer and just watch the play. Perhaps CSSC should get Pete Hudson to stand next to Mackenzie’s goal to clear any balls that in an unlikely event might get past our marvelous goalie.
Usually the month of July is the period when many Crescentwood players go missing or are injured. This year, the month of June serves that role as became dramatically clear when the referee blew the whistle for the kickoff of the game against Superbia. Even with the mobilization of the two old warhorses Andrew Woolford and Mark Meuwese only ten players were on the pitch at the start of the game. The situation was not helped by Stef Fischer, who forgot his cleats, shin pads and socks, requiring him to make the trek home and miss the early part of the game.
Fortunately but inexplicably, Bruce Seward and the Doerksen brothers could be seen slowly making their way from the Buhler parking lot to the field. To everyone’s surprise, Crescentwood took a quick and comfortable lead in the first fifteen minutes of the game. Partially because of the wicked side-wind, a high cross from Niall Harney flew over the Superbia keeper in the second minute of the game. Shortly after, a shot from CSSC sweeper Bob Walden outside the box also curled behind the Superbia goalie. The comfortable early lead inevitably lulled many Crescentwood players into complacency which enabled a woken-up Superbia to make a come-back. At half-time, the early lead had been neutralized and Crescentwood was back at square-one.
In the first part of the second half, Superbia started out even more aggressively and put Crescentwood on the defensive. A bombardment of corner-kicks eventually resulted in a goal for Superbia. Awakened, Crescentwood immediately counter-attacked and forced a penalty after Van Penner was taken down in the Superbia box. Stefan Fischer kept his usual calm and slotted it in to equalize the game once more. Unfortunately, Superbia resumed its air-force offensive. Several times, Mackenzie Andries heroically saved the day but ultimately a header from the very skillful Superbia defender was out of reach even for Mackenzie. Once again, though, Crescentwood showed character. After a precise build-up from the back, Dylan Doerksen received the ball and calmly blasted a low shot behind the Superbia goalie. In the last ten minutes of the game, Crescentwood should have won the game since Superbia’s exhausted defensive line was hanging on by a thread. However, a number of great chances from a number of unnamed Crescentwood forwards went just wide or over the top of the goal. In the final moments of the game, Superbia pressed for the winner, but a clutter of sprawling CSSC bodies kept the score knotted at 4-4.
Man of the Match: The real winners of this spectacular game were the spectators which included veteran Crescentwood keeper Dean Sigurdsson. He would certainly approve that Mackenzie Andries was proclaimed man of the match for his superb goal-tending skills against the barrage of Superbia headers. Honourable mention to Bob Waldon and Stef Fischer – if only either had been there for the full game.
This week’s didactic video clip is from a classic Dutch cup game from the early 1990s; non-Dutch speakers just ignore the announcer and just watch the play. Perhaps CSSC should get Pete Hudson to stand next to Mackenzie’s goal to clear any balls that in an unlikely event might get past our marvelous goalie.
CSSC 0 - 2 St James
It was a dark and stormy night. Obviously the perfect time for the protective dugouts at Waverly to be removed to shelter the delicate souls in the Canada - Costa Rica game from the perils of the shining sun and a balmy summer breeze the previous evening. CSSC was horribly short handed due to a combination of injuries, lake vacations and red cards. In order to flesh out the line up team management had to call up a couple of promising youngsters, Andrew Woolford and Mark Meuwese, from the farm team. To give the 13 strong their due, they all showed up despite the inclement weather with only three texts to manager I. Hudson asking if the game was still on.
A big win on the coin toss by K. Chioua gave CSSC the wind in the first half and for the first 20 minutes it looked like they would take full advantage. Early pressure resulted in the first true chance when Kinsella laid off a nice one touch pass to Eli Robinson who unleashed a low, rasping twenty yard drive the St James keeper did well to push wide. CSSC managed to recover the loose ball and work it back across the top of the box to Matt Brett who blazed a one timer just high. But that was about it for good chances in the first half.
Like a long time CBC viewer, St James really enjoyed the Wind at Their Back (look it up people). Several good chances came and went when CSSC failed to clear a free kick and it fell to a St James forward eight yards out. He made no mistake with a well struck volley that gave Mac in the CSSC goal no chance. Rather than looking like equalizing, CSSC was having a tough time getting anything going. Passes were misplayed, balls were bouncing off knees, runs were not being made. As defensive pillar Stef Fischer remarked on the side lines, "this game sucks." That may not be a direct quote. St James should have been two up when one of their forwards found themselves all alone in front of the CSSC net but the low drive was acrobatically turned aside by the strong hand of Mac diving to his right. It was only a temporary reprieve, however. As CSSC pushed up late in the game, St. James sprung a lurking forward behind the thin CSSC line and he converted low past Mac for a two nil final.
Man of the Match: Despite a self diagnosis of cracked ribs, Wazoo showed up in case we were short numbers and heroically ran a line despite the growing chill and his lack of long pants. On the field, Mac put in a great performance in goal and it normally would have easily been enough for MotM, but Matt Brett put in a remarkable one person effort to stem the St. James tide all night. It's as though every attempt to carry the ball into the CSSC half is a horrible afford to his very soul.
It was a dark and stormy night. Obviously the perfect time for the protective dugouts at Waverly to be removed to shelter the delicate souls in the Canada - Costa Rica game from the perils of the shining sun and a balmy summer breeze the previous evening. CSSC was horribly short handed due to a combination of injuries, lake vacations and red cards. In order to flesh out the line up team management had to call up a couple of promising youngsters, Andrew Woolford and Mark Meuwese, from the farm team. To give the 13 strong their due, they all showed up despite the inclement weather with only three texts to manager I. Hudson asking if the game was still on.
A big win on the coin toss by K. Chioua gave CSSC the wind in the first half and for the first 20 minutes it looked like they would take full advantage. Early pressure resulted in the first true chance when Kinsella laid off a nice one touch pass to Eli Robinson who unleashed a low, rasping twenty yard drive the St James keeper did well to push wide. CSSC managed to recover the loose ball and work it back across the top of the box to Matt Brett who blazed a one timer just high. But that was about it for good chances in the first half.
Like a long time CBC viewer, St James really enjoyed the Wind at Their Back (look it up people). Several good chances came and went when CSSC failed to clear a free kick and it fell to a St James forward eight yards out. He made no mistake with a well struck volley that gave Mac in the CSSC goal no chance. Rather than looking like equalizing, CSSC was having a tough time getting anything going. Passes were misplayed, balls were bouncing off knees, runs were not being made. As defensive pillar Stef Fischer remarked on the side lines, "this game sucks." That may not be a direct quote. St James should have been two up when one of their forwards found themselves all alone in front of the CSSC net but the low drive was acrobatically turned aside by the strong hand of Mac diving to his right. It was only a temporary reprieve, however. As CSSC pushed up late in the game, St. James sprung a lurking forward behind the thin CSSC line and he converted low past Mac for a two nil final.
Man of the Match: Despite a self diagnosis of cracked ribs, Wazoo showed up in case we were short numbers and heroically ran a line despite the growing chill and his lack of long pants. On the field, Mac put in a great performance in goal and it normally would have easily been enough for MotM, but Matt Brett put in a remarkable one person effort to stem the St. James tide all night. It's as though every attempt to carry the ball into the CSSC half is a horrible afford to his very soul.
Southside SpVgg 1 - 2 CSSC
With the usual match reporter off to Atlantic Canada to depopulate the lobster fishery, crack defender and keen back heeler Mark Meuwese has bravely stepped into the void.
Due to injuries, a red card, and perhaps because of the summery weather a suspiciously large number of regular players were absent. This forced senior management to call on the spares, enabling CSSC to barely edge out the opponent who only were able to get out ten players themselves. With Bob Walden in goal, CSSC started out comfortably although Shaun Brown grew increasingly nervous since Crescentwood was unable to exploit the numerical advantage. Andrew Woolford, one of the loyal spares, also received a very questionable yellow card from the zealous ref. Nevertheless, several good chances were created with the highlight being the nice shot from Colin Kinsella that would have gone into the top right-corner if it not had been for the outstanding Southside goalie. In the second half, CSSC started out much stronger, perhaps because the other team was exhausted or thanks to the inspirational arrival of super fan Pete Hudson. Central midfielder and birthday boy Matt Loxley repeatedly delivered brilliant low passes through the Southside defensive line to set up the young and fast strikers. Unfortunately, and extremely unfairly, most of Matt’s passes were called off-side. Rick Penner, who served as the other linesman, at one point rightfully complained but he was strictly reprimanded by the misguided ref. Eventually Crescentwood’s pressure came too much and newcomer Jude Dimond Bauer was able to slot one in. Shortly after, Jude scored another one from close range after a nice set up that involved a back-heel from Mark Meuwese and a fine low cross from Stefan Fischer. The veteran central defender almost scored a goal himself by thundering a shot that hit the crossbar. Southside impressively managed to get a goal back with a free kick but Crescentwood was able to professionally finish the game and take home the three points.
Man of the Match: While watching the Champions League final, featuring this bit of unsavory play acting, at Crescentwood headquarters (aka Pete Hudson’s place) it was decided to proclaim Jude Dimond Bauer as well-deserved man of the match.
With the usual match reporter off to Atlantic Canada to depopulate the lobster fishery, crack defender and keen back heeler Mark Meuwese has bravely stepped into the void.
Due to injuries, a red card, and perhaps because of the summery weather a suspiciously large number of regular players were absent. This forced senior management to call on the spares, enabling CSSC to barely edge out the opponent who only were able to get out ten players themselves. With Bob Walden in goal, CSSC started out comfortably although Shaun Brown grew increasingly nervous since Crescentwood was unable to exploit the numerical advantage. Andrew Woolford, one of the loyal spares, also received a very questionable yellow card from the zealous ref. Nevertheless, several good chances were created with the highlight being the nice shot from Colin Kinsella that would have gone into the top right-corner if it not had been for the outstanding Southside goalie. In the second half, CSSC started out much stronger, perhaps because the other team was exhausted or thanks to the inspirational arrival of super fan Pete Hudson. Central midfielder and birthday boy Matt Loxley repeatedly delivered brilliant low passes through the Southside defensive line to set up the young and fast strikers. Unfortunately, and extremely unfairly, most of Matt’s passes were called off-side. Rick Penner, who served as the other linesman, at one point rightfully complained but he was strictly reprimanded by the misguided ref. Eventually Crescentwood’s pressure came too much and newcomer Jude Dimond Bauer was able to slot one in. Shortly after, Jude scored another one from close range after a nice set up that involved a back-heel from Mark Meuwese and a fine low cross from Stefan Fischer. The veteran central defender almost scored a goal himself by thundering a shot that hit the crossbar. Southside impressively managed to get a goal back with a free kick but Crescentwood was able to professionally finish the game and take home the three points.
Man of the Match: While watching the Champions League final, featuring this bit of unsavory play acting, at Crescentwood headquarters (aka Pete Hudson’s place) it was decided to proclaim Jude Dimond Bauer as well-deserved man of the match.
CSSC 2 - 0 Les Bleus
The injury curse continued to plague the overworked CSSC medical staff before a late night encounter against Les Bleus. Both Matt Brett and Wazoo picked up painful injuries that were reliably diagnosed as "really sore" untreatable lower and upper body injuries respectively. In the other dugout, Les Bleus had so many players they looked more like a crowd scene in a blockbuster film than a soccer team.
CSSC looked like it meant business right off the hop. A delightful cross field cutback from the center of the CSSC midfield sent Van Penner scampering clear down the left wing, but his deep seated hatred of his left foot forced him to attempt a difficult outside of the boot bender into the top corner with his favored right and it flew just over the angle of post and bar. Then Devin Doerksen got all aggressive on the right side. His run across the top of the box was halted by a nice sliding challenge but the loose ball bounced right to brother Dylan who hammered a dipping volley past the diving keeper and into the net. Les Bleus responded to going behind with a patient display of possession passing, using a three person center midfield to outnumber CSSC's battling midfield duo of Dylan and Matt Loxley. Despite being outplayed, the combined efforts of Mac in the CSSC goal and the goalpost kept CSSC ahead until the break.
At the break CSSC moved to a 4-4-1-1 formation to combat Les Bleus and it made a difference. Possession was much more even and Mac was much less troubled in the CSSC goal. CSSC nerves were further eased when Kamal made good progress down the inside right channel, beat two players in the box, and slid a lovely ball to Dylan at the near post who took a touch and rolled the ball into the far corner with considerable composure. Like Milhouse, everything seemed to be "comin' up" CSSC until the much involved Dylan took matters into his own hands after getting fouled one too many times and took a retaliatory lump out of an overaggressive Les Bleus midfielder. Straight red. "They always catch the second one" opined Pete Hudson, shaking his head. Down to 10 men CSSC still managed to see out the final 15 minutes without conceding. A clean sheet is a manager's best friend.
Man of the Match: The whole CSSC back line looked strong like a bull and Mac's ability to come off his line is proving a game winner. However, despite the big negative of a red card, two goals and a stylish mid field display earned Dylan Doersken the award along with a patient lecture on minding your manners.
The injury curse continued to plague the overworked CSSC medical staff before a late night encounter against Les Bleus. Both Matt Brett and Wazoo picked up painful injuries that were reliably diagnosed as "really sore" untreatable lower and upper body injuries respectively. In the other dugout, Les Bleus had so many players they looked more like a crowd scene in a blockbuster film than a soccer team.
CSSC looked like it meant business right off the hop. A delightful cross field cutback from the center of the CSSC midfield sent Van Penner scampering clear down the left wing, but his deep seated hatred of his left foot forced him to attempt a difficult outside of the boot bender into the top corner with his favored right and it flew just over the angle of post and bar. Then Devin Doerksen got all aggressive on the right side. His run across the top of the box was halted by a nice sliding challenge but the loose ball bounced right to brother Dylan who hammered a dipping volley past the diving keeper and into the net. Les Bleus responded to going behind with a patient display of possession passing, using a three person center midfield to outnumber CSSC's battling midfield duo of Dylan and Matt Loxley. Despite being outplayed, the combined efforts of Mac in the CSSC goal and the goalpost kept CSSC ahead until the break.
At the break CSSC moved to a 4-4-1-1 formation to combat Les Bleus and it made a difference. Possession was much more even and Mac was much less troubled in the CSSC goal. CSSC nerves were further eased when Kamal made good progress down the inside right channel, beat two players in the box, and slid a lovely ball to Dylan at the near post who took a touch and rolled the ball into the far corner with considerable composure. Like Milhouse, everything seemed to be "comin' up" CSSC until the much involved Dylan took matters into his own hands after getting fouled one too many times and took a retaliatory lump out of an overaggressive Les Bleus midfielder. Straight red. "They always catch the second one" opined Pete Hudson, shaking his head. Down to 10 men CSSC still managed to see out the final 15 minutes without conceding. A clean sheet is a manager's best friend.
Man of the Match: The whole CSSC back line looked strong like a bull and Mac's ability to come off his line is proving a game winner. However, despite the big negative of a red card, two goals and a stylish mid field display earned Dylan Doersken the award along with a patient lecture on minding your manners.
CSSC 5 - 0 Gladiators
This year the MMSL has attempted to capture the glory of the FA Cup (there will be a quiz on the finer details of that clip) with its very own all team Manitoba tournament. In the first round of cup magic CSSC drew the Gladiators from a division lower. Scouting reports were non existent but as they came out in non gladitorial pink shirts and non matching socks, CSSC confidence was high despite veteran midfielder I. Hudson being ruled out after picking up knee knock in the previous match against Portage.
30 seconds in that confidence appeared to be badly misplaced. Right off the kickoff the Gladiators pumped a long ball into CSSC's box and won a header in the area that fell to a forward behind the CSSC back line. Fortunately, he blazed the volley over from close range. That would be the last chance that the pink shirts would get for the half. CSSC started stroking the ball around the plastic pitch with real confidence, Dylan Doerksen was putting on a mad skills clinic in center mid and Van Penner was a real threat, pumping in cross after cross from the right flank. It was from the Penner supply line that CSSC opened its account when yet another Penner cross found Wazoo unmarked in middle and he nodded home from close range. The second could have come from numerous sources. Van Penner, Eli Robinson, Jude DB, and Wazoo all missed more than presentable chances before Jude again found space wide on the left, cut past two defenders and rolled the ball past the keeper. The third was on a slightly curious penalty that appeared to be given as a make up call for the ref not spotting that CSSC had forced the ball across the line a few seconds earlier. Unfazed by the small details, Eli stepped up and blasted the penalty into the top corner. The last of the half arrived off a set piece. Sean Brown lobbed in an inswinger that avoided not only Robinson and Dorbolo charging in at the back post, but also the Gladiator keeper.
The second half was predictably played at something less than a breakneck pace. CSSC controlled possession but didn't create too many chances. The Gladiators had a couple very good chances to end the shut out on the break but were foiled on every occasion by Mac Andries, who is rapidly becoming a fan favorite despite not yet picking up a non green keepers' jersey. Then a moment of pure class out of the lack luster half. There didn't appear to be too much threat to the Gladiator goal when badly sunburned Devin Doerksen picked up the ball wide on the left, but he waltzed his way past two defenders and calmly stroked the ball past the keeper and inside the far post. Was that Thierry Henry? Not much else of note happened the rest of the way.
Man of the Match: Keen on finding an appropriate celebration after our first big round win in the cup, CSSC retired back to club patriarch Pete Hudson's place for a big screen viewing of the excellent FA cup final and were delighted that the big money scoundrels from Chelsea got a good thrashing. In between Pilsners and chips, voting for MotM went to Adam Wazoo Wazny for opening the scoring and having a fine game up front. He should have had three but we'll take the one.
This year the MMSL has attempted to capture the glory of the FA Cup (there will be a quiz on the finer details of that clip) with its very own all team Manitoba tournament. In the first round of cup magic CSSC drew the Gladiators from a division lower. Scouting reports were non existent but as they came out in non gladitorial pink shirts and non matching socks, CSSC confidence was high despite veteran midfielder I. Hudson being ruled out after picking up knee knock in the previous match against Portage.
30 seconds in that confidence appeared to be badly misplaced. Right off the kickoff the Gladiators pumped a long ball into CSSC's box and won a header in the area that fell to a forward behind the CSSC back line. Fortunately, he blazed the volley over from close range. That would be the last chance that the pink shirts would get for the half. CSSC started stroking the ball around the plastic pitch with real confidence, Dylan Doerksen was putting on a mad skills clinic in center mid and Van Penner was a real threat, pumping in cross after cross from the right flank. It was from the Penner supply line that CSSC opened its account when yet another Penner cross found Wazoo unmarked in middle and he nodded home from close range. The second could have come from numerous sources. Van Penner, Eli Robinson, Jude DB, and Wazoo all missed more than presentable chances before Jude again found space wide on the left, cut past two defenders and rolled the ball past the keeper. The third was on a slightly curious penalty that appeared to be given as a make up call for the ref not spotting that CSSC had forced the ball across the line a few seconds earlier. Unfazed by the small details, Eli stepped up and blasted the penalty into the top corner. The last of the half arrived off a set piece. Sean Brown lobbed in an inswinger that avoided not only Robinson and Dorbolo charging in at the back post, but also the Gladiator keeper.
The second half was predictably played at something less than a breakneck pace. CSSC controlled possession but didn't create too many chances. The Gladiators had a couple very good chances to end the shut out on the break but were foiled on every occasion by Mac Andries, who is rapidly becoming a fan favorite despite not yet picking up a non green keepers' jersey. Then a moment of pure class out of the lack luster half. There didn't appear to be too much threat to the Gladiator goal when badly sunburned Devin Doerksen picked up the ball wide on the left, but he waltzed his way past two defenders and calmly stroked the ball past the keeper and inside the far post. Was that Thierry Henry? Not much else of note happened the rest of the way.
Man of the Match: Keen on finding an appropriate celebration after our first big round win in the cup, CSSC retired back to club patriarch Pete Hudson's place for a big screen viewing of the excellent FA cup final and were delighted that the big money scoundrels from Chelsea got a good thrashing. In between Pilsners and chips, voting for MotM went to Adam Wazoo Wazny for opening the scoring and having a fine game up front. He should have had three but we'll take the one.
Portage Cobras 2 - 2 CSSC
Karma doesn't exist!! During its off week, CSSC played a friendly game against a team of recently arrived Canadians. This warm gesture of welcome was rewarded by having recently returning heart and soul of the CSSC midfield Mark Hudson's leg snapped in two. Sometimes there is no justice. So Mark Hudson, crutches cast and all, took over the bench duties for CSSC's annual pilgrimage to Portage and the finest grass field in Manitoba. Would this be a successful road trip, like the road trip movie Road Trip or would this end in failure, like the road trip movie Rat Race.
The game was very even for the first quarter of an hour, with most of the play in the midfield and little to excite the Portage crowd. The closest either team came to a goal was when a CSSC corner led to a goal line scramble of long lasting and comical proportions. Legs were swung, shots were blocked, shots were scuffed but CSSC couldn't force the ball the three yards necessary to get it over the line. Then Portage went one up. What appeared to be an over hit cross looked to be safely floating into the safe hands of rookie sensation Mac Andries only for it to slip through his fingers and across the goal line. We told him not to wear his gloves when he was eating all that buttery popcorn before the game but players gotta play. Rather than hanging their head at this unfortunate turn of events CSSC surged back into the game immediately. Midfield veteran Colin Kinsella made like N'Golo Kante, forcing a Portage turnover that bounced kindly to other midfield veteran Ian Hudson. His threaded pass through the heart of the Portage defense found Van Penner cutting in from the wing. He took one touch, held off his defender and slid the ball home from close range. The final incident of note in the half was when K. Chioua latched on to a bouncing ball at the top of the box and rattled the bar with a sweet dipping volley.
The second half saw a season first. CSSC took the lead. Devin Dorbolo rampaged out of his right back position to send K. Chioua sprinting down the wing. With only I. Hudson to aim at among four defenders, Chioua wisely elected to hold the ball up in the corner of the Portage box. One of the surrounding defenders got a little too anxious about Chioua's presence and clipped his heels resulting in Chioua falling to his knees faster than a Catholic in confession. Fischer stepped up and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1. Portage was grumbling that the penalty was a bit soft, but they could thank the soccer gods a few minutes later when their last defender scythed down K. Chioua inside the box the ref put his whistle to his lips but couldn't find the air to blow a penalty. CSSC appeared to be handling the increasing Portage pressure without conceding too many chances when Mac palmed a Portage header away from the goal only to have an opposing striker react much more quickly than a flat footed CSSC defense to softly chip the ball slowly over the prone Mac and into the CSSC goal. The rest of the game was more notable for the Portage players getting increasing frustrated at the referee and, in the fine tradition of collateral damage, kicking their anger out on CSSC shins.
Man of the Match: There were a number of solid contenders. Matt Loxley was a tour de force in center mid, covering every inch of the field. Matt Brett had a great game at the back, winning tackle after tackle with hard breathing enthusiasm, but late in the game he developed an odd penchant for 1970s football kicker toe punting to deliver the ball up field. So the award and a free tin of tasty something goes to Devin Dolbolo for his standout game at the back. With Brett and Dolbolo at the back, speed on the flanks is not going to be an issue this year.
Karma doesn't exist!! During its off week, CSSC played a friendly game against a team of recently arrived Canadians. This warm gesture of welcome was rewarded by having recently returning heart and soul of the CSSC midfield Mark Hudson's leg snapped in two. Sometimes there is no justice. So Mark Hudson, crutches cast and all, took over the bench duties for CSSC's annual pilgrimage to Portage and the finest grass field in Manitoba. Would this be a successful road trip, like the road trip movie Road Trip or would this end in failure, like the road trip movie Rat Race.
The game was very even for the first quarter of an hour, with most of the play in the midfield and little to excite the Portage crowd. The closest either team came to a goal was when a CSSC corner led to a goal line scramble of long lasting and comical proportions. Legs were swung, shots were blocked, shots were scuffed but CSSC couldn't force the ball the three yards necessary to get it over the line. Then Portage went one up. What appeared to be an over hit cross looked to be safely floating into the safe hands of rookie sensation Mac Andries only for it to slip through his fingers and across the goal line. We told him not to wear his gloves when he was eating all that buttery popcorn before the game but players gotta play. Rather than hanging their head at this unfortunate turn of events CSSC surged back into the game immediately. Midfield veteran Colin Kinsella made like N'Golo Kante, forcing a Portage turnover that bounced kindly to other midfield veteran Ian Hudson. His threaded pass through the heart of the Portage defense found Van Penner cutting in from the wing. He took one touch, held off his defender and slid the ball home from close range. The final incident of note in the half was when K. Chioua latched on to a bouncing ball at the top of the box and rattled the bar with a sweet dipping volley.
The second half saw a season first. CSSC took the lead. Devin Dorbolo rampaged out of his right back position to send K. Chioua sprinting down the wing. With only I. Hudson to aim at among four defenders, Chioua wisely elected to hold the ball up in the corner of the Portage box. One of the surrounding defenders got a little too anxious about Chioua's presence and clipped his heels resulting in Chioua falling to his knees faster than a Catholic in confession. Fischer stepped up and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1. Portage was grumbling that the penalty was a bit soft, but they could thank the soccer gods a few minutes later when their last defender scythed down K. Chioua inside the box the ref put his whistle to his lips but couldn't find the air to blow a penalty. CSSC appeared to be handling the increasing Portage pressure without conceding too many chances when Mac palmed a Portage header away from the goal only to have an opposing striker react much more quickly than a flat footed CSSC defense to softly chip the ball slowly over the prone Mac and into the CSSC goal. The rest of the game was more notable for the Portage players getting increasing frustrated at the referee and, in the fine tradition of collateral damage, kicking their anger out on CSSC shins.
Man of the Match: There were a number of solid contenders. Matt Loxley was a tour de force in center mid, covering every inch of the field. Matt Brett had a great game at the back, winning tackle after tackle with hard breathing enthusiasm, but late in the game he developed an odd penchant for 1970s football kicker toe punting to deliver the ball up field. So the award and a free tin of tasty something goes to Devin Dolbolo for his standout game at the back. With Brett and Dolbolo at the back, speed on the flanks is not going to be an issue this year.
Polonia 3 - 1 CSSC
An analogy filled match report. Stalwart CSSC supporters pointed to the silver lining of a solid second half performance last game to keep their hopes up against divisional rivals Polonia. Again CSSC turned out in remarkable numbers, forcing bench boss John Loxley to break out his trusty abacus to make sure that the squad maintained some measure of balance during the frequent substitutions. To add to the sense of occasion last year's defensive mainstay Andrew Woolford, dressed in a natty pea coat, gave a rousing pre game speech featuring such pearls of wisdom as "let em know you're there early doors."
Unlike last game CSSC started out firmly on the front foot. With K. Chioua and Jude DB leading the line chances were created and spurned with some frequency. As is so often the case, those misses looked especially glaring when a Polonia striker, unlike a Bill Cosby date, danced unmolested across the top of the CSSC box and slammed an unstoppable bullet in off the base of the post. "Against the run of play" muttered keen observer Pete Hudson. The rest of the half was a bit of a carbon copy. CSSC saw a lot of the ball and created several chances only for Polonia to take a two goal lead into the half when a cross reached a Polonia striker who could not have been in more space if he were Sandra Bullock's Gravity co star and he made no mistake. CSSC may have played a much better first half than their previous outing but the outcome was depressingly similar.
The second half was also similar to game one. CSSC came out for the half on fire. A sure goal looked in the offing when I. Hudson got to the byline and chipped a cross to the far post but, faced with a wide open goal and not a defender in sight, Wazoo and Charaf were, like Manfred Mann's rock classic, foiled by the blinding brilliance of a setting spring sun. Polonia couldn't ride their luck forever, and Hudson's next cross behind the Polonia line was latched on to by Mark Hudson who rammed the ball home from close range. Just like the opener CSSC was on the comeback. Also like the opener, CSSC couldn't quite manage the equalizer. Many chances were made but it was a damning indictment of CSSC finishing that the Polonia keeper didn't really have to make a big save. Shots were wide, shots were high, shots were scuffed. Polonia salted the game away with a late goal remarkable both for the hard low shot that beat Mac in the CSSC net and the shockingly static nature of the CSSC defenders who failed to close him down.
Man of the Match: While I Hudson lamented the tiny beer he unwisely purchased at the pub, and the rest of CSSC lamented another early season loss, discussion turned to MotM. Dylan and Matt Loxley looked great in the spine of the side but Colin Kinsella was getting a lot of love in the voting for his veteran midfield display. He may not be flashy but as the pros so often say, "he does the things that no one notices" and his OPTA stats showed a remarkable 96% pass completion rate.
An analogy filled match report. Stalwart CSSC supporters pointed to the silver lining of a solid second half performance last game to keep their hopes up against divisional rivals Polonia. Again CSSC turned out in remarkable numbers, forcing bench boss John Loxley to break out his trusty abacus to make sure that the squad maintained some measure of balance during the frequent substitutions. To add to the sense of occasion last year's defensive mainstay Andrew Woolford, dressed in a natty pea coat, gave a rousing pre game speech featuring such pearls of wisdom as "let em know you're there early doors."
Unlike last game CSSC started out firmly on the front foot. With K. Chioua and Jude DB leading the line chances were created and spurned with some frequency. As is so often the case, those misses looked especially glaring when a Polonia striker, unlike a Bill Cosby date, danced unmolested across the top of the CSSC box and slammed an unstoppable bullet in off the base of the post. "Against the run of play" muttered keen observer Pete Hudson. The rest of the half was a bit of a carbon copy. CSSC saw a lot of the ball and created several chances only for Polonia to take a two goal lead into the half when a cross reached a Polonia striker who could not have been in more space if he were Sandra Bullock's Gravity co star and he made no mistake. CSSC may have played a much better first half than their previous outing but the outcome was depressingly similar.
The second half was also similar to game one. CSSC came out for the half on fire. A sure goal looked in the offing when I. Hudson got to the byline and chipped a cross to the far post but, faced with a wide open goal and not a defender in sight, Wazoo and Charaf were, like Manfred Mann's rock classic, foiled by the blinding brilliance of a setting spring sun. Polonia couldn't ride their luck forever, and Hudson's next cross behind the Polonia line was latched on to by Mark Hudson who rammed the ball home from close range. Just like the opener CSSC was on the comeback. Also like the opener, CSSC couldn't quite manage the equalizer. Many chances were made but it was a damning indictment of CSSC finishing that the Polonia keeper didn't really have to make a big save. Shots were wide, shots were high, shots were scuffed. Polonia salted the game away with a late goal remarkable both for the hard low shot that beat Mac in the CSSC net and the shockingly static nature of the CSSC defenders who failed to close him down.
Man of the Match: While I Hudson lamented the tiny beer he unwisely purchased at the pub, and the rest of CSSC lamented another early season loss, discussion turned to MotM. Dylan and Matt Loxley looked great in the spine of the side but Colin Kinsella was getting a lot of love in the voting for his veteran midfield display. He may not be flashy but as the pros so often say, "he does the things that no one notices" and his OPTA stats showed a remarkable 96% pass completion rate.
CSSC 2 - 5 Grunthal
The hard pressing game of Gruthal was always going to be a stern test of the ability of CSSC's new look squad to gel. On a lovely spring day at Waverly and Wilkes CSSC brought a full seven subs and a packed home stand to its opening day contest. If only they'd remember to bring their game faces.
The first half was as one way as traffic could possibly be. Grunthal was first to every ball and were forcing CSSC into sloppy misplaced passes with their aggressive pressure game. They had already hit two posts and had a two person breakaway ruled out for offside when they struck for the first. A cross about 20 yards out skipped past sweeper Sean Brown and right to a very unmarked Grunthal forward who hammered a shot into the net despite promising new keeper McKenzie Andries getting a strong hand to it. Shortly after, a probing ball into the box got the the CSSC defenders in a bit of a muddle permitting an opportunistic Gruntal forward to nip in and poke it into the bottom corner from close range. Despite CSSC spending the whole first half attempting to stem the Grunthal tide with about as much success as King Canute, the three times it did venture across center three very good scoring chances resulted. Jude couldn't quite steer a break away past the keeper, Charaf knocked a close range shot wide and Wazoo scuffed a goal mouth scramble into the waiting belly of the prone keeper. Still, the score probably flattered a shocked CSSC.
Like Christophe Walken, CSSC supremo John Loxley, had some wise words that worked half time magic. Either that or CSSC's intense preseason regimen of two practices really paid dividends. All of a sudden CSSC was bossing the game, with Dylan Doerksen especially influential pulling the strings from center mid. Their domination was rewarded early in the half when newcomer Devin Dolbolo chased down an over hit cross and fed it back to Ian Hudson. His cross fell kindly to Niall Harney who kept his composure and fired in to the bottom corner. Game on. Tragically, the two goal cushion was restored when Grunthal worked a tidy give and go off a deep throw in and bent a lovely curler into the far top corner. But CSSC refused to go away. Local thespian and champion of recycling, Kamal Chioua, latched on to a through ball, shrugged off his defender and stabbed the ball into the far corner to give the staunch home support renewed hope. Then the turning point. Ian Hudson managed to find a rare pocket of space for his ageing legs and lobbed the Grunthal defense, sending K. Chioua sprinting clear. The trailing defender clipped Chioua's ankles a clear couple of yards in the box, but the ref took the easy way out and called the foul just outside. Rather than an almost certain equalizer, Walden's low rocket was blocked by the mass of defenders. As CSSC pushed more men up front in an increasingly tumultuous attempt to equalize they conceded two late goals to create a score that Gruntal, perhaps charitably, admitted flattered them.
Man of the Match: Drowning our sorrows in the friendly confines of the Grove, or in Pete Hudson's case eating them away with a late night carrot cake, there was a wide variety of man of the match nominees. Ali brought a remarkable degree of coherence to a massive subs bench that was looking raggedly chaotic in the first half. Colin Kinsella played with the classy assurance of a composed Michael Carrick, Dylan Doerksen had a stormer of a second half and Kamal was a predatory handful all night. However, not a single member of this lengthy list came for post match beverages, so the award goes to CSSC's newest university graduate and opening goal getter Niall Harney.
The hard pressing game of Gruthal was always going to be a stern test of the ability of CSSC's new look squad to gel. On a lovely spring day at Waverly and Wilkes CSSC brought a full seven subs and a packed home stand to its opening day contest. If only they'd remember to bring their game faces.
The first half was as one way as traffic could possibly be. Grunthal was first to every ball and were forcing CSSC into sloppy misplaced passes with their aggressive pressure game. They had already hit two posts and had a two person breakaway ruled out for offside when they struck for the first. A cross about 20 yards out skipped past sweeper Sean Brown and right to a very unmarked Grunthal forward who hammered a shot into the net despite promising new keeper McKenzie Andries getting a strong hand to it. Shortly after, a probing ball into the box got the the CSSC defenders in a bit of a muddle permitting an opportunistic Gruntal forward to nip in and poke it into the bottom corner from close range. Despite CSSC spending the whole first half attempting to stem the Grunthal tide with about as much success as King Canute, the three times it did venture across center three very good scoring chances resulted. Jude couldn't quite steer a break away past the keeper, Charaf knocked a close range shot wide and Wazoo scuffed a goal mouth scramble into the waiting belly of the prone keeper. Still, the score probably flattered a shocked CSSC.
Like Christophe Walken, CSSC supremo John Loxley, had some wise words that worked half time magic. Either that or CSSC's intense preseason regimen of two practices really paid dividends. All of a sudden CSSC was bossing the game, with Dylan Doerksen especially influential pulling the strings from center mid. Their domination was rewarded early in the half when newcomer Devin Dolbolo chased down an over hit cross and fed it back to Ian Hudson. His cross fell kindly to Niall Harney who kept his composure and fired in to the bottom corner. Game on. Tragically, the two goal cushion was restored when Grunthal worked a tidy give and go off a deep throw in and bent a lovely curler into the far top corner. But CSSC refused to go away. Local thespian and champion of recycling, Kamal Chioua, latched on to a through ball, shrugged off his defender and stabbed the ball into the far corner to give the staunch home support renewed hope. Then the turning point. Ian Hudson managed to find a rare pocket of space for his ageing legs and lobbed the Grunthal defense, sending K. Chioua sprinting clear. The trailing defender clipped Chioua's ankles a clear couple of yards in the box, but the ref took the easy way out and called the foul just outside. Rather than an almost certain equalizer, Walden's low rocket was blocked by the mass of defenders. As CSSC pushed more men up front in an increasingly tumultuous attempt to equalize they conceded two late goals to create a score that Gruntal, perhaps charitably, admitted flattered them.
Man of the Match: Drowning our sorrows in the friendly confines of the Grove, or in Pete Hudson's case eating them away with a late night carrot cake, there was a wide variety of man of the match nominees. Ali brought a remarkable degree of coherence to a massive subs bench that was looking raggedly chaotic in the first half. Colin Kinsella played with the classy assurance of a composed Michael Carrick, Dylan Doerksen had a stormer of a second half and Kamal was a predatory handful all night. However, not a single member of this lengthy list came for post match beverages, so the award goes to CSSC's newest university graduate and opening goal getter Niall Harney.