2022 Match Reports
FINAL
Stonewall 1 - 1 CSSC (CSSC wins 7-6 on penalties)
Would CSSC write a Cindarella story the likes of which has not been seen since Don't Know What You've Got (til it's gone) hit the top of the charts? To do so, it would have to overcome top of the table Stonewall in a match up that would have brought memories of 1990 heavy weight tilts in the Winnipeg Soccer League for the veterans of CSSC past Penner, Kinsella, and Sewart on hand to check out the climax of the 2022 outdoor season. The wind was shoving a cold knife through even the thickest layer of clothing in a very late evening kickoff, but several CSSC players opted for an intimidating "no tights" outfit under the stylish new light blue uniforms.
It didn't appear like the division table was a liar in the early minutes. CSSC was pinned back and were fortunate to see a close range effort from about 12 yards pumped right at a well positioned Jules in the CSSC goal. But then against the run of play CSSC put together a nice string of quick passes to advance the ball up the right side to Niall Harney. He put a tasty shimmy on his marker to create enough space for what was either a cross that was taken by the wind and deposited right into the top corner or the greatest lob ever seen on Waverley field 2. We'll insist on the latter. Much to the consternation of the CSSC bench, crucial members of the team started to go down. Todd Chernomas' hamstrings, that had held together so remarkably through the previous two playoff rounds, gave way. Rock solid centre back Walden's hip allowed him 25 minutes of attack destroying action but then he was forced to limp off. Protecting a one goal lead for 75 minutes was always going to be a tall order and so it proved. Jules was forced into a remarkable diving save to turn around an absolute cannon destined for the low corner from all of 35 yards. But Stonewall found the equalizer their play most likely merited. A cross from the Stonewall right floated to the near post where an unmarked striker managed a very deft back header that looped over Jules and into the far corner. A goal just before the half is a "terrible time to concede" according to just about every commentator ever.
As the skies opened up and wet snow began to slash horizontally across those brave enough to stay for the second half, CSSC grew more and more into the game. Having said that, the only reason they didn't find themselves behind was that Phil Amorim managed to head off the line when a dangerous cross skidded off defensive tower Dan's rain slicked hair and was arrowing toward the CSSC goal. To make matters worse, Mark Hudson, who had been biting into the Stonewall midfield all game was also forced onto the sidelines with yet another problematic hammy. Note to CSSC: next year get new hamstrings. But the field was gradually tilting in CSSC's favour. An Amorim cross field ball found Penner, whose classy first touch took him behind the Stonewall defense. He drove a low shot towards the far corner that the keeper got a hand to, but then was forced to watch as the ball slowly rolled along the goal line to be smuggled away by the defense, inches before Dyl could arrive on the scene to prod home what would have been easiest of tap ins.
Things looked to really be turning CSSC's way when Dyl turned the last man and sprinted clear toward the Stonewall box only to be yanked to the ground by the beaten full back. Much to the surprise of every single person, including the Stonewall players, the ref didn't have the courage to show the red card the offense warrented. In response to the mass CSSC protests at the greatest injustice since a poor monkey was mistakenly hanged by the people of Hartlepool during the Napoleonic War under the mistaken impression it was an enemy French sailor, the ref instructed CSSC captain Chioua to "read the rulebook." If the ref had followed his own advice he would have discovered that: "denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick" is a sending off offense. Rules of the game, page 111. CSSC was forced to suck up its anger and prepare for 30 minutes of OT.
In which CSSC definitely carved out the better chances. In the first half, Matt Loxley won yet another ball in the midfield, this time wide on the right at about centre. He created a little pocket of space with a crafty drag bag before curving a perfect ball around the last defender and into Dyl's breaking run. Dyl charged down the right and delivered a low cross that a hurtling Stef Hodges one timed ferociously toward goal only for the Stonewall keeper to thrust out a trailing leg and deflect it just past the post. In the second half, Andrew Woolford, tucking in from his wide right position found himself at the top of the box with a bit of space and the ball falling onto his left foot. However, visions of winning OT goal heroics were not to be realized as the Stonewall keeper thwarted his volley. Off to penalties.
After both CSSC and Stonewall went 4 out of 5 in the shootout, it was on to sudden death. Jules had already put a scare into Stonewall in the 6th round, when he got a strong hand to a penalty but it snuck inside the post. But he would go one better by holding firm and getting two hands to a shot high to his right. With CSSC shooting second, Amorim strode to the spot knowing that a goal would seal the deal. With nerves of steel he pumped a shot high down the middle to secure CSSC a long overdue outdoor playoff win! Cue scenes of bedlam and joy recorded in the video below.
Man of the Match: There is no way we're going to give it to any one person after this team effort, but for CSSC's two last goals of the year, Niall Harney (pictured below in his stylish GPE hoodie) walks away with the Conn Smythe playoff MVP
Stonewall 1 - 1 CSSC (CSSC wins 7-6 on penalties)
Would CSSC write a Cindarella story the likes of which has not been seen since Don't Know What You've Got (til it's gone) hit the top of the charts? To do so, it would have to overcome top of the table Stonewall in a match up that would have brought memories of 1990 heavy weight tilts in the Winnipeg Soccer League for the veterans of CSSC past Penner, Kinsella, and Sewart on hand to check out the climax of the 2022 outdoor season. The wind was shoving a cold knife through even the thickest layer of clothing in a very late evening kickoff, but several CSSC players opted for an intimidating "no tights" outfit under the stylish new light blue uniforms.
It didn't appear like the division table was a liar in the early minutes. CSSC was pinned back and were fortunate to see a close range effort from about 12 yards pumped right at a well positioned Jules in the CSSC goal. But then against the run of play CSSC put together a nice string of quick passes to advance the ball up the right side to Niall Harney. He put a tasty shimmy on his marker to create enough space for what was either a cross that was taken by the wind and deposited right into the top corner or the greatest lob ever seen on Waverley field 2. We'll insist on the latter. Much to the consternation of the CSSC bench, crucial members of the team started to go down. Todd Chernomas' hamstrings, that had held together so remarkably through the previous two playoff rounds, gave way. Rock solid centre back Walden's hip allowed him 25 minutes of attack destroying action but then he was forced to limp off. Protecting a one goal lead for 75 minutes was always going to be a tall order and so it proved. Jules was forced into a remarkable diving save to turn around an absolute cannon destined for the low corner from all of 35 yards. But Stonewall found the equalizer their play most likely merited. A cross from the Stonewall right floated to the near post where an unmarked striker managed a very deft back header that looped over Jules and into the far corner. A goal just before the half is a "terrible time to concede" according to just about every commentator ever.
As the skies opened up and wet snow began to slash horizontally across those brave enough to stay for the second half, CSSC grew more and more into the game. Having said that, the only reason they didn't find themselves behind was that Phil Amorim managed to head off the line when a dangerous cross skidded off defensive tower Dan's rain slicked hair and was arrowing toward the CSSC goal. To make matters worse, Mark Hudson, who had been biting into the Stonewall midfield all game was also forced onto the sidelines with yet another problematic hammy. Note to CSSC: next year get new hamstrings. But the field was gradually tilting in CSSC's favour. An Amorim cross field ball found Penner, whose classy first touch took him behind the Stonewall defense. He drove a low shot towards the far corner that the keeper got a hand to, but then was forced to watch as the ball slowly rolled along the goal line to be smuggled away by the defense, inches before Dyl could arrive on the scene to prod home what would have been easiest of tap ins.
Things looked to really be turning CSSC's way when Dyl turned the last man and sprinted clear toward the Stonewall box only to be yanked to the ground by the beaten full back. Much to the surprise of every single person, including the Stonewall players, the ref didn't have the courage to show the red card the offense warrented. In response to the mass CSSC protests at the greatest injustice since a poor monkey was mistakenly hanged by the people of Hartlepool during the Napoleonic War under the mistaken impression it was an enemy French sailor, the ref instructed CSSC captain Chioua to "read the rulebook." If the ref had followed his own advice he would have discovered that: "denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick" is a sending off offense. Rules of the game, page 111. CSSC was forced to suck up its anger and prepare for 30 minutes of OT.
In which CSSC definitely carved out the better chances. In the first half, Matt Loxley won yet another ball in the midfield, this time wide on the right at about centre. He created a little pocket of space with a crafty drag bag before curving a perfect ball around the last defender and into Dyl's breaking run. Dyl charged down the right and delivered a low cross that a hurtling Stef Hodges one timed ferociously toward goal only for the Stonewall keeper to thrust out a trailing leg and deflect it just past the post. In the second half, Andrew Woolford, tucking in from his wide right position found himself at the top of the box with a bit of space and the ball falling onto his left foot. However, visions of winning OT goal heroics were not to be realized as the Stonewall keeper thwarted his volley. Off to penalties.
After both CSSC and Stonewall went 4 out of 5 in the shootout, it was on to sudden death. Jules had already put a scare into Stonewall in the 6th round, when he got a strong hand to a penalty but it snuck inside the post. But he would go one better by holding firm and getting two hands to a shot high to his right. With CSSC shooting second, Amorim strode to the spot knowing that a goal would seal the deal. With nerves of steel he pumped a shot high down the middle to secure CSSC a long overdue outdoor playoff win! Cue scenes of bedlam and joy recorded in the video below.
Man of the Match: There is no way we're going to give it to any one person after this team effort, but for CSSC's two last goals of the year, Niall Harney (pictured below in his stylish GPE hoodie) walks away with the Conn Smythe playoff MVP
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Semifinal
Southside 2 - 3 CSSC
Not since a thrown together band of misfits named Guardians of the Galaxy took on Thanos has the concept of the underdog been so appropriate. Southside finished the year a massive 17 points above CSSC and their two forwards boasted a combined 46 goals in 18 games. Conveniently CSSC has a pretty solid back line and so it was set to be a classic match up of great offense vs stingy defense.
There was little early in the first half to set either set of fans' hearts aflutter - as both teams' talented midfields attempted to assert dominance. There were a couple of long range efforts but nothing of sufficient quality to overly trouble either keeper. The game broke open when Dyl collected the ball about 30 yards out and charged toward the Southside box. The defender did well to force Dyl wide to the end line, but Dyl managed to drive a low shot across the keeper that was parried into the path of a hard charging JDB, who bundled the ball and himself into the back of the net. Could CSSC upset the form book? Former CSSC mainstay, and sports gambling expert, Nic Ziffarelli was sufficiently convinced by the payout for a CSSC win that he put three days worth of poker earnings on the match.
The second half could not have started off better for CSSC. A long ball was pumped over the top, putting the Southside defense in a world of trouble. The last defender's attempted clearance was charged down by Todd Chernomas, and the kindly bounce left him one on one with the keeper, over whom he calmly lifted the ball into the back of the net. The massed CSSC fans in the West Waverly stand dared to dream. It was almost three when a delightful sweeping diagonal ball from new signing Dan cleared the last defender's despairing leap and launched JDB in on the keeper. JDB's header to control the cross created a 50/50 between him and the keeper from which neither backed off, resulting in the keeper smothering the ball and a massive collision between the two players. Both of had to leave the game - Jude with a badly swollen ankle and the Southside keeper some worrying wooziness.
With about 15 minutes left on the clock, and CSSC's defense looking solid, Southside gave themselves a lifeline with a corner that was met by a towering header into the bottom corner. They seized that lifeline with both hands when an awkward low cross into the CSSC box took an unfortunate deflection and struck Walden's outstretched arm. Penalty. Southside's super star number 7 stepped up and drove a low shot to his right, but Jules guessed correctly and got down to block the shot, only to see it bounce right out to number 7, who had a gaping net to slot the rebound into.
A hard fought lead was conceded in about 5 short minutes, but rather than fold, CSSC stormed back for what might be the greatest, latest goal since this heartstopper. CSSC won a throw in deep in Southside territory. Chernomas' throw found Matt Loxley, who held off his defender and lobbed a dangerous cross into the Southside box where Niall Harney took a touch to shift the ball onto his favoured right foot and scissored an unstoppable volley into the far side of the net from about 15 yards out. So late was the goal that the final whistle interrupted CSSCs goal celebration, ensuring that Harney had won the semi with literally the last kick of the game. As an understandably dejected Soutside slumped to the ground, a delighted CSSC was jumping for joy in a tight circle around Harney.
Man of the Match: The entire crew played superhero tough. CSSC's attack sprung to life. It's center midfield went toe to toe with Southside's talented engine room, the wide players produced two vital goals, and the D didn't allow a team that scored an unbelievable 77 goals during the regular season a single marker from open play. But when you score the winner with the very last touch of the game, surely you get man of the match. Nice work Niall!
Southside 2 - 3 CSSC
Not since a thrown together band of misfits named Guardians of the Galaxy took on Thanos has the concept of the underdog been so appropriate. Southside finished the year a massive 17 points above CSSC and their two forwards boasted a combined 46 goals in 18 games. Conveniently CSSC has a pretty solid back line and so it was set to be a classic match up of great offense vs stingy defense.
There was little early in the first half to set either set of fans' hearts aflutter - as both teams' talented midfields attempted to assert dominance. There were a couple of long range efforts but nothing of sufficient quality to overly trouble either keeper. The game broke open when Dyl collected the ball about 30 yards out and charged toward the Southside box. The defender did well to force Dyl wide to the end line, but Dyl managed to drive a low shot across the keeper that was parried into the path of a hard charging JDB, who bundled the ball and himself into the back of the net. Could CSSC upset the form book? Former CSSC mainstay, and sports gambling expert, Nic Ziffarelli was sufficiently convinced by the payout for a CSSC win that he put three days worth of poker earnings on the match.
The second half could not have started off better for CSSC. A long ball was pumped over the top, putting the Southside defense in a world of trouble. The last defender's attempted clearance was charged down by Todd Chernomas, and the kindly bounce left him one on one with the keeper, over whom he calmly lifted the ball into the back of the net. The massed CSSC fans in the West Waverly stand dared to dream. It was almost three when a delightful sweeping diagonal ball from new signing Dan cleared the last defender's despairing leap and launched JDB in on the keeper. JDB's header to control the cross created a 50/50 between him and the keeper from which neither backed off, resulting in the keeper smothering the ball and a massive collision between the two players. Both of had to leave the game - Jude with a badly swollen ankle and the Southside keeper some worrying wooziness.
With about 15 minutes left on the clock, and CSSC's defense looking solid, Southside gave themselves a lifeline with a corner that was met by a towering header into the bottom corner. They seized that lifeline with both hands when an awkward low cross into the CSSC box took an unfortunate deflection and struck Walden's outstretched arm. Penalty. Southside's super star number 7 stepped up and drove a low shot to his right, but Jules guessed correctly and got down to block the shot, only to see it bounce right out to number 7, who had a gaping net to slot the rebound into.
A hard fought lead was conceded in about 5 short minutes, but rather than fold, CSSC stormed back for what might be the greatest, latest goal since this heartstopper. CSSC won a throw in deep in Southside territory. Chernomas' throw found Matt Loxley, who held off his defender and lobbed a dangerous cross into the Southside box where Niall Harney took a touch to shift the ball onto his favoured right foot and scissored an unstoppable volley into the far side of the net from about 15 yards out. So late was the goal that the final whistle interrupted CSSCs goal celebration, ensuring that Harney had won the semi with literally the last kick of the game. As an understandably dejected Soutside slumped to the ground, a delighted CSSC was jumping for joy in a tight circle around Harney.
Man of the Match: The entire crew played superhero tough. CSSC's attack sprung to life. It's center midfield went toe to toe with Southside's talented engine room, the wide players produced two vital goals, and the D didn't allow a team that scored an unbelievable 77 goals during the regular season a single marker from open play. But when you score the winner with the very last touch of the game, surely you get man of the match. Nice work Niall!
Playoffs First Round
CSSC 2 - 1 St. James
The middle of Div 5 was tighter than Will Ferrell's white pants. A three way tie for 4th place was settled in CSSC's favour on account of its superior goal difference, resulting in a first round playoff tilt against the 5th place (but on the same points) St. James squad. Given the very evenly matched sides, a quick glance at the 5 subs chatting away on the CSSC bench made for comforting viewing compared to the 2 subs patrolling the St. James sideline.
CSSC was on the front foot right from the get go. Todd Chernomas had already laced a long range sighter right into the keepers belly, when CSSC made it 1-0 on a delightful sweeping move that ended with Dylan splitting the St. James defense with a diagonal ball to find Van Penner marauding up from his left back position. Penner took a touch, drew the keeper, and slotted home. Other chances followed, the best of which was probably when JDB was put through in an almost identical manner to Penner's earlier goal, but this time the keeper charged out to smother the shot. But St. James has some lovely ball playing midfielders and it was unlikely that CSSC was going to keep them at bay forever. The CSSC bench sensed disaster when defensive confusion reigned prior to a St. James corner and sure enough a free header was dispatched from close range with a minimum of fuss. If, as is often said, performance at set pieces is the true judge of a manager, Hudson was found wanting. But rather than hang their heads in dismay, CSSC roared back with an equalizer of some quality. On the right of midfield, Devin found Todd in a pocket of space about 30 yards out. He pulled a delightful drag back to create enough space to pick out Dyl, lurking just off the shoulder of the last defender. His canny first touch took him past the St. James back line and he rifled home low into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
The second half featured far less incident. CSSC's defense, martialled commandingly by Walden at centre back restricted St. James to a barrage of crosses and corners that were either punched clear by Jules' (whose son has just been called up to the Canada national U21 volleyball team - congrats!!) gigantic fists or headed away by Dan. As St. James started to tire late the game, chances opened up for a CSSC counter. Todd was inches away from the goal of the season when his outside of the boot, dipping volley from 25 yards just skimmed the top of the bar. The game could, and perhaps should, have been made safe when an amighty scramble in the St. James box resulted in at least three close range attempts at a keeperless St. James goal, but none of them could find a way past the massed wall of defenders throwing themselves in the way. In the end, not even super sub Donny Campbell, thrown on for St. James in the dying minutes to salvage the draw, could find a way to change the result. Off to the semi's for an encounter with high scoring Southside.
Man of the Match. Everyone played a stormer, but there were three real standouts. Walden was rock solid at the back, organizing a back line that limited the St. James danger to crosses and set pieces. Van Penner dominated the left flank all night and took his goal wonderfully. And a goal and an assist from Dyl underlined his attacking threat. From those three, let's go for Penner, who also put back some pints at the Grove (kitchen closed) after the game.
CSSC 2 - 1 St. James
The middle of Div 5 was tighter than Will Ferrell's white pants. A three way tie for 4th place was settled in CSSC's favour on account of its superior goal difference, resulting in a first round playoff tilt against the 5th place (but on the same points) St. James squad. Given the very evenly matched sides, a quick glance at the 5 subs chatting away on the CSSC bench made for comforting viewing compared to the 2 subs patrolling the St. James sideline.
CSSC was on the front foot right from the get go. Todd Chernomas had already laced a long range sighter right into the keepers belly, when CSSC made it 1-0 on a delightful sweeping move that ended with Dylan splitting the St. James defense with a diagonal ball to find Van Penner marauding up from his left back position. Penner took a touch, drew the keeper, and slotted home. Other chances followed, the best of which was probably when JDB was put through in an almost identical manner to Penner's earlier goal, but this time the keeper charged out to smother the shot. But St. James has some lovely ball playing midfielders and it was unlikely that CSSC was going to keep them at bay forever. The CSSC bench sensed disaster when defensive confusion reigned prior to a St. James corner and sure enough a free header was dispatched from close range with a minimum of fuss. If, as is often said, performance at set pieces is the true judge of a manager, Hudson was found wanting. But rather than hang their heads in dismay, CSSC roared back with an equalizer of some quality. On the right of midfield, Devin found Todd in a pocket of space about 30 yards out. He pulled a delightful drag back to create enough space to pick out Dyl, lurking just off the shoulder of the last defender. His canny first touch took him past the St. James back line and he rifled home low into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
The second half featured far less incident. CSSC's defense, martialled commandingly by Walden at centre back restricted St. James to a barrage of crosses and corners that were either punched clear by Jules' (whose son has just been called up to the Canada national U21 volleyball team - congrats!!) gigantic fists or headed away by Dan. As St. James started to tire late the game, chances opened up for a CSSC counter. Todd was inches away from the goal of the season when his outside of the boot, dipping volley from 25 yards just skimmed the top of the bar. The game could, and perhaps should, have been made safe when an amighty scramble in the St. James box resulted in at least three close range attempts at a keeperless St. James goal, but none of them could find a way past the massed wall of defenders throwing themselves in the way. In the end, not even super sub Donny Campbell, thrown on for St. James in the dying minutes to salvage the draw, could find a way to change the result. Off to the semi's for an encounter with high scoring Southside.
Man of the Match. Everyone played a stormer, but there were three real standouts. Walden was rock solid at the back, organizing a back line that limited the St. James danger to crosses and set pieces. Van Penner dominated the left flank all night and took his goal wonderfully. And a goal and an assist from Dyl underlined his attacking threat. From those three, let's go for Penner, who also put back some pints at the Grove (kitchen closed) after the game.
CSSC 7 - 1 Scrubs
CSSC's regular match reporter was busy overseeing (and by that we mean doing nothing helpful) excavation work at his home so the match report is brought to you by hat trick hero Jude Dimond Bauer - and a tremendous job he's done of it.
A chilly Thursday in September was the setting for the final regular season match for Crescentwood Saturday. There was much on the line, as CSSC could climb as high as 4th or fall as low as 6th depending on the nights results. The pregame atmosphere was wrought with nerves, as only 10 Players were able to take the field - one of whom, was an untested reserve keeper from Landmark. This feeling quickly subsided, as the opponents, last placed and aptly named Scrubs United could only field 9 for kickoff.
Some solid possession play created an early chance for Zach Chioua, who tucked in a fine first time finish - a strong start. However, the 9 opponents quickly became 13 as their lineup was bolstered by reinforcements, increasing the tension. What followed was somewhat of a mystery: JDB, Zach, Bryce, Niall and Matt all had numerous chance to score, most of which failed to hit the target and left the keeper untroubled. This led to a frustrating first half for the defence and midfield, who kept Scrubs quiet but were consistently let down by the makeshift CSSC front line. A late appearance from Devin Doerksen helped control the game and hold the ball, but did not aid in finding the back of the net.
The first half came to a close and the score had remained one-nil, mediocre from the hosts.The half time team talk consisted of: "We have to score more", "If only the net was bigger", "We've set the record for giving the opponents the most goal kicks", all of which were accurate analyses.
The outset of the second half was a nervy one for CSSC, as Scrubs put together a few chances. Fortunately, substitute keeper Caleb proved equal to the task. The pressure subsided, as Zach picked up the ball, dribbled through a number of challenges, and was taken down just outside the box. What followed was truly magisterial: an outside of the boot, right footed trivela into the top corner that would have made the legendary Ricardo Quaresma proud, gave CSSC a more comfortable 2-0 lead. 2 quickly became 3, as a neat give and go from Zach and JDB led to the man of the moment completing his hat trick.
At this point the floodgates were truly open. An absurdly high line was exploited by a ball over the top that put JDB one on one with the keeper, who dribbled past and tucked away for his first of the night - an identical goal to one he scored just two nights prior. He added to his tally not long after, fighting off a defender in the opposition box and curling a shot past the keeper for number 2. Another ball over the top gave the discouraged Scrubs backline more troubles. JDB surprised everyone watching, including himself, when he faked the shot with his right, dropped the last defender, and buried home with his still ailing left foot. The second hat trick of the night, Crescentwood had truly found its shooting boots. What should have been a comfortable closing to the game was somewhat tarnished, as Mark Hudson, in true socialist spirit shared the wealth. His mis-hit clearance fell straight to a Scrubs attacker who put one just out of reach of our keeper to capitalize on a rare mistake from the veteran. Devin closed out the scoring, after being played through by JDB, blasting one past the keeper from a tight angle. A well deserved goal to finish off the night.
And so the game concluded, a 7-1 win to cap off the season, ensuring CSSC of a fourth placed finish. Theoretically meaning an easier opponent in next weeks playoff fixture. Post game drinks conversation consisted of a recap of Niall's very own tour de France, the usual Hudson criticism of the English monarchy, and Mark Hudson's rant on what does it mean to be a winner.
The lack of discussion of a Man of the Match leaves this writer in a predicament, who has been tasked with taking a more analytical approach to the decision.
Bryce led the team in accumulated expected goals and assists, taking the most shots and creating a number of chances for his fellow forwards. But his striking of a ball was more in line with an NFL place kicker than a clinical finisher. Not the best impact on the night, but a good sign for future production. Mark Hudson led the team in passing and completion percentage, but while filling in at the back was restricted from having an impact further up the pitch. Matt Loxley dominated the midfield, leading the game in tackles and interceptions, as well as ball recoveries, consistently breaking up the opposition attacks and moving the ball to the forward line. In truth, all 11 players on the night would be worthy winners, who without substitutes came out large victors, except of course Sean Brown who left early claiming he had better things to do.
Ultimately the decision came down to two, Zach and JDB. Zach was undoubtably CSSC's biggest threat, dribbling past opponents, creating chances, winning fouls, and scoring a hat trick. JDB was less involved in the overall play, but more involved in the goalscoring, racking up 3 goals and 2 assists.
This leads the writer into 2 philisophical debates, Firstly, what has greater value, contributing to goals 1-3, or to goals 3-7. The latter is objectivly more and has a larger impact on the scoreline, but one could argue they could not have taken place without the former. The second dilema is whether the writer can unilaterally proclaim himself man of the match, and if he would ever be invited back on the team if he did so. As such, the award shall be awarded jointly, which seems appropriate considering both strikers bagged hat tricks, and contributed to the rest of the game in their own ways. (ed. Jude actually gets the award. Putting back three Juicii's at the Yellow Dog and writing the match report gives him the edge on the day).
On to the playoffs…
CSSC's regular match reporter was busy overseeing (and by that we mean doing nothing helpful) excavation work at his home so the match report is brought to you by hat trick hero Jude Dimond Bauer - and a tremendous job he's done of it.
A chilly Thursday in September was the setting for the final regular season match for Crescentwood Saturday. There was much on the line, as CSSC could climb as high as 4th or fall as low as 6th depending on the nights results. The pregame atmosphere was wrought with nerves, as only 10 Players were able to take the field - one of whom, was an untested reserve keeper from Landmark. This feeling quickly subsided, as the opponents, last placed and aptly named Scrubs United could only field 9 for kickoff.
Some solid possession play created an early chance for Zach Chioua, who tucked in a fine first time finish - a strong start. However, the 9 opponents quickly became 13 as their lineup was bolstered by reinforcements, increasing the tension. What followed was somewhat of a mystery: JDB, Zach, Bryce, Niall and Matt all had numerous chance to score, most of which failed to hit the target and left the keeper untroubled. This led to a frustrating first half for the defence and midfield, who kept Scrubs quiet but were consistently let down by the makeshift CSSC front line. A late appearance from Devin Doerksen helped control the game and hold the ball, but did not aid in finding the back of the net.
The first half came to a close and the score had remained one-nil, mediocre from the hosts.The half time team talk consisted of: "We have to score more", "If only the net was bigger", "We've set the record for giving the opponents the most goal kicks", all of which were accurate analyses.
The outset of the second half was a nervy one for CSSC, as Scrubs put together a few chances. Fortunately, substitute keeper Caleb proved equal to the task. The pressure subsided, as Zach picked up the ball, dribbled through a number of challenges, and was taken down just outside the box. What followed was truly magisterial: an outside of the boot, right footed trivela into the top corner that would have made the legendary Ricardo Quaresma proud, gave CSSC a more comfortable 2-0 lead. 2 quickly became 3, as a neat give and go from Zach and JDB led to the man of the moment completing his hat trick.
At this point the floodgates were truly open. An absurdly high line was exploited by a ball over the top that put JDB one on one with the keeper, who dribbled past and tucked away for his first of the night - an identical goal to one he scored just two nights prior. He added to his tally not long after, fighting off a defender in the opposition box and curling a shot past the keeper for number 2. Another ball over the top gave the discouraged Scrubs backline more troubles. JDB surprised everyone watching, including himself, when he faked the shot with his right, dropped the last defender, and buried home with his still ailing left foot. The second hat trick of the night, Crescentwood had truly found its shooting boots. What should have been a comfortable closing to the game was somewhat tarnished, as Mark Hudson, in true socialist spirit shared the wealth. His mis-hit clearance fell straight to a Scrubs attacker who put one just out of reach of our keeper to capitalize on a rare mistake from the veteran. Devin closed out the scoring, after being played through by JDB, blasting one past the keeper from a tight angle. A well deserved goal to finish off the night.
And so the game concluded, a 7-1 win to cap off the season, ensuring CSSC of a fourth placed finish. Theoretically meaning an easier opponent in next weeks playoff fixture. Post game drinks conversation consisted of a recap of Niall's very own tour de France, the usual Hudson criticism of the English monarchy, and Mark Hudson's rant on what does it mean to be a winner.
The lack of discussion of a Man of the Match leaves this writer in a predicament, who has been tasked with taking a more analytical approach to the decision.
Bryce led the team in accumulated expected goals and assists, taking the most shots and creating a number of chances for his fellow forwards. But his striking of a ball was more in line with an NFL place kicker than a clinical finisher. Not the best impact on the night, but a good sign for future production. Mark Hudson led the team in passing and completion percentage, but while filling in at the back was restricted from having an impact further up the pitch. Matt Loxley dominated the midfield, leading the game in tackles and interceptions, as well as ball recoveries, consistently breaking up the opposition attacks and moving the ball to the forward line. In truth, all 11 players on the night would be worthy winners, who without substitutes came out large victors, except of course Sean Brown who left early claiming he had better things to do.
Ultimately the decision came down to two, Zach and JDB. Zach was undoubtably CSSC's biggest threat, dribbling past opponents, creating chances, winning fouls, and scoring a hat trick. JDB was less involved in the overall play, but more involved in the goalscoring, racking up 3 goals and 2 assists.
This leads the writer into 2 philisophical debates, Firstly, what has greater value, contributing to goals 1-3, or to goals 3-7. The latter is objectivly more and has a larger impact on the scoreline, but one could argue they could not have taken place without the former. The second dilema is whether the writer can unilaterally proclaim himself man of the match, and if he would ever be invited back on the team if he did so. As such, the award shall be awarded jointly, which seems appropriate considering both strikers bagged hat tricks, and contributed to the rest of the game in their own ways. (ed. Jude actually gets the award. Putting back three Juicii's at the Yellow Dog and writing the match report gives him the edge on the day).
On to the playoffs…
Azzurri 0 - 6 CSSC
With two games to go, it was all to play for at the tail end of the 2022 season. CSSC could finish as high as fourth or as low as 7th and out of the playoffs. The line up on a chilly late Tuesday night was looking particularly strong for CSSC while Azzurri could only muster a single, lonely sub who had no one to talk to.
CSSC started very brightly and spurned a few chances before Matt Loxley slid a delightful defense splitting pass through to Todd Chernomas, whose dodgy calves held together long enough to rap his initial shot off the base of the near post, latch on to the rebound and fire it into the empty net. Then Zach Chioua started to turn on the ritz. A bit of wing wizardry out on the left got him to the byline where he delivered a perfect low cross to the onrushing Stef Hodges to tap home. For a follow up act, Zach collected the ball on the right drove into the box and fired a low, tight angle shot across the keeper and just inside the far post. 3 0 at the half and if CSSC is being honest it should have been a few more. Missing the playoffs was starting to look less and less likely.
Fans of symmetry, CSSC ensured that the second half looked a lot like the first. Stef got a goal in there somewhere but the match reporter was too busy yucking it up with CSSC global ambassador Ali Chioua to really notice how it happened. CSSC went all route 1 when Jules, playing a lock down game between the sticks, punted a massive goal kick up field that eluded the last Azzurri defender. JDB latched on to the bouncing ball, kept a steely nerve when the keeper threw his gloves in the air to distract him, and calmly slotted home. Then it was time for more dynamic forward play from Zach who beat about four Azzurri defenders in the box, rode one very obvious foul, and squared a pass to brother Kamal, who slotted home. And that was about that. A win so comfortable that CSSC could afford to rest star striker Todd Chernomas' aching calves so they could fight another day.
Man of the Match: A goal and two assists plus a highlight reel dribbling performance that even drew praise from legendary ball wizard and father Ali should probably earn Zach the award so I guess we'll give it to him even though he didn't come out to the Yellow Dog for beers.
With two games to go, it was all to play for at the tail end of the 2022 season. CSSC could finish as high as fourth or as low as 7th and out of the playoffs. The line up on a chilly late Tuesday night was looking particularly strong for CSSC while Azzurri could only muster a single, lonely sub who had no one to talk to.
CSSC started very brightly and spurned a few chances before Matt Loxley slid a delightful defense splitting pass through to Todd Chernomas, whose dodgy calves held together long enough to rap his initial shot off the base of the near post, latch on to the rebound and fire it into the empty net. Then Zach Chioua started to turn on the ritz. A bit of wing wizardry out on the left got him to the byline where he delivered a perfect low cross to the onrushing Stef Hodges to tap home. For a follow up act, Zach collected the ball on the right drove into the box and fired a low, tight angle shot across the keeper and just inside the far post. 3 0 at the half and if CSSC is being honest it should have been a few more. Missing the playoffs was starting to look less and less likely.
Fans of symmetry, CSSC ensured that the second half looked a lot like the first. Stef got a goal in there somewhere but the match reporter was too busy yucking it up with CSSC global ambassador Ali Chioua to really notice how it happened. CSSC went all route 1 when Jules, playing a lock down game between the sticks, punted a massive goal kick up field that eluded the last Azzurri defender. JDB latched on to the bouncing ball, kept a steely nerve when the keeper threw his gloves in the air to distract him, and calmly slotted home. Then it was time for more dynamic forward play from Zach who beat about four Azzurri defenders in the box, rode one very obvious foul, and squared a pass to brother Kamal, who slotted home. And that was about that. A win so comfortable that CSSC could afford to rest star striker Todd Chernomas' aching calves so they could fight another day.
Man of the Match: A goal and two assists plus a highlight reel dribbling performance that even drew praise from legendary ball wizard and father Ali should probably earn Zach the award so I guess we'll give it to him even though he didn't come out to the Yellow Dog for beers.
Punjab 5 - 1 CSSC
On the surface of things, CSSC's line up was looking a whole lot stronger than the previous matches. Bob Walden gave us an actual keeper and the bench could boast three full substitutes. However, scratching the surface showed how precarious those numbers were, with two players, Erwan and Stef suiting up after prolonged vacation stints, and two others, Andrew and Mark, nursing muscle complaints a sprint away from becoming a real problem.
Things started out very well for CSSC. Two excellent chances were created before the game was twenty minutes old, both of which fell to KD. The first arrived when he cleverly latched on to a short header back from the Punjab sweeper. He lobbed the onrushing keeper but the ball didn't drop enough to nestle in the back of the net. The second came after Dylan caused trouble down the right and cut a low cross to meet KD's far post run, but in stretching to get a foot on the ball, KD could only stab it into the keeper's arms from very close range. There were other chances too. Stef and Bryce had dangerous shots from the top of the box go just wide and KD's curler from 20 yards was tipped over the bar. But CSSC was playing a dangerous game. With three defenders against three speedy and skilful Punjab forwards, there was no cover for any mistakes. It was a formation that was punished with two identical, quickfire goals. Balls over the top were collected by strikers - the first wide on Punjab right, the second on the left. On both occasions they managed to get a step on the CSSC defender and fire home with low precise strikes. The third goal came after a misplaced CSSC pass deep in its own zone resulted in a two on one break, which Punjab converted thanks to a blatantly obvious offside pass that the referee either failed to notice or chose to ignore. CSSC got the goal their first half attacking play deserved when Devin picked up the ball at the top of the box, took a touch to shift it onto his favoured right foot and smashed a rocket into the top right corner. A goal just before the half. A catalyst for a comeback?
Sadly, it was not to be. Most of the second half was spent with CSSC managing to just deal with Punjab's tactic of pumping long diagonal balls over the top to its very dangerous strikers - a tactic that paid off with two more goals. But the other feature of the half was the alarming decrease in healthy CSSC players. Stef and Erwan both hobbled off with cramp. Andrew's calf was stretched to breaking. Walden limped out of the net with a knee issue. And Bryce's ankle started to swell alarmingly after one of Punjab's many number 7s (they also had a couple of 6s and 11s, which was a bit confusing) lunged into an extra violent retaliation tackle that would have been a straight red for any reasonable ref, but only earned a cautionary yellow from this fan of laissez faire officiating. 5-1. Not great.
Man of the Match: There were really only two contenders on a night to forget for CSSC. Mark Hudson played a lock down game at the back and then stepped between the posts after Walden went down to provide the CSSC fans with some entertainment in an all action keeping display reminiscent of peak David James (particularly 0:45). But the award goes to Matt Loxley who worked to break up attack after attack in the midfield. There's no quit in Loxley.
On the surface of things, CSSC's line up was looking a whole lot stronger than the previous matches. Bob Walden gave us an actual keeper and the bench could boast three full substitutes. However, scratching the surface showed how precarious those numbers were, with two players, Erwan and Stef suiting up after prolonged vacation stints, and two others, Andrew and Mark, nursing muscle complaints a sprint away from becoming a real problem.
Things started out very well for CSSC. Two excellent chances were created before the game was twenty minutes old, both of which fell to KD. The first arrived when he cleverly latched on to a short header back from the Punjab sweeper. He lobbed the onrushing keeper but the ball didn't drop enough to nestle in the back of the net. The second came after Dylan caused trouble down the right and cut a low cross to meet KD's far post run, but in stretching to get a foot on the ball, KD could only stab it into the keeper's arms from very close range. There were other chances too. Stef and Bryce had dangerous shots from the top of the box go just wide and KD's curler from 20 yards was tipped over the bar. But CSSC was playing a dangerous game. With three defenders against three speedy and skilful Punjab forwards, there was no cover for any mistakes. It was a formation that was punished with two identical, quickfire goals. Balls over the top were collected by strikers - the first wide on Punjab right, the second on the left. On both occasions they managed to get a step on the CSSC defender and fire home with low precise strikes. The third goal came after a misplaced CSSC pass deep in its own zone resulted in a two on one break, which Punjab converted thanks to a blatantly obvious offside pass that the referee either failed to notice or chose to ignore. CSSC got the goal their first half attacking play deserved when Devin picked up the ball at the top of the box, took a touch to shift it onto his favoured right foot and smashed a rocket into the top right corner. A goal just before the half. A catalyst for a comeback?
Sadly, it was not to be. Most of the second half was spent with CSSC managing to just deal with Punjab's tactic of pumping long diagonal balls over the top to its very dangerous strikers - a tactic that paid off with two more goals. But the other feature of the half was the alarming decrease in healthy CSSC players. Stef and Erwan both hobbled off with cramp. Andrew's calf was stretched to breaking. Walden limped out of the net with a knee issue. And Bryce's ankle started to swell alarmingly after one of Punjab's many number 7s (they also had a couple of 6s and 11s, which was a bit confusing) lunged into an extra violent retaliation tackle that would have been a straight red for any reasonable ref, but only earned a cautionary yellow from this fan of laissez faire officiating. 5-1. Not great.
Man of the Match: There were really only two contenders on a night to forget for CSSC. Mark Hudson played a lock down game at the back and then stepped between the posts after Walden went down to provide the CSSC fans with some entertainment in an all action keeping display reminiscent of peak David James (particularly 0:45). But the award goes to Matt Loxley who worked to break up attack after attack in the midfield. There's no quit in Loxley.
CSSC 4 - 1 Azzurri
CSSC could boast a big total of 9 healthy starters out of a squad of 25, so was very thankful to KD and Bonivtal for producing two youngsters, Owen and Helio, to create a starting 11. To make matters worse, CSSC again had no keeper, forcing Mark Hudson in net because his twangy hamstring was unlikely to last the entire match in any other position.
In an absolutely shocking turn of events CSSC scored right off the kickoff without Azzurri even touching the ball. Not for CSSC the trendy and scripted "four pass routine" made popular by the likes of PSG. Rather, it opted for a series of short possession passes, capped off when JDB slid a straight ball in the path of KD's diagonal run just inside the box and he fired a left foot shot back across the keeper and into the far corner. It was two shortly after. Bryce, whose mazy dribbling helped create the first goal, hammered a left footed drive that had some good movement, but the Azzurri keeper will be a little disappointed that he only got a hand to the shot rather than a full block. And it was three before the game was 20 minutes old. JDB skated around the Azzurri right back and was felled from behind in order to prevent what would have surely been a perfect, goal producing cut back. Charaf stepped up and slotted home low to the left with a minimum of fuss. A 3 - nil lead at the half? Remarkable.
The second half was a lot more titchy and niggly than entertaining. It started out well from a CSSC standpoint when Helio ran the entire right wing, riding two clattering challenges in the process, to hammer a low shot that the keeper could only parry. The rebound fell to JDB, who made a lung busting run to get into the box from his center mid position, and he took a second to steady himself and rolled the ball home. It was a good thing that the game was pretty much out of reach because on 20 minutes an Azzurri midfielder took an increasingly fractious game (a trend in which he had no small part) to a whole new level by goading Sean Brown into a second yellow with a bit of gamesmanship that would have brought a smile to Materazzi's face. And Azzurri stepped up to dispatch the penalty. However, there would be no late game collapse by a 10 person CSSC. Matt Loxley shifted into a three person back line and the remaining CSSC players worked their socks off to keep the score from getting any closer.
Man of the Match
In a very strange post match beer conversation, CSSC attempted to discover the identities of Mark Wahlberg's funky bunch, and were delighted to discover that Hector "the booty inspector' is doing well for himself these days. It's an important job after all. Everyone on the pitch played a tremendous match, but the top two contenders had to be KD for a goal and arranging the call ups and JDB for a goal, an assist, and drawing a penalty. It's a bit of a saw off, but JDB came for post match beers, so he gets the award.
CSSC could boast a big total of 9 healthy starters out of a squad of 25, so was very thankful to KD and Bonivtal for producing two youngsters, Owen and Helio, to create a starting 11. To make matters worse, CSSC again had no keeper, forcing Mark Hudson in net because his twangy hamstring was unlikely to last the entire match in any other position.
In an absolutely shocking turn of events CSSC scored right off the kickoff without Azzurri even touching the ball. Not for CSSC the trendy and scripted "four pass routine" made popular by the likes of PSG. Rather, it opted for a series of short possession passes, capped off when JDB slid a straight ball in the path of KD's diagonal run just inside the box and he fired a left foot shot back across the keeper and into the far corner. It was two shortly after. Bryce, whose mazy dribbling helped create the first goal, hammered a left footed drive that had some good movement, but the Azzurri keeper will be a little disappointed that he only got a hand to the shot rather than a full block. And it was three before the game was 20 minutes old. JDB skated around the Azzurri right back and was felled from behind in order to prevent what would have surely been a perfect, goal producing cut back. Charaf stepped up and slotted home low to the left with a minimum of fuss. A 3 - nil lead at the half? Remarkable.
The second half was a lot more titchy and niggly than entertaining. It started out well from a CSSC standpoint when Helio ran the entire right wing, riding two clattering challenges in the process, to hammer a low shot that the keeper could only parry. The rebound fell to JDB, who made a lung busting run to get into the box from his center mid position, and he took a second to steady himself and rolled the ball home. It was a good thing that the game was pretty much out of reach because on 20 minutes an Azzurri midfielder took an increasingly fractious game (a trend in which he had no small part) to a whole new level by goading Sean Brown into a second yellow with a bit of gamesmanship that would have brought a smile to Materazzi's face. And Azzurri stepped up to dispatch the penalty. However, there would be no late game collapse by a 10 person CSSC. Matt Loxley shifted into a three person back line and the remaining CSSC players worked their socks off to keep the score from getting any closer.
Man of the Match
In a very strange post match beer conversation, CSSC attempted to discover the identities of Mark Wahlberg's funky bunch, and were delighted to discover that Hector "the booty inspector' is doing well for himself these days. It's an important job after all. Everyone on the pitch played a tremendous match, but the top two contenders had to be KD for a goal and arranging the call ups and JDB for a goal, an assist, and drawing a penalty. It's a bit of a saw off, but JDB came for post match beers, so he gets the award.
CSSC 0 - 1 Stonewall
CSSC is suffering through the usual holiday stretch of thin benches. In a desperate move to field a full squad when a whopping 13 players were out of town, injured or otherwise engaged, CSSC cut long time injury sufferer I. Hudson to pick promising youngster Daniel McIntyre-Ridd of the waiver wire and he slotted right into centre back for a full 90 minutes. Even with Dan, CSSC's one sub was looking enviously over at a Stonewall bench boasting four players waiting to get in.
With the exception of Stonewall number 11's awesomely short shorts, the first half was a bit unremarkable. There was no lack of effort, but both teams lacked a little quality when it came to the final ball. However, one excellent chance was created at either end. Matt Loxley, just returned from Ontario with a Canadian National Ultimate Champion's medal hanging around his neck, slipped a perfectly weighted through ball to a streaking Dylan Doerksen, who managed to round the keeper but had his goal bound shot cleared off the line by a defender who showed excellent hustle to get in position to make the play. Then Bob Walden, in the CSSC goal, pulled off a fantastic close range save when a Stonewall striker diverted a long range cross toward the goal with his knee. But that was about it.
CSSC came to life a bit more in the second half. Charaf released Dylan with a nice ball over the top and when Dyl was forced to cut back by a retreating defender, he slid an inch perfect pass to his brother Dev about 10 yards out, but his side footed one time flew just wide. A second glorious chance was created in identical fashion a couple of minutes later but this time it was Bryce who couldn't quite get enough purchase on the pass to turn it past the Stonewall keeper. In a desperate attempt to turn the game, Stonewall threw on their super sub 13, who had not seen the field so far in the match, against a CSSC that had already run miles. Cheeky Van Penner asked if he was the Stonewall version of Olivier Giroud, and so it proved when he was in the right place at the right time to turn a wayward shot past Walden, who had no chance. A flagging CSSC never looked capable of pegging back the deficit, especially after veteran sweeper Woolford was forced off with a nasty calf injury.
Man of the Match: DMR looks like a very solid pickup - strong in the tackle and clever with his distribution. However, the real hero on the night was Matt Loxley, who put in a full 90 minutes of sweat producing box to box action.
CSSC is suffering through the usual holiday stretch of thin benches. In a desperate move to field a full squad when a whopping 13 players were out of town, injured or otherwise engaged, CSSC cut long time injury sufferer I. Hudson to pick promising youngster Daniel McIntyre-Ridd of the waiver wire and he slotted right into centre back for a full 90 minutes. Even with Dan, CSSC's one sub was looking enviously over at a Stonewall bench boasting four players waiting to get in.
With the exception of Stonewall number 11's awesomely short shorts, the first half was a bit unremarkable. There was no lack of effort, but both teams lacked a little quality when it came to the final ball. However, one excellent chance was created at either end. Matt Loxley, just returned from Ontario with a Canadian National Ultimate Champion's medal hanging around his neck, slipped a perfectly weighted through ball to a streaking Dylan Doerksen, who managed to round the keeper but had his goal bound shot cleared off the line by a defender who showed excellent hustle to get in position to make the play. Then Bob Walden, in the CSSC goal, pulled off a fantastic close range save when a Stonewall striker diverted a long range cross toward the goal with his knee. But that was about it.
CSSC came to life a bit more in the second half. Charaf released Dylan with a nice ball over the top and when Dyl was forced to cut back by a retreating defender, he slid an inch perfect pass to his brother Dev about 10 yards out, but his side footed one time flew just wide. A second glorious chance was created in identical fashion a couple of minutes later but this time it was Bryce who couldn't quite get enough purchase on the pass to turn it past the Stonewall keeper. In a desperate attempt to turn the game, Stonewall threw on their super sub 13, who had not seen the field so far in the match, against a CSSC that had already run miles. Cheeky Van Penner asked if he was the Stonewall version of Olivier Giroud, and so it proved when he was in the right place at the right time to turn a wayward shot past Walden, who had no chance. A flagging CSSC never looked capable of pegging back the deficit, especially after veteran sweeper Woolford was forced off with a nasty calf injury.
Man of the Match: DMR looks like a very solid pickup - strong in the tackle and clever with his distribution. However, the real hero on the night was Matt Loxley, who put in a full 90 minutes of sweat producing box to box action.
CSSC 0 - 6 Southside
All traditional match reports put the score at the top, but CSSC's recent run of poor form may cause a rethink. CSSC's keeper problems got even worse as it was down to it's 5th string keeper after Hudson reinjured his hip during training. Just to add to the numbers woes, CSSC's injured and retired players on the bench greatly outnumbered its one healthy substitute. By contrast Southside was short of well wishers but long on actual players.
As the scoreline suggests, Southside scored goals and CSSC didn't, which analysts claim is an unlikely route to victory. Southside's number 74 has scored about 75 goals this year and despite the pre game team talk focusing on shutting him down, he had three goals in about 15 minutes, effectively ending the contest before Adam Wazny could stroll up from the parking lot and ask what the score was. It was an odd half because, after that, CSSC managed to get to grips with things and unleashed a shockingly high number of long range sighters, all of which were credible but not a single one hit the target.
Despite the vocal managerial efforts of Ali Chioua, the second half was like the first in reverse, but with less CSSC goal bound efforts. The only victory of a sort was when Hudson managed to find the CSSC match ball that had been carelessly booted into a drainage ditch of chest high thistles.
The highlight of the night was easily the post match drinking at Kilter, where Van Penner impressed everyone with his detailed knowledge of reality TV, Niall Harney claimed to be undefeated at Ticket to Ride, and people played a rousing game of "things Ian hates" - which turned out to be surprisingly easy.
Man of the Match: 74 scored a bunch of goals but no one should ever celebrate making it 5 - 0, so he gets nothing. But nor does anyone on CSSC. Pete Hudson, who was press ganged into running the line, was probably the closest anyone connected with CSSC came to a stand out performance.
All traditional match reports put the score at the top, but CSSC's recent run of poor form may cause a rethink. CSSC's keeper problems got even worse as it was down to it's 5th string keeper after Hudson reinjured his hip during training. Just to add to the numbers woes, CSSC's injured and retired players on the bench greatly outnumbered its one healthy substitute. By contrast Southside was short of well wishers but long on actual players.
As the scoreline suggests, Southside scored goals and CSSC didn't, which analysts claim is an unlikely route to victory. Southside's number 74 has scored about 75 goals this year and despite the pre game team talk focusing on shutting him down, he had three goals in about 15 minutes, effectively ending the contest before Adam Wazny could stroll up from the parking lot and ask what the score was. It was an odd half because, after that, CSSC managed to get to grips with things and unleashed a shockingly high number of long range sighters, all of which were credible but not a single one hit the target.
Despite the vocal managerial efforts of Ali Chioua, the second half was like the first in reverse, but with less CSSC goal bound efforts. The only victory of a sort was when Hudson managed to find the CSSC match ball that had been carelessly booted into a drainage ditch of chest high thistles.
The highlight of the night was easily the post match drinking at Kilter, where Van Penner impressed everyone with his detailed knowledge of reality TV, Niall Harney claimed to be undefeated at Ticket to Ride, and people played a rousing game of "things Ian hates" - which turned out to be surprisingly easy.
Man of the Match: 74 scored a bunch of goals but no one should ever celebrate making it 5 - 0, so he gets nothing. But nor does anyone on CSSC. Pete Hudson, who was press ganged into running the line, was probably the closest anyone connected with CSSC came to a stand out performance.
SCM 3 - 2 CSSC
CSSC's mid season personnel problems continued against a high flying SCM side that a full strength CSSC squad struggled to contain in their first encounter. The difficulties were most apparent in goal, where 4th string keeper I. Hudson was forced to pull on the jersey due to work, injury and holiday absences by the top three. To add to CSSC's woes two Doerksens and a Chioua rolled in after the starting whistle, forcing CSSC to kick off with the bare 11.
And the treatment room became even more packed when Phil suffered a nasty broken bone in his hand early in the first half. In a testament to his ironman like fortitude he toughed it out until the half without mentioning the injury to anyone. CSSC found themselves behind the eight ball fairly quickly, when a turnover deep in their own zone led to an SCM striker rampaging down the right. The CSSC defender managed to force the attacker wide but he drove a low shot across Hudson and into the bottom corner. It was a shot that the top CSSC keepers would most likely have gotten a hand to. It was two when a deep SCM corner was headed back across the goal and nodded in at the back post by a very tall SCM winger. And it became a seemingly insurmountable three when the SCM midfield was given enough space at the top of the CSSC box to drive a low rocket beyond a diving Hudson and into the bottom corner. It could have been worse. Hudson was forced to plunge to his right to get a strong hand to divert a close range shot wide and managed to dive at the feet of breakaway strikers to snuff out two other great chances.
Give CSSC credit. Forced into a reshuffle due to Phil's injury, Niall shuffled into the back four, JDB dropped into center mid, and a front two of Dyl and Zach led the line. Rather than capitulating to a thrashing, CSSC clawed its way back into the game. The defense tightened up, limiting SCM to long balls over the top and shots under pressure that Hudson managed to comfortably deal with. Many excellent chances were created at the other end before JDB intercepted a wayward clearance about 25 yards out, shifted the ball onto his right and unleashed a dipping shot that the keeper could only parry and there was Dyl on hand to slam home the rebound. All of a sudden SCM was a little less comfortable and their touchline manager increasingly outraged at CSSC's ability to get the ball from its keeper to the SCM goal in short order. However, yelled advice as unhelpful as "watch the dropkick!" and as helpful as "they do the same thing every time!!" went unheeded as CSSC's kicks from goal repeatedly found Dyl on his own at center to launch attack after attack. Late in the half, Niall found Greg Chernomas wide on the left and his inch perfect low, driven cross was expertly turned in at the far post by Dyl for his second. Finally, at the death, one of Zach's many dangerous runs teed up Dyl at the far post but he slipped just as he was shooting and what would have been the tying goal and a hat trick scuffed wide.
Man of the Match: Niall played like a demon after being pressed into emergency left back and Greg Boese was a calm, steady presence keeping CSSC ticking over in the second half. But two goals are two goals so the post-game drinkers at the Yellow Dog gave the award to Dyl Doerksen after which they turned their minds to the upcoming excitement of the CSSC weekend pool party generously hosted by Kevin Dick. What would Van wear? Would Hudson's polka dot shorts make an appearance? Never has an event been so highly anticipated.
CSSC's mid season personnel problems continued against a high flying SCM side that a full strength CSSC squad struggled to contain in their first encounter. The difficulties were most apparent in goal, where 4th string keeper I. Hudson was forced to pull on the jersey due to work, injury and holiday absences by the top three. To add to CSSC's woes two Doerksens and a Chioua rolled in after the starting whistle, forcing CSSC to kick off with the bare 11.
And the treatment room became even more packed when Phil suffered a nasty broken bone in his hand early in the first half. In a testament to his ironman like fortitude he toughed it out until the half without mentioning the injury to anyone. CSSC found themselves behind the eight ball fairly quickly, when a turnover deep in their own zone led to an SCM striker rampaging down the right. The CSSC defender managed to force the attacker wide but he drove a low shot across Hudson and into the bottom corner. It was a shot that the top CSSC keepers would most likely have gotten a hand to. It was two when a deep SCM corner was headed back across the goal and nodded in at the back post by a very tall SCM winger. And it became a seemingly insurmountable three when the SCM midfield was given enough space at the top of the CSSC box to drive a low rocket beyond a diving Hudson and into the bottom corner. It could have been worse. Hudson was forced to plunge to his right to get a strong hand to divert a close range shot wide and managed to dive at the feet of breakaway strikers to snuff out two other great chances.
Give CSSC credit. Forced into a reshuffle due to Phil's injury, Niall shuffled into the back four, JDB dropped into center mid, and a front two of Dyl and Zach led the line. Rather than capitulating to a thrashing, CSSC clawed its way back into the game. The defense tightened up, limiting SCM to long balls over the top and shots under pressure that Hudson managed to comfortably deal with. Many excellent chances were created at the other end before JDB intercepted a wayward clearance about 25 yards out, shifted the ball onto his right and unleashed a dipping shot that the keeper could only parry and there was Dyl on hand to slam home the rebound. All of a sudden SCM was a little less comfortable and their touchline manager increasingly outraged at CSSC's ability to get the ball from its keeper to the SCM goal in short order. However, yelled advice as unhelpful as "watch the dropkick!" and as helpful as "they do the same thing every time!!" went unheeded as CSSC's kicks from goal repeatedly found Dyl on his own at center to launch attack after attack. Late in the half, Niall found Greg Chernomas wide on the left and his inch perfect low, driven cross was expertly turned in at the far post by Dyl for his second. Finally, at the death, one of Zach's many dangerous runs teed up Dyl at the far post but he slipped just as he was shooting and what would have been the tying goal and a hat trick scuffed wide.
Man of the Match: Niall played like a demon after being pressed into emergency left back and Greg Boese was a calm, steady presence keeping CSSC ticking over in the second half. But two goals are two goals so the post-game drinkers at the Yellow Dog gave the award to Dyl Doerksen after which they turned their minds to the upcoming excitement of the CSSC weekend pool party generously hosted by Kevin Dick. What would Van wear? Would Hudson's polka dot shorts make an appearance? Never has an event been so highly anticipated.
Tri s 4 - 2 CSSC
Tri S has a double advantage when it plays at home. First the travel time scares away some of the less committed, meaning that sides, CSSC included, usually show up a little understrength. CSSC numbers weren't helped by normally dependable defender Phil Amorim's stint at the Portugal pavilion. Second, their bumpy field plays to the strength of a fast team that chases and harries but doesn't rely very heavily on balls played on the deck.
CSSC's record of poor starts continued. CSSC could have opened the scoring against the run of play when M. Hudson delivered an inch perfect cross from the left to JDB, who had got in behind his defender, but his close range finish rolled just wide. Then Tri S took the lead their possession deserved. The ball found its way into the CSSC box and bounced around wildly without CSSC defenders getting a clearing foot to it before a Tri S forward shinned it into the corner. CSSC found themselves down two on a bit of a referee gift. A Tri S striker, at a tough angle and facing away from goal, went down very easily under almost no pressure from Van Penner but the ref pointed to the spot for a call that was so soft Charmin is putting it in their new commercial. CSSC pulled one back on a nice bit of passing up the CSSC right, in which M. Hudson again featured prominently, that got the ball to Stef Hodges about twenty yards out, who took a classy touch with the sole of his right boot before bending an unstoppable curler into the top corner. Back in it just before the half, which the ref cut short by 5 minutes for some reason.
Although CSSC came out well after the break, it was Tri S who scored. Again it was a goal of some controversy. A long ball was played into the CSSC box and after a bit of bouncing around it struck the elbow of a Tri S forward and deflected right to a team mate who slotted home. Div 5 has controversially elected to go without VAR this year and the ref claimed he didn't see it. CSSC again tried to make it a contest when a nice one two with JDB sent Hodges into the box where he was felled in the act of shooting for a penalty, which he calmly blasted home. CSSC had two identical and excellent chances to level when JDB gained possession on the top left corner of the box, beat his defender, Jr. Hoilett style, to the middle to create a chance for his right boot, but hit his shot a bit too close to the grateful keeper. Tragically for the CSSC traveling support Tri S salted the game away when their forward line responded first to a rebound off a long range cannon to bravely head home.
Two out of town games and two losses for CSSC and 8 goals conceded. Like milk, we don't travel well.
Man of the Match: Stef's two goals kept the game interesting, but the real hero was Niall Harney who passed up the tempting delights of a family BBQ to put in an excellent shift out wide and carpool three team mates to the game. In a new match report feature Van Penner is going to introduce us to the delights of obscure (at least to me - I'm sure they're huge in Budapest) European bands. This week Ha 3ape (I just type it).
Tri S has a double advantage when it plays at home. First the travel time scares away some of the less committed, meaning that sides, CSSC included, usually show up a little understrength. CSSC numbers weren't helped by normally dependable defender Phil Amorim's stint at the Portugal pavilion. Second, their bumpy field plays to the strength of a fast team that chases and harries but doesn't rely very heavily on balls played on the deck.
CSSC's record of poor starts continued. CSSC could have opened the scoring against the run of play when M. Hudson delivered an inch perfect cross from the left to JDB, who had got in behind his defender, but his close range finish rolled just wide. Then Tri S took the lead their possession deserved. The ball found its way into the CSSC box and bounced around wildly without CSSC defenders getting a clearing foot to it before a Tri S forward shinned it into the corner. CSSC found themselves down two on a bit of a referee gift. A Tri S striker, at a tough angle and facing away from goal, went down very easily under almost no pressure from Van Penner but the ref pointed to the spot for a call that was so soft Charmin is putting it in their new commercial. CSSC pulled one back on a nice bit of passing up the CSSC right, in which M. Hudson again featured prominently, that got the ball to Stef Hodges about twenty yards out, who took a classy touch with the sole of his right boot before bending an unstoppable curler into the top corner. Back in it just before the half, which the ref cut short by 5 minutes for some reason.
Although CSSC came out well after the break, it was Tri S who scored. Again it was a goal of some controversy. A long ball was played into the CSSC box and after a bit of bouncing around it struck the elbow of a Tri S forward and deflected right to a team mate who slotted home. Div 5 has controversially elected to go without VAR this year and the ref claimed he didn't see it. CSSC again tried to make it a contest when a nice one two with JDB sent Hodges into the box where he was felled in the act of shooting for a penalty, which he calmly blasted home. CSSC had two identical and excellent chances to level when JDB gained possession on the top left corner of the box, beat his defender, Jr. Hoilett style, to the middle to create a chance for his right boot, but hit his shot a bit too close to the grateful keeper. Tragically for the CSSC traveling support Tri S salted the game away when their forward line responded first to a rebound off a long range cannon to bravely head home.
Two out of town games and two losses for CSSC and 8 goals conceded. Like milk, we don't travel well.
Man of the Match: Stef's two goals kept the game interesting, but the real hero was Niall Harney who passed up the tempting delights of a family BBQ to put in an excellent shift out wide and carpool three team mates to the game. In a new match report feature Van Penner is going to introduce us to the delights of obscure (at least to me - I'm sure they're huge in Budapest) European bands. This week Ha 3ape (I just type it).
CSSC 0 - 3 Argentinos
CSSC started out a bit desperately understrength due to the punctuality problems of a few unnamed players and the game was more or less over before the latest of the CSSC laggards, Matt Loxley, rocked up at half time. The first game was a close fought affair but CSSC could feel a little unlucky with the end draw. They could have few complaints about the result here.
In number 99, Argentinos have a forward with the difficult to defend combination of speed, control, and size. He created two of the three first half Argentinos goals. On the first he marauded down the left, got all the way to the end line and sent in a dangerous low cross that pinged around the CSSC 6 yard box for far too long before being bundled in from close range. The second came after 99 made an identical forceful foray, this time down the right. Despite being squared up by two defenders in the the CSSC box he beat them both to the end line and sent in an identical low cross that was met by a tasty one time volley that crashed beyond a stranded Walden in the CSSC goal. There was a third in there too, but it was not worth remarking on.
CSSC made it a much more even contest after the break without managing to create very many good chances. The best effort was undoubtedly when a nice bit of CSSC passing up the middle found Hodges in a pocket of space, and he hit a one time bender that crashed off the meat of the crossbar and to safety. And that was it, as the game faltered its way toward a predictable conclusion. The fans sprinkling the Waverly contest would wish they had chosen last week's barn burner instead of this anemic display.
Man of the Match: If we were in the habit of acknowledging the opposition, it would be unplayable number 99. From the CSSC ranks, it could only be Mark Hudson, who was the only CSSC player that could stay with 99. Hudson's brand of fearless "get stuck in" defending harkens back to Stuart Pierce in his heyday. Hudson would no doubt enjoy Pierce's punk rock crossover.
CSSC started out a bit desperately understrength due to the punctuality problems of a few unnamed players and the game was more or less over before the latest of the CSSC laggards, Matt Loxley, rocked up at half time. The first game was a close fought affair but CSSC could feel a little unlucky with the end draw. They could have few complaints about the result here.
In number 99, Argentinos have a forward with the difficult to defend combination of speed, control, and size. He created two of the three first half Argentinos goals. On the first he marauded down the left, got all the way to the end line and sent in a dangerous low cross that pinged around the CSSC 6 yard box for far too long before being bundled in from close range. The second came after 99 made an identical forceful foray, this time down the right. Despite being squared up by two defenders in the the CSSC box he beat them both to the end line and sent in an identical low cross that was met by a tasty one time volley that crashed beyond a stranded Walden in the CSSC goal. There was a third in there too, but it was not worth remarking on.
CSSC made it a much more even contest after the break without managing to create very many good chances. The best effort was undoubtedly when a nice bit of CSSC passing up the middle found Hodges in a pocket of space, and he hit a one time bender that crashed off the meat of the crossbar and to safety. And that was it, as the game faltered its way toward a predictable conclusion. The fans sprinkling the Waverly contest would wish they had chosen last week's barn burner instead of this anemic display.
Man of the Match: If we were in the habit of acknowledging the opposition, it would be unplayable number 99. From the CSSC ranks, it could only be Mark Hudson, who was the only CSSC player that could stay with 99. Hudson's brand of fearless "get stuck in" defending harkens back to Stuart Pierce in his heyday. Hudson would no doubt enjoy Pierce's punk rock crossover.
St James 1 - 2 CSSC
In the first game of the season, CSSC faced an under strength St. James squad missing many of its recognized stars. St. James' team sheet for this late night tilt featured all its big names and a full bench ready to call into action. CSSC welcomed back Todd Chernomas off the treatment table, helping CSSC meet its EDI quota of two red heads in every team sheet.
St. James came out like they had something to prove after losing 3-0 in this return fixture. They were moving the ball quickly up from the back to their dangerous front men who were causing all sorts of trouble for CSSC's defense. St. James took the lead when their striker held up the ball near center and sprayed a lovely pass out to speedy number 9 on the right. With space to roam he managed to drive toward goal and get off a low shot that took a slight deflection off the very longest stud in Sean Brown's boot to take it past a wrong footed Jules Martens in the CSSC goal. It would have been two if Jules had not managed to get two strong hands to a long range rocket destined for the top corner and turn it around the post. 1-0 at the half, but chances were proving few and far between for a CSSC squad sticking to its defensive duties but pinned in its own end.
Looking to change the flow of the game, the CSSC brain trust changed from a 3-5-2 to an old school 4-4-2. While increasing the number of defenders is rarely seen as an attacking move, the idea was to allow CSSC's wingers a bit more freedom. Like Nelson Mandela, Stef Hodges took full advantage. His marauding runs down the left were terrorizing the St. James right side and creating CSSC's first real offensive thrusts of the game. Within 5 minutes of the restart, CSSC equalized. Dylan Doerksen played a lovely one time pass out to KD lurking out wide on the left. He got the ball to the bi line and put an inch perfect cross onto Dylan's head to reward the CSSC forward's run into the box. His close range header gave the keeper no chance. The game was turned on its head shortly after. Matt Loxley, patrolling the midfield like a terrier, slid a lovely pass to KD who had found space at the top of the box and he took a touch to control before driving a low shot into the net despite the keeper getting a hand to it. St. James certainly didn't lie down and accept the defeat, but they found Jules a literal and figurative giant in the CSSC goal. He stoned two clear cut breakaways, but his best moment came when he got down to block a close range drive and then sprang to his feet to claw away the near post follow up shot, leaving the St. James winger searching the heavens in disbelief. At the very death, CSSC rode its luck when a St. James free kick about 20 yards out smacked off the crossbar and was smuggled away to safety by the madly swinging legs of the CSSC defense. A big comeback win in a thrilling contest. The fans paid for their whole seat, but all they needed was the edge!
Man of the Match: These super late encounters end after all the bars in town are closed, so it was off to the parking lot for post game beers. There were some great games all around. KD's goal and an assist certainly put him in contention, as did Erwan's rock solid performance in center midfield. However, on this day the difference between victory and defeat was Jules' performance between the sticks.
In the first game of the season, CSSC faced an under strength St. James squad missing many of its recognized stars. St. James' team sheet for this late night tilt featured all its big names and a full bench ready to call into action. CSSC welcomed back Todd Chernomas off the treatment table, helping CSSC meet its EDI quota of two red heads in every team sheet.
St. James came out like they had something to prove after losing 3-0 in this return fixture. They were moving the ball quickly up from the back to their dangerous front men who were causing all sorts of trouble for CSSC's defense. St. James took the lead when their striker held up the ball near center and sprayed a lovely pass out to speedy number 9 on the right. With space to roam he managed to drive toward goal and get off a low shot that took a slight deflection off the very longest stud in Sean Brown's boot to take it past a wrong footed Jules Martens in the CSSC goal. It would have been two if Jules had not managed to get two strong hands to a long range rocket destined for the top corner and turn it around the post. 1-0 at the half, but chances were proving few and far between for a CSSC squad sticking to its defensive duties but pinned in its own end.
Looking to change the flow of the game, the CSSC brain trust changed from a 3-5-2 to an old school 4-4-2. While increasing the number of defenders is rarely seen as an attacking move, the idea was to allow CSSC's wingers a bit more freedom. Like Nelson Mandela, Stef Hodges took full advantage. His marauding runs down the left were terrorizing the St. James right side and creating CSSC's first real offensive thrusts of the game. Within 5 minutes of the restart, CSSC equalized. Dylan Doerksen played a lovely one time pass out to KD lurking out wide on the left. He got the ball to the bi line and put an inch perfect cross onto Dylan's head to reward the CSSC forward's run into the box. His close range header gave the keeper no chance. The game was turned on its head shortly after. Matt Loxley, patrolling the midfield like a terrier, slid a lovely pass to KD who had found space at the top of the box and he took a touch to control before driving a low shot into the net despite the keeper getting a hand to it. St. James certainly didn't lie down and accept the defeat, but they found Jules a literal and figurative giant in the CSSC goal. He stoned two clear cut breakaways, but his best moment came when he got down to block a close range drive and then sprang to his feet to claw away the near post follow up shot, leaving the St. James winger searching the heavens in disbelief. At the very death, CSSC rode its luck when a St. James free kick about 20 yards out smacked off the crossbar and was smuggled away to safety by the madly swinging legs of the CSSC defense. A big comeback win in a thrilling contest. The fans paid for their whole seat, but all they needed was the edge!
Man of the Match: These super late encounters end after all the bars in town are closed, so it was off to the parking lot for post game beers. There were some great games all around. KD's goal and an assist certainly put him in contention, as did Erwan's rock solid performance in center midfield. However, on this day the difference between victory and defeat was Jules' performance between the sticks.
Scrubs 0 - 6 CSSC
Would this be a banana skin for CSSC's top half aspirations? Scrubs was propping up the Div 5 table going into a prime time evening match on the UofM turf. It was a tale of two injuries as JDB miraculously declared himself fit to play only 5 weeks after suffering a broken ankle, while I. Hudson was still unfit after his minor hip injury, picked up while tying his shoes, refused to heal.
It was one way traffic in the first half but CSSC didn't create as many chances as their possession warranted and didn't finish as many of those chances as they should. The only goal came when Zach, who, like TLC, terrorized the Scrubs, weaved his way to the end line and cut the ball back for Walden to roll in a fairly straightforward tap in. There were many other chances but none went in. Mac, in the CSSC goal, was kept on his toes when he had to bravely dash out to snuff out a clear cut breakaway to keep CSSC in front.
And then the flood gates opened. Bryce extended the lead with two identical goals. In both he made a bit of space in the center of the field, about 25 yards out, shifted the ball onto his dangerous left foot and hit stoppable benders that managed to elude the Scrubs keeper. The double strike seemed to break Scrubs resistance and chances started to come thick and fast. Three more goals went in, the pick of which was Greg Boese's 20 yard rocket into the low left corner. That was about it really. Pretty straightforward banana skin dodged.
Man of the Match: Van Penner was taking CSSC to school at Nic's during post match beers - introducing team mates to the delights of pineapple feta pizza, Walter Rodney, and his appropriately obscure favorite band Molchat Doma. Despite Penner's teaching MotM is going to Bryce's two goal performance that sealed the win.
Would this be a banana skin for CSSC's top half aspirations? Scrubs was propping up the Div 5 table going into a prime time evening match on the UofM turf. It was a tale of two injuries as JDB miraculously declared himself fit to play only 5 weeks after suffering a broken ankle, while I. Hudson was still unfit after his minor hip injury, picked up while tying his shoes, refused to heal.
It was one way traffic in the first half but CSSC didn't create as many chances as their possession warranted and didn't finish as many of those chances as they should. The only goal came when Zach, who, like TLC, terrorized the Scrubs, weaved his way to the end line and cut the ball back for Walden to roll in a fairly straightforward tap in. There were many other chances but none went in. Mac, in the CSSC goal, was kept on his toes when he had to bravely dash out to snuff out a clear cut breakaway to keep CSSC in front.
And then the flood gates opened. Bryce extended the lead with two identical goals. In both he made a bit of space in the center of the field, about 25 yards out, shifted the ball onto his dangerous left foot and hit stoppable benders that managed to elude the Scrubs keeper. The double strike seemed to break Scrubs resistance and chances started to come thick and fast. Three more goals went in, the pick of which was Greg Boese's 20 yard rocket into the low left corner. That was about it really. Pretty straightforward banana skin dodged.
Man of the Match: Van Penner was taking CSSC to school at Nic's during post match beers - introducing team mates to the delights of pineapple feta pizza, Walter Rodney, and his appropriately obscure favorite band Molchat Doma. Despite Penner's teaching MotM is going to Bryce's two goal performance that sealed the win.
CSSC 3 - 0 Punjab FC
CSSC was struggling for numbers thanks to its players' love of singing and dancing at the Folk Festival. However, on the plus side, it was able to welcome back all action, star defender Van Penner from his two month European conditioning stint and mercurial front man Greg Chernomas, on a low risk, pay as you play contract. Punjab is probably currently lower in the table than their skill level merits, and CSSC was looking for redemption after being knocked out of the Bison Cup by Punjab on penalties. A game eagerly anticipated by CSSC's large crowd, which included celebrity guest and former CSSC superstar Riley DeBlonde, who was on hand to sign autographs and unsuccessfully explain the attraction of ultra marathons.
The first half looked very, very even. Both teams played some nice midfield passing triangles but both defenses were also doing a diligent job of managing the other teams' forwards. CSSC's back three and defensive mids were proving especially difficult for Punjab to pass their way through. It took until about 3/4 of the way through the half before any real chances were created, but what a chance it was. CSSC made good ground up the right side and squared a low cross that found Matt Loxley, whose low one time shot was cleared off the line by a sliding defender. The rebound fell right to Dev Doerksen about eight yards out, but his low drive was identically cleared by the desperate actions of a defender on the line. At the other end, Punjab's best chance came when their marauding right winger steamed in all alone but his rocket drive at the near post was pushed aside by Jules in the CSSC goal. And that was about it for goal action in a pleasing but not thrilling first half.
But in the second, CSSC came good. First, Dev sauntered up the left wing and swung a dangerous ball into the Punjab box. After a small amount of ping ponging, the ball fell kindly to Dylan Doerksen, who calmly dispatched a volley across the goal and into the far corner. The second arrived shortly after. Zach weaved a mazy dribble into the Punjab box and after spurning several chances to shoot and drawing three defenders to him, he slid a delightful pass to a wide open Bryce Trupp who calmly slotted home from close range. A third put the game out of reach, and it was the pick of the lot. Bryce and Zach combined well down the left and drove a low cross that found late arriving Stef Hodges at the top of the box and he hammered an unstoppable one timer into the bottom corner. A lovely bit of team play and a fine finish. It could have been more. After Erwan Bouchard, who anchored the CSSC middle all night, broke up yet another Punjab attack he sent Dylan on a clear run in from center, but his attempt to find Zach all alone in front of the Punjab goal was inches behind and Zach could only reach back to stab the ball at the grateful keeper. Then, Matt Loxley send Bryce sprinting through the middle with a delightful defense splitting pass only for the Punjab keeper to get a strong hand up to deflect Bryce's shot just wide. At the death Jules managed to heroically preserve the shutout when he charged out of his net to perform a perfectly timed tackle to deny an onrushing Punjab attacker. Not even a consolation goal for a Punjab team that actually played quite well.
Man of the Match: The entire squad played a stormer, but special mention has to go to the holding midfield trio of Stef, Matt and Erwan who created an impenetrable wall in front of the CSSC back line. Any one of them could have walked with the man of the match. However, the after game drinkers, competing for space with VLTs in the Grove back room, agreed that Stef's goal was a bit of a peach and should get him the award and the $1.25 voucher we found unclaimed in the one armed bandit.
CSSC was struggling for numbers thanks to its players' love of singing and dancing at the Folk Festival. However, on the plus side, it was able to welcome back all action, star defender Van Penner from his two month European conditioning stint and mercurial front man Greg Chernomas, on a low risk, pay as you play contract. Punjab is probably currently lower in the table than their skill level merits, and CSSC was looking for redemption after being knocked out of the Bison Cup by Punjab on penalties. A game eagerly anticipated by CSSC's large crowd, which included celebrity guest and former CSSC superstar Riley DeBlonde, who was on hand to sign autographs and unsuccessfully explain the attraction of ultra marathons.
The first half looked very, very even. Both teams played some nice midfield passing triangles but both defenses were also doing a diligent job of managing the other teams' forwards. CSSC's back three and defensive mids were proving especially difficult for Punjab to pass their way through. It took until about 3/4 of the way through the half before any real chances were created, but what a chance it was. CSSC made good ground up the right side and squared a low cross that found Matt Loxley, whose low one time shot was cleared off the line by a sliding defender. The rebound fell right to Dev Doerksen about eight yards out, but his low drive was identically cleared by the desperate actions of a defender on the line. At the other end, Punjab's best chance came when their marauding right winger steamed in all alone but his rocket drive at the near post was pushed aside by Jules in the CSSC goal. And that was about it for goal action in a pleasing but not thrilling first half.
But in the second, CSSC came good. First, Dev sauntered up the left wing and swung a dangerous ball into the Punjab box. After a small amount of ping ponging, the ball fell kindly to Dylan Doerksen, who calmly dispatched a volley across the goal and into the far corner. The second arrived shortly after. Zach weaved a mazy dribble into the Punjab box and after spurning several chances to shoot and drawing three defenders to him, he slid a delightful pass to a wide open Bryce Trupp who calmly slotted home from close range. A third put the game out of reach, and it was the pick of the lot. Bryce and Zach combined well down the left and drove a low cross that found late arriving Stef Hodges at the top of the box and he hammered an unstoppable one timer into the bottom corner. A lovely bit of team play and a fine finish. It could have been more. After Erwan Bouchard, who anchored the CSSC middle all night, broke up yet another Punjab attack he sent Dylan on a clear run in from center, but his attempt to find Zach all alone in front of the Punjab goal was inches behind and Zach could only reach back to stab the ball at the grateful keeper. Then, Matt Loxley send Bryce sprinting through the middle with a delightful defense splitting pass only for the Punjab keeper to get a strong hand up to deflect Bryce's shot just wide. At the death Jules managed to heroically preserve the shutout when he charged out of his net to perform a perfectly timed tackle to deny an onrushing Punjab attacker. Not even a consolation goal for a Punjab team that actually played quite well.
Man of the Match: The entire squad played a stormer, but special mention has to go to the holding midfield trio of Stef, Matt and Erwan who created an impenetrable wall in front of the CSSC back line. Any one of them could have walked with the man of the match. However, the after game drinkers, competing for space with VLTs in the Grove back room, agreed that Stef's goal was a bit of a peach and should get him the award and the $1.25 voucher we found unclaimed in the one armed bandit.
Southside 1 - 1 CSSC
CSSC pulled off a last minute transfer coup by signing highly rated free agent keeper Jules just in time for a late night kickoff in what became an absolute deluge as the evening wore on. Full credit, then, to former CSSC fan favorites Mark Meuwese and Pete Hudson, who could both use an upgrade in their rain gear, and currently injured stars JDB and Mark Hudson, who stayed to watch what turned out to be a thrilling encounter against a Southside squad that is currently looking down at the rest of the division from the heady heights of 1st place.
Yet, buoyed by the insertion of mercurial striker Zach Chioua for his first start of the year, it was CSSC asking all the early questions. Zach was a menace right from the off and after winning the ball off two defenders after a hopeful ball up field, he strode into the box and lashed a right footed drive that was destined for the bottom corner until the Southside keeper got down at full stretch to divert it around the post. As the game wore on, it became increasingly clear that Southside had some offensive skills of their own. Perennial league MVP #7 could even be spared from the front line to add some creative flair and speedy muscle to their midfield. They went ahead when 22 took a pass on the left, and like Arjen Robben in reverse, cut across the top of the box and hammered an unstoppable low daisy cutter into the low left corner. It was a quality strike, only slightly diminished by his sporting a Karate Kid headband that appeared to serve little practical purpose. But CSSC was soon back on level terms. Predictably it was Zach who made the goal, dribbling into the Southside box, drawing three defenders, and sliding a lovely pass across to Dylan to slam home from close range. It was a bit against the run of first half play but a combination of tenacious defending and reflex keeping kept the score level.
The second half was the reverse of the first. Southside made all the early running, pinning CSSC back with some slick passing. They were almost rewarded for their territorial domination when 7 piled a rocket toward the top corner but Jules went full horizontal to get two hands to it and push it away. In many ways CSSC could was lucky to still be level with 15 minutes to go, but they finished very much on the front foot. First, a Hudson corner was met at full leap by Dylan, but his marking defender did just enough to make sure that his close range header fell kindly into the keeper's arms. Then, right at the death, Niall Harney, who became an increasing threat as the game went on, loped down the right and delivered a perfect cross onto the head of that Dylan again, but despite stretching every sinew of his neck to its fullest, Dylan's glancing effort just cleared the corner of post and bar.
Man of the Match: There were really three contenders. Niall is developing into the stylish wing wizard that CSSC scouts predicted and his sideline is saving the planet (minute 17:15) so that's mark in his favor. Greg Boese not only played a strong game at defensive mid, but also managed to navigate the MMSL's Kafkaesque registration website to get Jules registered. But the award goes to Tyler Johnson's magnificent display at the back. Southside has been absolutely banging in the goals all year, but CSSC's back line, and Tyler, in particular were like the Greeks in 300 (not that we've seen that awful bit of nonsense).
CSSC pulled off a last minute transfer coup by signing highly rated free agent keeper Jules just in time for a late night kickoff in what became an absolute deluge as the evening wore on. Full credit, then, to former CSSC fan favorites Mark Meuwese and Pete Hudson, who could both use an upgrade in their rain gear, and currently injured stars JDB and Mark Hudson, who stayed to watch what turned out to be a thrilling encounter against a Southside squad that is currently looking down at the rest of the division from the heady heights of 1st place.
Yet, buoyed by the insertion of mercurial striker Zach Chioua for his first start of the year, it was CSSC asking all the early questions. Zach was a menace right from the off and after winning the ball off two defenders after a hopeful ball up field, he strode into the box and lashed a right footed drive that was destined for the bottom corner until the Southside keeper got down at full stretch to divert it around the post. As the game wore on, it became increasingly clear that Southside had some offensive skills of their own. Perennial league MVP #7 could even be spared from the front line to add some creative flair and speedy muscle to their midfield. They went ahead when 22 took a pass on the left, and like Arjen Robben in reverse, cut across the top of the box and hammered an unstoppable low daisy cutter into the low left corner. It was a quality strike, only slightly diminished by his sporting a Karate Kid headband that appeared to serve little practical purpose. But CSSC was soon back on level terms. Predictably it was Zach who made the goal, dribbling into the Southside box, drawing three defenders, and sliding a lovely pass across to Dylan to slam home from close range. It was a bit against the run of first half play but a combination of tenacious defending and reflex keeping kept the score level.
The second half was the reverse of the first. Southside made all the early running, pinning CSSC back with some slick passing. They were almost rewarded for their territorial domination when 7 piled a rocket toward the top corner but Jules went full horizontal to get two hands to it and push it away. In many ways CSSC could was lucky to still be level with 15 minutes to go, but they finished very much on the front foot. First, a Hudson corner was met at full leap by Dylan, but his marking defender did just enough to make sure that his close range header fell kindly into the keeper's arms. Then, right at the death, Niall Harney, who became an increasing threat as the game went on, loped down the right and delivered a perfect cross onto the head of that Dylan again, but despite stretching every sinew of his neck to its fullest, Dylan's glancing effort just cleared the corner of post and bar.
Man of the Match: There were really three contenders. Niall is developing into the stylish wing wizard that CSSC scouts predicted and his sideline is saving the planet (minute 17:15) so that's mark in his favor. Greg Boese not only played a strong game at defensive mid, but also managed to navigate the MMSL's Kafkaesque registration website to get Jules registered. But the award goes to Tyler Johnson's magnificent display at the back. Southside has been absolutely banging in the goals all year, but CSSC's back line, and Tyler, in particular were like the Greeks in 300 (not that we've seen that awful bit of nonsense).
SCM Academy 2 - 1 CSSC
A very late night tilt under the bright lights and massive bleachers of Winnipeg's biggest time amateur soccer stadium pitted CSSC against division new comers and early table toppers SCM. Any team with "academy" in the title suggests both youth and ambition, two words that have not been used to describe CSSC as much as its long suffering fans would like. Sure enough, the pregame warm up revealed an SCM team that looked eager and youthful. As a result, CSSC shifted to a 4-5-1-1 line up to try to provide third string keeper Ian Hudson with a bit more protection.
It worked to a certain extent but there was no question that offense was sacrificed. Although CSSC worked some nice combinations in the middle of the field, the SCM keeper remained largely untroubled. At the other end, Hudson was scrambling around the CSSC goal in increasingly desperate attempts to keep the ball out. After several near misses SCM finally broke through when a free kick was swung in from the left that managed to elude the CSSC defense and fall to a lurking striker about 8 yards out, who had time to bring the ball down, slightly miscontrol it, and still gather himself to rifle a volley past a static Hudson. Still, for the rest of the half, stellar work from the CSSC D and mid duo Loxley and Boese, kept the game well within striking distance.
It was more of the same in the second half. Yellow shoed forward #9 was proving an absolute terror up front, with every striker's dream combination of speed, dribbling and a rocket shot. On about 60 minutes he got the goal that his performance deserved, although it was down to some good fortune, when he latched on to a deflected CSSC clearance and, under pressure from sweeper Sean Brown, rolled a change up across Hudson that found the bottom corner from close range. There were chances galore for SCM in the immediate aftermath but somehow even seeming tap ins from inside the 6 yard box magically struck Hudson rather than the back of the net. CSSC was offered a lifeline back into the game when it was awarded a penalty for what appeared to be a bit of a soft push in the back. Dylan wasn't complaining however, as he calmly stepped up and slotted the ball low to the keeper's left. But an unlikely smash and grab was not on the cards. Even no nonsense truth deliverer Pete Hudson declared it a credible, hard working performance against skillful opposition.
After last game's horror encounter with an ankle shattering madman, it's worth mentioning that SCM, and particularly #9, were absolute delights to play against. No diving, clean tackles, and even a bit of witty comedy. Fair play personified.
Man of the Match: CSSC's defense dealt admirably in a backs to the wall 90 minutes, and none were more hard working, tough tackling and goal denying that Stef Hodges, who looks to be settling in wonderfully in his first full season with the club.
A very late night tilt under the bright lights and massive bleachers of Winnipeg's biggest time amateur soccer stadium pitted CSSC against division new comers and early table toppers SCM. Any team with "academy" in the title suggests both youth and ambition, two words that have not been used to describe CSSC as much as its long suffering fans would like. Sure enough, the pregame warm up revealed an SCM team that looked eager and youthful. As a result, CSSC shifted to a 4-5-1-1 line up to try to provide third string keeper Ian Hudson with a bit more protection.
It worked to a certain extent but there was no question that offense was sacrificed. Although CSSC worked some nice combinations in the middle of the field, the SCM keeper remained largely untroubled. At the other end, Hudson was scrambling around the CSSC goal in increasingly desperate attempts to keep the ball out. After several near misses SCM finally broke through when a free kick was swung in from the left that managed to elude the CSSC defense and fall to a lurking striker about 8 yards out, who had time to bring the ball down, slightly miscontrol it, and still gather himself to rifle a volley past a static Hudson. Still, for the rest of the half, stellar work from the CSSC D and mid duo Loxley and Boese, kept the game well within striking distance.
It was more of the same in the second half. Yellow shoed forward #9 was proving an absolute terror up front, with every striker's dream combination of speed, dribbling and a rocket shot. On about 60 minutes he got the goal that his performance deserved, although it was down to some good fortune, when he latched on to a deflected CSSC clearance and, under pressure from sweeper Sean Brown, rolled a change up across Hudson that found the bottom corner from close range. There were chances galore for SCM in the immediate aftermath but somehow even seeming tap ins from inside the 6 yard box magically struck Hudson rather than the back of the net. CSSC was offered a lifeline back into the game when it was awarded a penalty for what appeared to be a bit of a soft push in the back. Dylan wasn't complaining however, as he calmly stepped up and slotted the ball low to the keeper's left. But an unlikely smash and grab was not on the cards. Even no nonsense truth deliverer Pete Hudson declared it a credible, hard working performance against skillful opposition.
After last game's horror encounter with an ankle shattering madman, it's worth mentioning that SCM, and particularly #9, were absolute delights to play against. No diving, clean tackles, and even a bit of witty comedy. Fair play personified.
Man of the Match: CSSC's defense dealt admirably in a backs to the wall 90 minutes, and none were more hard working, tough tackling and goal denying that Stef Hodges, who looks to be settling in wonderfully in his first full season with the club.
CSSC 4 - 0 Tri S
How long does it take a tree to grow? It's a question that none of the CSSC arborists knew the answer to, but as the wind howled across Buhler field and players glanced at the little saplings that seemed to be planted a very long time ago to act as a shelter belt, the answer was definitely "too long." Early season results for Tri S suggested that the fans, including former CSSC players and current team goodwill ambassadors Pete Hudson and Raina Loxley, were in for a festival of goals, a fact that was reinforced by Mark Hudson pulling on his GPE hoodie to go between the pipes rather than his usual spot terrorizing opposition dribblers.
But Mark Hudson pulled off a series of three lightening sharp, close range, reflex saves in the first fifteen minutes to keep Tri S at bay. It certainly wasn't one way traffic, with the Tri S keeper denying the dangerous JDB twice from close and long range. The close range save was an excellent reaction save after JDB and Charaf worked a tasty give and go at to the top of the box. The deadlock was broken when long term signing Stef Hodges, made ground down the left, cut onto his favored right foot and picked out a charging Kevin Dick with a pin point cross that Dick diverted into the net from close range. Then disaster. JDB hustled to pick up a loose ball at center and a Tri S midfielder launched into a studs up ankle stomper of a tackle (pictured on the left) that left JDB writhing on the ground and CSSC fuming. As the Tri S bearded hatchet man (like Gimli but way less funny) marched off after his deserved red card, he pouted "I hope his ankle is broken." Mission accomplished jackass! CSSC's early contender for MVP is going to be on the sidelines for a couple of months.
The report from the second half in which CSSC strolled home versus 10 men is badly incomplete because of the match reporter's completely incompetent efforts to make JDB a little more comfortable on the sidelines. Never have ice bags and tensor bandages been so incompetently administered. On the plus side the CSSC medical bag had a lot of Aleves, which seemed to help. The occasional quick glace at the field showed Dylan Doerksen, back and looking in top game shape after his European conditioning stint, racing onto a through ball and slotting low across the keeper to make it two. KD put the game away with two goals. The first was a delightful long range curler and the second was just like Dylan's. I'm sure that the build up play to spring both Dylan and Kevin was lovely, but it went tragically unobserved. A comfortable win, but at what a cost.
Man of the Match: Everyone looked pretty good in a comfortable win, but hat tricks win awards. Step forward Kevin Dick.
How long does it take a tree to grow? It's a question that none of the CSSC arborists knew the answer to, but as the wind howled across Buhler field and players glanced at the little saplings that seemed to be planted a very long time ago to act as a shelter belt, the answer was definitely "too long." Early season results for Tri S suggested that the fans, including former CSSC players and current team goodwill ambassadors Pete Hudson and Raina Loxley, were in for a festival of goals, a fact that was reinforced by Mark Hudson pulling on his GPE hoodie to go between the pipes rather than his usual spot terrorizing opposition dribblers.
But Mark Hudson pulled off a series of three lightening sharp, close range, reflex saves in the first fifteen minutes to keep Tri S at bay. It certainly wasn't one way traffic, with the Tri S keeper denying the dangerous JDB twice from close and long range. The close range save was an excellent reaction save after JDB and Charaf worked a tasty give and go at to the top of the box. The deadlock was broken when long term signing Stef Hodges, made ground down the left, cut onto his favored right foot and picked out a charging Kevin Dick with a pin point cross that Dick diverted into the net from close range. Then disaster. JDB hustled to pick up a loose ball at center and a Tri S midfielder launched into a studs up ankle stomper of a tackle (pictured on the left) that left JDB writhing on the ground and CSSC fuming. As the Tri S bearded hatchet man (like Gimli but way less funny) marched off after his deserved red card, he pouted "I hope his ankle is broken." Mission accomplished jackass! CSSC's early contender for MVP is going to be on the sidelines for a couple of months.
The report from the second half in which CSSC strolled home versus 10 men is badly incomplete because of the match reporter's completely incompetent efforts to make JDB a little more comfortable on the sidelines. Never have ice bags and tensor bandages been so incompetently administered. On the plus side the CSSC medical bag had a lot of Aleves, which seemed to help. The occasional quick glace at the field showed Dylan Doerksen, back and looking in top game shape after his European conditioning stint, racing onto a through ball and slotting low across the keeper to make it two. KD put the game away with two goals. The first was a delightful long range curler and the second was just like Dylan's. I'm sure that the build up play to spring both Dylan and Kevin was lovely, but it went tragically unobserved. A comfortable win, but at what a cost.
Man of the Match: Everyone looked pretty good in a comfortable win, but hat tricks win awards. Step forward Kevin Dick.
Argentinos 2 - 2 CSSC
It was prime time tilt on the turf of Memorial Field as CSSC took on an up and coming Argentinos squad, who were rapidly moving up through the divisions. Aurelie Mogan put in an early bid for fan of the year by turning up to her second game in a row, and did so by biking all the way from the North End. Way to go Aurelie, says Bernie Sanders.
After 10 minutes it became very clear that there was no way this game was going to end without a goal. Chances were flying in at both ends with both teams' midfields taking a no prisoners approach to their battle. CSSC took the lead on a corner to the back post that was turned back across the goal by JDB for Matt Loxley to scamble the ball over the line. Argentinos levelled quickly after when their speedy number 27 nipped in between CSSCs central defense and calmly slotted past Walden, deputizing in the CSSC net. Honours even at the half in an wide open and entertaining contest.
The second half was turning a little niggly, with CSSC growing a bit more frustrated with Argentinos' heel nipping and shirt tugging. In the interests of balanced reporting it must be admitted that CSSC got in a retaliation or two of its own - not to mention four yellow cards that should keep us well out of the running for the dreaded fair play award for the softest team. CSSC retook the lead when Phil Amorim spotted JDB lurking high up the field and turned defense into attack with a dangerous long ball over the top. JDB took full advantage, beating their last man to the ball, poking it by the onrushing keeper and slotting it in the wide open net. Mbappe would have been proud. Argentinos responded with a team goal of real quality. CSSC turned the ball over deep in the Argentinos end and a quick pass out wide allowed their winger to pick out that speedy number 27 racing behind CSSCs back line and he again slotted home. Two passes to go the length of the field and score. Respect. CSSC could have taken all the spoils but a one time snap shot from just outside the box by Matt Loxley was tipped around the post by a flying keeper and then shortly after a bouncing ball fell to Tyler Johnson, who had a stormer of a game at the back, at the top of the box, but he couldn't keep his shot down. A tie was just about right.
Man of the Match: Opta stats had Tyler winning 98 percent of his one on one duels against opposing forwards and Matt Loxley not only scored but was a one person midfield destroyer the rest of the time. However, an assist and a goal right out of the top drawer gets JDB man of the match.
It was prime time tilt on the turf of Memorial Field as CSSC took on an up and coming Argentinos squad, who were rapidly moving up through the divisions. Aurelie Mogan put in an early bid for fan of the year by turning up to her second game in a row, and did so by biking all the way from the North End. Way to go Aurelie, says Bernie Sanders.
After 10 minutes it became very clear that there was no way this game was going to end without a goal. Chances were flying in at both ends with both teams' midfields taking a no prisoners approach to their battle. CSSC took the lead on a corner to the back post that was turned back across the goal by JDB for Matt Loxley to scamble the ball over the line. Argentinos levelled quickly after when their speedy number 27 nipped in between CSSCs central defense and calmly slotted past Walden, deputizing in the CSSC net. Honours even at the half in an wide open and entertaining contest.
The second half was turning a little niggly, with CSSC growing a bit more frustrated with Argentinos' heel nipping and shirt tugging. In the interests of balanced reporting it must be admitted that CSSC got in a retaliation or two of its own - not to mention four yellow cards that should keep us well out of the running for the dreaded fair play award for the softest team. CSSC retook the lead when Phil Amorim spotted JDB lurking high up the field and turned defense into attack with a dangerous long ball over the top. JDB took full advantage, beating their last man to the ball, poking it by the onrushing keeper and slotting it in the wide open net. Mbappe would have been proud. Argentinos responded with a team goal of real quality. CSSC turned the ball over deep in the Argentinos end and a quick pass out wide allowed their winger to pick out that speedy number 27 racing behind CSSCs back line and he again slotted home. Two passes to go the length of the field and score. Respect. CSSC could have taken all the spoils but a one time snap shot from just outside the box by Matt Loxley was tipped around the post by a flying keeper and then shortly after a bouncing ball fell to Tyler Johnson, who had a stormer of a game at the back, at the top of the box, but he couldn't keep his shot down. A tie was just about right.
Man of the Match: Opta stats had Tyler winning 98 percent of his one on one duels against opposing forwards and Matt Loxley not only scored but was a one person midfield destroyer the rest of the time. However, an assist and a goal right out of the top drawer gets JDB man of the match.
CSSC 3 - 0 St James
After a long and rainy spring delayed the kick off the MMSL 5th division, there was great anticipation to hit the turf fields. With practice time limited due to soaked fields, could CSSC's promising new signings bed in despite the lack of pre season training? CSSC rocked up with a full bench, and starting keeper, while St. James could only look on in envy as their backup keeper struggled into a white T-shirt and players trickled in just after kickoff.
CSSC took full advantage of the slow St. James start with two identical goals. Crosses were swung in from the left towards the center of the box, where Todd Chernomas managed to one time them toward the goal. Chaos ensued on both occasions, resulting in opportunistic JDB walking the ball into an empty net both times. They are unlikely to be contenders for goal of the season, but a two nil lead settled the early season nerves. The first half lead was in some jeapordy when a St. James striker took advantage of some defensive uncertainty to bear down on Mac in the CSSC goal, round the keeper, and slide the ball toward an open net, only for sweeper Bob Walden to clear off the line. Defending that's as good as a goal.
The second half was one way traffic as St. James tired. However, their actual keeper showed up for the second half and made several outstanding saves to keep the game close, the most dramatic of which saw him dive at full stretch to tip a Chernomas curler onto the far post and to safety. CSSC put the game out of reach when Kamal Chioua, taking a break from rocking through Fortunate Son in Celebration Theatre's "Summer of 69," placed a delicate flick off the back of his head, arcing over the despairing keeper, and into the back of the net. And that was pretty much that as CSSC saw out a comfortable opening day victory.
Man of the Match: Normally, two goal hero JDB would have strolled to the award, but Ian Hudson and Andrew Woolford courageously squeezed through the quagmire under the fence surrounding Shaunessey Field to retrieve match balls on two different occasions. That's Man of the Match winning heroism.
After a long and rainy spring delayed the kick off the MMSL 5th division, there was great anticipation to hit the turf fields. With practice time limited due to soaked fields, could CSSC's promising new signings bed in despite the lack of pre season training? CSSC rocked up with a full bench, and starting keeper, while St. James could only look on in envy as their backup keeper struggled into a white T-shirt and players trickled in just after kickoff.
CSSC took full advantage of the slow St. James start with two identical goals. Crosses were swung in from the left towards the center of the box, where Todd Chernomas managed to one time them toward the goal. Chaos ensued on both occasions, resulting in opportunistic JDB walking the ball into an empty net both times. They are unlikely to be contenders for goal of the season, but a two nil lead settled the early season nerves. The first half lead was in some jeapordy when a St. James striker took advantage of some defensive uncertainty to bear down on Mac in the CSSC goal, round the keeper, and slide the ball toward an open net, only for sweeper Bob Walden to clear off the line. Defending that's as good as a goal.
The second half was one way traffic as St. James tired. However, their actual keeper showed up for the second half and made several outstanding saves to keep the game close, the most dramatic of which saw him dive at full stretch to tip a Chernomas curler onto the far post and to safety. CSSC put the game out of reach when Kamal Chioua, taking a break from rocking through Fortunate Son in Celebration Theatre's "Summer of 69," placed a delicate flick off the back of his head, arcing over the despairing keeper, and into the back of the net. And that was pretty much that as CSSC saw out a comfortable opening day victory.
Man of the Match: Normally, two goal hero JDB would have strolled to the award, but Ian Hudson and Andrew Woolford courageously squeezed through the quagmire under the fence surrounding Shaunessey Field to retrieve match balls on two different occasions. That's Man of the Match winning heroism.