Semifinals United Nova 6 - 0 CSSC
The semi final tilt had a David and Goliath quality about it (Let's face facts and admit that Malcolm Gladwell has no idea what he's talking about). Or at least it would have been if Goliath was a whole lot larger and David had forgotten his slingshot. United Nova were coming off an undefeated season in which they won each game by an average of around 5 goals, while CSSC was fielding a line up depleted not only by longstanding injuries well documented in previous match reports but Matt Trendota ran off to sample the culinary delights of Poland, Colin Kinsella was ruled out with badly bruised ribs and Peyton Veitch decided that work was more important than a Division 6 semifinal showdown.
The reason that Gladwell doesn't know what he's banging on about it because usually Goliath gives David a good tonking and CSSC could not overturn the weight of history. In the past, CSSC has lived on it's outrageously stingy defense and a good slice of fortune. Both abandoned the team on this day. Nova's first two goals were self inflicted. The first was an unfortunate own goal when a defender who shall not be named shinned a low cross into his own net. There's been worse. Number two came when S. Brown nicked the ball away from his own keeper only to see it roll right to a Nova forward for an easy tap in. The third in the half was a lovely through ball that was turned across the face of the goal for a close range tap in. 3-0 will take the wind out of your sails, especially when you've been playing reasonably well against the class of the division.
If Nova was dangerous when CSSC was trying to set up a defensive wall, when they opened up to try to chase the game Nova showed what they could do in the great wide open of Waverly field 1. CSSC did carve out a few genuine chances. I. Hudson slid Eli through to shoot narrowly wide and D. Fernandes headed a nice cross inches by the post. However, Nova created chance after chance marauding through the vast empty mid field and slotted three more home to make the score look very lop sided. Spirits were only kept alive by the amazingly positive support from the legions of CSSC alumni and family members that turned up to cheer us on. Well, we were the 4th best team in the league and got knocked out in the semi's. Par for the course I guess.
Man of the Match: It could only be Matt Loxley. His return to Winnipeg for a family birthday nicely coincided with the semi final and without him we would have barely been able to field a team, let alone actually manage a little possession. What an engine.
The semi final tilt had a David and Goliath quality about it (Let's face facts and admit that Malcolm Gladwell has no idea what he's talking about). Or at least it would have been if Goliath was a whole lot larger and David had forgotten his slingshot. United Nova were coming off an undefeated season in which they won each game by an average of around 5 goals, while CSSC was fielding a line up depleted not only by longstanding injuries well documented in previous match reports but Matt Trendota ran off to sample the culinary delights of Poland, Colin Kinsella was ruled out with badly bruised ribs and Peyton Veitch decided that work was more important than a Division 6 semifinal showdown.
The reason that Gladwell doesn't know what he's banging on about it because usually Goliath gives David a good tonking and CSSC could not overturn the weight of history. In the past, CSSC has lived on it's outrageously stingy defense and a good slice of fortune. Both abandoned the team on this day. Nova's first two goals were self inflicted. The first was an unfortunate own goal when a defender who shall not be named shinned a low cross into his own net. There's been worse. Number two came when S. Brown nicked the ball away from his own keeper only to see it roll right to a Nova forward for an easy tap in. The third in the half was a lovely through ball that was turned across the face of the goal for a close range tap in. 3-0 will take the wind out of your sails, especially when you've been playing reasonably well against the class of the division.
If Nova was dangerous when CSSC was trying to set up a defensive wall, when they opened up to try to chase the game Nova showed what they could do in the great wide open of Waverly field 1. CSSC did carve out a few genuine chances. I. Hudson slid Eli through to shoot narrowly wide and D. Fernandes headed a nice cross inches by the post. However, Nova created chance after chance marauding through the vast empty mid field and slotted three more home to make the score look very lop sided. Spirits were only kept alive by the amazingly positive support from the legions of CSSC alumni and family members that turned up to cheer us on. Well, we were the 4th best team in the league and got knocked out in the semi's. Par for the course I guess.
Man of the Match: It could only be Matt Loxley. His return to Winnipeg for a family birthday nicely coincided with the semi final and without him we would have barely been able to field a team, let alone actually manage a little possession. What an engine.
Quarterfinals CSSC 1 - 0 Wolves
If CSSC were Friday Night Lights we would have dedicated this game to Brian Chipman, our very own Jason Street. The new signing has been a real find at centre mid, but met with a tragic multiple bone leg break in training that set both him and CSSC back a touch heading into the fall playoffs. However, we're not given to garish displays of sentimentality so we just picked the starting 11 and trotted out onto the field.
Things didn't look great in the first 15 minutes as Wolves pressed CSSC relentlessly back. They almost took the lead but Peyton Veitch was perfectly positioned on the post to head a goal bound effort off the line (A header Peyton! You've come a long way.) It was then Woolford's turn to play defensive hero when he managed to scoop a ball off the goal line just before a disappointed Wolves attacker arrived for the tap in. In the last part of the half CSSC started to come back into the game. I. Hudson managed to spring a M. Hudson marauding through the middle behind the Wolves defense but a slightly heavy touch and a very aggressive Wolves keeper combined to force the shot wide. Wolves ignored the warning at their own peril as Charaf slid Eli in behind the high Wolves line and he held off the tracking defender long enough to place a low shot just inside the far post. 1-0.
It may have been the defensive mind set trying to protect a lead in a big playoff game but the second half of CSSC vs Wolves looked like Homer Simpson vs Drederick Tatum. Optastats revealed that CSSC failed to string four consecutive passes together the entire half. Yet, like Simpson, they refused to go down. Chance after chance for Wolves foundered on the CSSC defensive wall, or when that failed, Ed Gonzales would pop up to clear yet another one off the line. Apparently possession isn't 9/10 of the law. Like the Red Devils in the final regular season game, Wolves could not believe they had lost this one, and honest commentators would have to agree. On the other hand, few things are more satisfying than the old "smash and grab" victory.
Man of the Match: Despite Eli's finely taken goal, it was a game for the entire defense. Woolford and Fischer were at their aggressive, thwarting best, ruining attack after attack. However, the award goes to Sean Brown's sweeping and his bionic knee. His playing through injury should be a lesson to other, more fragile members of the team (just to be totally clear, I'm not talking about Chipman here.)
If CSSC were Friday Night Lights we would have dedicated this game to Brian Chipman, our very own Jason Street. The new signing has been a real find at centre mid, but met with a tragic multiple bone leg break in training that set both him and CSSC back a touch heading into the fall playoffs. However, we're not given to garish displays of sentimentality so we just picked the starting 11 and trotted out onto the field.
Things didn't look great in the first 15 minutes as Wolves pressed CSSC relentlessly back. They almost took the lead but Peyton Veitch was perfectly positioned on the post to head a goal bound effort off the line (A header Peyton! You've come a long way.) It was then Woolford's turn to play defensive hero when he managed to scoop a ball off the goal line just before a disappointed Wolves attacker arrived for the tap in. In the last part of the half CSSC started to come back into the game. I. Hudson managed to spring a M. Hudson marauding through the middle behind the Wolves defense but a slightly heavy touch and a very aggressive Wolves keeper combined to force the shot wide. Wolves ignored the warning at their own peril as Charaf slid Eli in behind the high Wolves line and he held off the tracking defender long enough to place a low shot just inside the far post. 1-0.
It may have been the defensive mind set trying to protect a lead in a big playoff game but the second half of CSSC vs Wolves looked like Homer Simpson vs Drederick Tatum. Optastats revealed that CSSC failed to string four consecutive passes together the entire half. Yet, like Simpson, they refused to go down. Chance after chance for Wolves foundered on the CSSC defensive wall, or when that failed, Ed Gonzales would pop up to clear yet another one off the line. Apparently possession isn't 9/10 of the law. Like the Red Devils in the final regular season game, Wolves could not believe they had lost this one, and honest commentators would have to agree. On the other hand, few things are more satisfying than the old "smash and grab" victory.
Man of the Match: Despite Eli's finely taken goal, it was a game for the entire defense. Woolford and Fischer were at their aggressive, thwarting best, ruining attack after attack. However, the award goes to Sean Brown's sweeping and his bionic knee. His playing through injury should be a lesson to other, more fragile members of the team (just to be totally clear, I'm not talking about Chipman here.)
Red Devils 0 - 3 CSSC
As a result of a wild scramble to reschedule games after the late August monsoon in Winnipeg, CSSC kicked off at 6:00 at the gigantic field at the UofM indoor facility. The very early start time was troublesome for those members of CSSC who were gainfully employed and so while all 15 Red Devils were being put through their warm ups, CSSC players were still either sitting in traffic or trying to get out of work early.
Despite the ramshackle nature of the starting line up, CSSC jumped out to an early lead when Matt Dryburgh's delightful chip over the high back line of the Devils sent Eddie G sprinting clear and he deftly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net. CSSC barely saw the ball the rest of the half as the Devils two centre mids and centre back dictated play with some slick movement and passing. The CSSC defense, however, kept them at bay and Aiken brushed away the chances that did get through.
The second half was pretty much more of the same. Ian Hudson made a tentative return to the line up following a long stretch out with a hamstring injury. He didn't move around much, or at any great speed, or to any great effect, but he did swing in a free kick onto the head of Eli Robinson who powered it home for a two nil lead. Size may matter less in this sport than the American version of the game, but the difference between the towering figure of Robinson and his pint size marker was there to be exploited. The game was made even more safe late on when Chipmans thoughtful header sent Ian Hudson wandering through. His volley went wide, but a Devil's defender had a bit of a shirt tug that was spotted by the ref. Robinson slotted home the penalty. The late stages were marked less by any great footballing incident than by increasing antagonism highlighted by a bit of handbags featuring a good three or four players from each team. Ironically, the most aggressive player from the Devils was maybe five foot two and wearing glasses. Possession was probably 70% for the Red Devils who won't be the first team to play against CSSC this year to wander off the pitch wondering exactly how they lost.
Man of the Match: Matt Dryburgh had a stand out game at the back, making some vital defensive clearances so honourable mention goes to him. The award goes to keeper Aiken who not only showed up on time but also made a number of crucial one on one saves when the game was in the balance.
As a result of a wild scramble to reschedule games after the late August monsoon in Winnipeg, CSSC kicked off at 6:00 at the gigantic field at the UofM indoor facility. The very early start time was troublesome for those members of CSSC who were gainfully employed and so while all 15 Red Devils were being put through their warm ups, CSSC players were still either sitting in traffic or trying to get out of work early.
Despite the ramshackle nature of the starting line up, CSSC jumped out to an early lead when Matt Dryburgh's delightful chip over the high back line of the Devils sent Eddie G sprinting clear and he deftly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net. CSSC barely saw the ball the rest of the half as the Devils two centre mids and centre back dictated play with some slick movement and passing. The CSSC defense, however, kept them at bay and Aiken brushed away the chances that did get through.
The second half was pretty much more of the same. Ian Hudson made a tentative return to the line up following a long stretch out with a hamstring injury. He didn't move around much, or at any great speed, or to any great effect, but he did swing in a free kick onto the head of Eli Robinson who powered it home for a two nil lead. Size may matter less in this sport than the American version of the game, but the difference between the towering figure of Robinson and his pint size marker was there to be exploited. The game was made even more safe late on when Chipmans thoughtful header sent Ian Hudson wandering through. His volley went wide, but a Devil's defender had a bit of a shirt tug that was spotted by the ref. Robinson slotted home the penalty. The late stages were marked less by any great footballing incident than by increasing antagonism highlighted by a bit of handbags featuring a good three or four players from each team. Ironically, the most aggressive player from the Devils was maybe five foot two and wearing glasses. Possession was probably 70% for the Red Devils who won't be the first team to play against CSSC this year to wander off the pitch wondering exactly how they lost.
Man of the Match: Matt Dryburgh had a stand out game at the back, making some vital defensive clearances so honourable mention goes to him. The award goes to keeper Aiken who not only showed up on time but also made a number of crucial one on one saves when the game was in the balance.
CSSC 4 - 2 Sparta
The last days of summer means the return of CSSC's wandering diaspora back to Winnipeg and an unusually full CSSC bench to mark the penultimate match of the 2014 season.
Perhaps lulled by Sparta's low position in the table, CSSC started off like a team that had enjoyed its massive helping of saucy ribs before rather than after the game. Stand in keeper Ian Hudson had already snagged one six yard rocket out of the air and pounced on a goal line scramble before yet another Sparta attacker split the CSSC defense and poked a close range scuffler into the corner. Even the appearance of regular, and regularly tardy, keeper Aiken couldn't turn the tide as Sparta sprinted clear on the left and drove a low cross past the on rushing Aiken to be tapped into the empty net. An increasingly frantic CSSC were thrown a lifeline when a cross into the Sparta box bounced awkwardly into the hand of a wildly flailing defender and Robinson cooly slotted home the penalty. A thoroughly undeserved one goal deficit at the half.
Unlike a wild Vegas gambler, CSSC didn't squander its good fortune. The second half started out with Chernomas marauding down the right and delivering a low pull back to Wazoo who teed up for Fernandes to place in the corner. Robinson got his second of the night by springing the offside trap to collect Fischer's curving free kick, round the keeper and slot home from in close. His hat trick was complete when the in form Chernomas slipped a lovely break away pass between two defenders and Robinson raced clear to score. There was just time for Aiken to stop a penalty shot as the final whistle blew.
Man of the Match: Like all ambitious Canadians, Greg Chernomas is abandoning us to live in Toronto, but before he hit the highway he reminded us of just how magic his footwork can be when his hamstring isn't torn in two. However, two goals in a 4-2 victory means that Eli Robinson takes home the award of all you can eat ribs courtesy of match day sponsor the Jolly Friar.
The last days of summer means the return of CSSC's wandering diaspora back to Winnipeg and an unusually full CSSC bench to mark the penultimate match of the 2014 season.
Perhaps lulled by Sparta's low position in the table, CSSC started off like a team that had enjoyed its massive helping of saucy ribs before rather than after the game. Stand in keeper Ian Hudson had already snagged one six yard rocket out of the air and pounced on a goal line scramble before yet another Sparta attacker split the CSSC defense and poked a close range scuffler into the corner. Even the appearance of regular, and regularly tardy, keeper Aiken couldn't turn the tide as Sparta sprinted clear on the left and drove a low cross past the on rushing Aiken to be tapped into the empty net. An increasingly frantic CSSC were thrown a lifeline when a cross into the Sparta box bounced awkwardly into the hand of a wildly flailing defender and Robinson cooly slotted home the penalty. A thoroughly undeserved one goal deficit at the half.
Unlike a wild Vegas gambler, CSSC didn't squander its good fortune. The second half started out with Chernomas marauding down the right and delivering a low pull back to Wazoo who teed up for Fernandes to place in the corner. Robinson got his second of the night by springing the offside trap to collect Fischer's curving free kick, round the keeper and slot home from in close. His hat trick was complete when the in form Chernomas slipped a lovely break away pass between two defenders and Robinson raced clear to score. There was just time for Aiken to stop a penalty shot as the final whistle blew.
Man of the Match: Like all ambitious Canadians, Greg Chernomas is abandoning us to live in Toronto, but before he hit the highway he reminded us of just how magic his footwork can be when his hamstring isn't torn in two. However, two goals in a 4-2 victory means that Eli Robinson takes home the award of all you can eat ribs courtesy of match day sponsor the Jolly Friar.
CSSC 0 - 4 United Nova FC
The CSSC late-season slump continued at Buhler Park against undefeated league-leaders United Nova FC. Another motley lineup was stitched together by the team management, who may have exhausted themselves prior to the game by frantically de-registering and re-registering. With Greg Boese back to the west coast, Brett Hudson, CSSC alumnus from long-ago, made a one-game appearance to shore up the back line and, late-on, the midfield. Brett's cross from resulting from a long haul up the right wing produced one of CSSC's best chances, with Kamal Chioua narrowly heading it wide. Keeping with the defensive posture that nearly resulted in an almost-tie that was in fact a loss to FC Russia in the previous game, CSSC lined up with two ranks of four at the back, and with Stef Fischer back from Germany to anchor things, CSSC held on until the half with a nil-nil scoreline.
Nova's frustration was clearly mounting, as they began blasting wild shots (well--one did hit the bar) from distance in an attempt to beat fifth-string keeper Ian Hudson. Between Hudson's impressive solidity, his distracting tight-pants, and some less-than-accurate shooting, Nova remained shut out until about 70 minutes, when a short lapse of discipline in the CSSC ranks allowed in three quick goals. The first was a well-earned diving header from a corner. The third also came from a corner, but was a product of lax marking, with Andrew Woolford the sole defender in a pack of three UNFC players lurking at the far post, one of whom nodded it home. Eli Robinson produced two chances on his own for CSSC, one coming immediately after UNFC opened the scoring. Greg Chernomas played a ball through the middle that was briefly intercepted, only to be re-won by Robinson, whose goal attempt was thwarted by a good reflex save by the keeper. Robinson also narrowly put one past the left-hand post as he was arcing to the right across the top of the Nova penalty box. These attempts may, in retrospect, have pushed CSSC forward in hopes of earning a shock smash-and-grab victory, thus opening the doors to the Nova counterattack. The final nail came quite late on, after Fischer had moved up to center-midfield. M. Hudson was clearly not up to the task of sweeping, and, while deciding which of the two other open strikers in the box to mark, allowed the rotund Nova left winger plenty of time to shoot past his stranded brother. Late goal line heroics by both I and B Hudson--the latter left flattened by the collision--kept the scoreline at a merely un-respectable level, rather than tipping over into the disaster-zone.
Man of the Match Peyton Veitch was shaping up to have the match of his career, putting in solid tackles and marking like one ought to, a knock to the ankle (exacerbated by what appeared to be a hangnail on the big toe) put him out of commission mid-way through the match. The team physio staff are working on a nail-trimming how-to regimen for Veitch. Despite Peyton's strong but short-lived performance, for flying in from Victoria to take his place in the CSSC back four, and playing a barnstormer to boot, MoM honours go to Brett Hudson, along with the prize package featuring our enduring gratitude and a nasty bruise.
The CSSC late-season slump continued at Buhler Park against undefeated league-leaders United Nova FC. Another motley lineup was stitched together by the team management, who may have exhausted themselves prior to the game by frantically de-registering and re-registering. With Greg Boese back to the west coast, Brett Hudson, CSSC alumnus from long-ago, made a one-game appearance to shore up the back line and, late-on, the midfield. Brett's cross from resulting from a long haul up the right wing produced one of CSSC's best chances, with Kamal Chioua narrowly heading it wide. Keeping with the defensive posture that nearly resulted in an almost-tie that was in fact a loss to FC Russia in the previous game, CSSC lined up with two ranks of four at the back, and with Stef Fischer back from Germany to anchor things, CSSC held on until the half with a nil-nil scoreline.
Nova's frustration was clearly mounting, as they began blasting wild shots (well--one did hit the bar) from distance in an attempt to beat fifth-string keeper Ian Hudson. Between Hudson's impressive solidity, his distracting tight-pants, and some less-than-accurate shooting, Nova remained shut out until about 70 minutes, when a short lapse of discipline in the CSSC ranks allowed in three quick goals. The first was a well-earned diving header from a corner. The third also came from a corner, but was a product of lax marking, with Andrew Woolford the sole defender in a pack of three UNFC players lurking at the far post, one of whom nodded it home. Eli Robinson produced two chances on his own for CSSC, one coming immediately after UNFC opened the scoring. Greg Chernomas played a ball through the middle that was briefly intercepted, only to be re-won by Robinson, whose goal attempt was thwarted by a good reflex save by the keeper. Robinson also narrowly put one past the left-hand post as he was arcing to the right across the top of the Nova penalty box. These attempts may, in retrospect, have pushed CSSC forward in hopes of earning a shock smash-and-grab victory, thus opening the doors to the Nova counterattack. The final nail came quite late on, after Fischer had moved up to center-midfield. M. Hudson was clearly not up to the task of sweeping, and, while deciding which of the two other open strikers in the box to mark, allowed the rotund Nova left winger plenty of time to shoot past his stranded brother. Late goal line heroics by both I and B Hudson--the latter left flattened by the collision--kept the scoreline at a merely un-respectable level, rather than tipping over into the disaster-zone.
Man of the Match Peyton Veitch was shaping up to have the match of his career, putting in solid tackles and marking like one ought to, a knock to the ankle (exacerbated by what appeared to be a hangnail on the big toe) put him out of commission mid-way through the match. The team physio staff are working on a nail-trimming how-to regimen for Veitch. Despite Peyton's strong but short-lived performance, for flying in from Victoria to take his place in the CSSC back four, and playing a barnstormer to boot, MoM honours go to Brett Hudson, along with the prize package featuring our enduring gratitude and a nasty bruise.
CSSC's 2014 team bonding at Bruce Sewart's Matlock cottage.
FC Russia 2 - 0 CSSC
Trying to rebound from its worst modern era defeat ever, the dangerously thin ranks of CSSC were bolstered by the return from injury of keeper Chris Aiken and the recall of midfield fan favorite Greg Boese from his loan spell on the west coast. Would the 11 strong CSSC squad turn in a performance of the ages to claim victory against all odds? Well, the score is at the top, so you already know the answer, but it was a close thing.
CSSC formed up a defensively solid two banks of four on which wave after wave of Russian attacks foundered (or on one or two instances were squandered as easy open net tap ins failed to hit the back of the net) courtesy of tremendous team work rate and tackling. The Russian goal came when a crudely obvious shove on Matt Trendota when he was trying to clear away a header fell to a Russia player who hit a surprise volley in past Aiken.
The second half was pretty much the same. A brave but increasingly exhausted CSSC was pushed back by the endless attacks of FC Russia. Inspirational defender Sean Brown was injured in the line of duty and forced to the sidelines. Yet, still CSSC held. Finally, an FC Russia forward found a bit of space at the top of the box and curled the insurance goal into the bottom corner. Game over. This is a summary of the final minutes of the game without the tiniest bit of exaggeration.
Man of the Match: CSSC's wide backs Matt Trendota Andrew Woolford failed to live up to their own shockingly high standards in the previous game's loss but they rebounded here with a performance of such defensive quality that the post game awards panel decided to let them split the award and the prize, a conveniently divisible order of nachos at the Jolly Friar.
Trying to rebound from its worst modern era defeat ever, the dangerously thin ranks of CSSC were bolstered by the return from injury of keeper Chris Aiken and the recall of midfield fan favorite Greg Boese from his loan spell on the west coast. Would the 11 strong CSSC squad turn in a performance of the ages to claim victory against all odds? Well, the score is at the top, so you already know the answer, but it was a close thing.
CSSC formed up a defensively solid two banks of four on which wave after wave of Russian attacks foundered (or on one or two instances were squandered as easy open net tap ins failed to hit the back of the net) courtesy of tremendous team work rate and tackling. The Russian goal came when a crudely obvious shove on Matt Trendota when he was trying to clear away a header fell to a Russia player who hit a surprise volley in past Aiken.
The second half was pretty much the same. A brave but increasingly exhausted CSSC was pushed back by the endless attacks of FC Russia. Inspirational defender Sean Brown was injured in the line of duty and forced to the sidelines. Yet, still CSSC held. Finally, an FC Russia forward found a bit of space at the top of the box and curled the insurance goal into the bottom corner. Game over. This is a summary of the final minutes of the game without the tiniest bit of exaggeration.
Man of the Match: CSSC's wide backs Matt Trendota Andrew Woolford failed to live up to their own shockingly high standards in the previous game's loss but they rebounded here with a performance of such defensive quality that the post game awards panel decided to let them split the award and the prize, a conveniently divisible order of nachos at the Jolly Friar.
CSSC 1 - 0 Azzurri
Andrew Woolford couldn't have picked a better time to return from his tour of the micro breweries of Maine. Judging by his svelte appearance there must have been at least a bit of training to go alongside the beers so he slotted right into his usual right back spot.
Here's the whole game in a nutshell. CSSC carries the ball up the field, gets in shooting position, drives the ball wide or shoots right at keeper. Repeat. To give credit where it was due, countless CSSC attacks were foiled by the athletic play of Azzurri's number 8 sweeper who acted as a one man brick wall at the back. As the game started to wind down 0-0 looked increasingly on the cards, much to the delight of the Azzurri subs who were vocally counting down the remaining minutes. However a CSSC corner was turned in by Kamal Chioua just as the ref's hi tech digital watch beeped 90 minutes. Relief all round the CSSC ranks at a bit of a jammy victory prompting smiles all around at the post game beers, although Kinsella's outfit is unlikely to fit nicely into Stella's high income target market. Perhaps CSSC players should have a dress code where they have to select from one of these stylish offerings. I choose Kenny Dalglish but Pele and his Mercedes run a close, and very shiny, second.
Man of the Match: Scoring the only goal with the very last touch of the ball is pretty good, but the CSSC awards committee has selected Sean Brown not only for his stand out defensive display but his general commitment to making it to games despite minor inconveniences like his own wedding.
Andrew Woolford couldn't have picked a better time to return from his tour of the micro breweries of Maine. Judging by his svelte appearance there must have been at least a bit of training to go alongside the beers so he slotted right into his usual right back spot.
Here's the whole game in a nutshell. CSSC carries the ball up the field, gets in shooting position, drives the ball wide or shoots right at keeper. Repeat. To give credit where it was due, countless CSSC attacks were foiled by the athletic play of Azzurri's number 8 sweeper who acted as a one man brick wall at the back. As the game started to wind down 0-0 looked increasingly on the cards, much to the delight of the Azzurri subs who were vocally counting down the remaining minutes. However a CSSC corner was turned in by Kamal Chioua just as the ref's hi tech digital watch beeped 90 minutes. Relief all round the CSSC ranks at a bit of a jammy victory prompting smiles all around at the post game beers, although Kinsella's outfit is unlikely to fit nicely into Stella's high income target market. Perhaps CSSC players should have a dress code where they have to select from one of these stylish offerings. I choose Kenny Dalglish but Pele and his Mercedes run a close, and very shiny, second.
Man of the Match: Scoring the only goal with the very last touch of the ball is pretty good, but the CSSC awards committee has selected Sean Brown not only for his stand out defensive display but his general commitment to making it to games despite minor inconveniences like his own wedding.
CSSC 3 - 1 Polonia
CSSC's line up was stretched thinner than a haute couture runway as they attempted to halt their two game losing skid. The chief culprit was the players' jet setting lifestyle that has kept the Winnipeg departures gate busy with trips to Morocco (4 players!), Holland, Germany, and Maine. Injuries to keeper Chris Aiken and grizzled veteran Ian Hudson further depleted the line up. To make up for the holiday-taking buttercups, the tougher members of CSSC: Wazoo, Matt Dryburgh and Dave Fernandes were rushed off the treatment table and into the line up, Sean Brown delayed his own wedding rehearsal and 20 year old CSSC old boy Dale Benyon was picked up on loan from FC Stingray.
It was a 0-0 kind of first half although CSSC certainly had the better of the chances. A practiced short corner from Kinsella to Sewart produced a wicked near post cross that Eli turned just wide of the post. The second big chance came when the keeper came out of his area to cut out a through ball, but he only succeeded in handing it to Benyon, whose long range shot brushed the wrong side of the post of the open goal.
The second half was much more eventful. Both teams probably felt that they should have had even more goals than the 4 laid on in front of an appreciative crowd waiting for the next game to start at the Waverly Complex. Two CSSC chances had already gone begging when Greg Chernomas put a far post cross right on Peyton Veitch's head and he managed to steer the ball down and, according the ref, over the line, despite the fact that the Polonia keeper was sitting on it. The second was the result of a stirring burst of pace down the left by Benyon, who was a real handful for the Polonia defense all game, beating two defenders and slotting home low at the near post. The deficit spurred Polonia into action. Skillful number 26 danced through the CSSC back line only to have stand in keeper Fernandes spread himself and shut the door on two separate occasions. They managed to halve the deficit when a lovely through ball found their number 9 behind the CSSC defense. His first shot was stopped yet again by Fernandes but he poked the rebound in. CSSC didn't have to worry too much about nerves because they restored the advantage almost instantly when a corner slipped through their keeper, perhaps suffering from an ill advised all black outfit on a scorching day, to Eli who made no mistake from close range. Fernandes insured that the lead held with three more remarkable saves, turning a header onto the bar, a rasping rocket over the bar, and the pick of the lot was when a point blank header from a far post cross saw Dave get from one post to the other so fast that he was already standing in precisely the spot needed to calmly collect the ball. His post game explanation from the comfort of the Round Table patio was that it was "slower than it looked." Thanks Neo.
Man of the Match: Benyon looked great filling in up front, Veitch worked hard up and down the wing, Chipman is really settling into the centre mid and Kinsella's stint at centre back looked like late career Beckenbauer, all composure and tidy passing. Still, the award has to go to Fernandes' top drawer keeping, especially since his warm up looked all bobbly shakiness.
CSSC's line up was stretched thinner than a haute couture runway as they attempted to halt their two game losing skid. The chief culprit was the players' jet setting lifestyle that has kept the Winnipeg departures gate busy with trips to Morocco (4 players!), Holland, Germany, and Maine. Injuries to keeper Chris Aiken and grizzled veteran Ian Hudson further depleted the line up. To make up for the holiday-taking buttercups, the tougher members of CSSC: Wazoo, Matt Dryburgh and Dave Fernandes were rushed off the treatment table and into the line up, Sean Brown delayed his own wedding rehearsal and 20 year old CSSC old boy Dale Benyon was picked up on loan from FC Stingray.
It was a 0-0 kind of first half although CSSC certainly had the better of the chances. A practiced short corner from Kinsella to Sewart produced a wicked near post cross that Eli turned just wide of the post. The second big chance came when the keeper came out of his area to cut out a through ball, but he only succeeded in handing it to Benyon, whose long range shot brushed the wrong side of the post of the open goal.
The second half was much more eventful. Both teams probably felt that they should have had even more goals than the 4 laid on in front of an appreciative crowd waiting for the next game to start at the Waverly Complex. Two CSSC chances had already gone begging when Greg Chernomas put a far post cross right on Peyton Veitch's head and he managed to steer the ball down and, according the ref, over the line, despite the fact that the Polonia keeper was sitting on it. The second was the result of a stirring burst of pace down the left by Benyon, who was a real handful for the Polonia defense all game, beating two defenders and slotting home low at the near post. The deficit spurred Polonia into action. Skillful number 26 danced through the CSSC back line only to have stand in keeper Fernandes spread himself and shut the door on two separate occasions. They managed to halve the deficit when a lovely through ball found their number 9 behind the CSSC defense. His first shot was stopped yet again by Fernandes but he poked the rebound in. CSSC didn't have to worry too much about nerves because they restored the advantage almost instantly when a corner slipped through their keeper, perhaps suffering from an ill advised all black outfit on a scorching day, to Eli who made no mistake from close range. Fernandes insured that the lead held with three more remarkable saves, turning a header onto the bar, a rasping rocket over the bar, and the pick of the lot was when a point blank header from a far post cross saw Dave get from one post to the other so fast that he was already standing in precisely the spot needed to calmly collect the ball. His post game explanation from the comfort of the Round Table patio was that it was "slower than it looked." Thanks Neo.
Man of the Match: Benyon looked great filling in up front, Veitch worked hard up and down the wing, Chipman is really settling into the centre mid and Kinsella's stint at centre back looked like late career Beckenbauer, all composure and tidy passing. Still, the award has to go to Fernandes' top drawer keeping, especially since his warm up looked all bobbly shakiness.
FC Russia 4 - 2 CSSC
Against perennial bogeymen FC Russia, CSSC faced the start of its vacation exodus. The back four was decimated by the team sanctioned absence of Woolford and Meuwese for "family emergencies." However, our top scouts, scouring the co-ed league, have unearthed what they hope will be a top notch addition to the midfield in Brian Chipman.
FC Russia can pass the ball a bit and they dominated the play in the first half. They took the lead when a shot from the top of the box squeezed under Aiken at the post. Against the run of play CSSC equalized when Greg Chernomas calmly slotted his first of the year low in the corner after being sent clear by a lovely pass from Eli Robinson. 1-1 at the half.
In the second half CSSC looked better but fared worse. The Russians benefited from a fortunate deflection off a very harmless looking cross and a penalty decision that was the greatest injustice since the opening day of the World Cup. CSSC pulled one back when Eli was sent sprinting clear. His crafty shot, a slow roller right at the keeper's feet, was perfectly timed for the precise moment that the keeper jumped over the ball. At 3-2 CSSC pushed to level. Fischer put a fantastic ball across the goal that Eli steered just wide and then FC stormed back on the break and put the game out of reach with an empty net tap in after covering midfielder Ian Hudson pulled up lame clutching his hamstring. Given the amazing amount of fortune enjoyed by FC Russia, the more superstitious among the CSSC support were heard grumbling about dark and sinister forces at work to ensure Russian victory.
Man of the Match: Eli had a great game up front - scoring one and setting up another. Sean Brown was a tower of strength at the back - cutting out wave after wave of Russian attacks. However, the award goes to the Red Bull ladies who dropped off far more tins of sickly sweet adrenaline than an entire soccer team could safely drink. Stef's son Owen was especially taken with the RB experience, declaring the cranberry flavour the best drink ever!
Against perennial bogeymen FC Russia, CSSC faced the start of its vacation exodus. The back four was decimated by the team sanctioned absence of Woolford and Meuwese for "family emergencies." However, our top scouts, scouring the co-ed league, have unearthed what they hope will be a top notch addition to the midfield in Brian Chipman.
FC Russia can pass the ball a bit and they dominated the play in the first half. They took the lead when a shot from the top of the box squeezed under Aiken at the post. Against the run of play CSSC equalized when Greg Chernomas calmly slotted his first of the year low in the corner after being sent clear by a lovely pass from Eli Robinson. 1-1 at the half.
In the second half CSSC looked better but fared worse. The Russians benefited from a fortunate deflection off a very harmless looking cross and a penalty decision that was the greatest injustice since the opening day of the World Cup. CSSC pulled one back when Eli was sent sprinting clear. His crafty shot, a slow roller right at the keeper's feet, was perfectly timed for the precise moment that the keeper jumped over the ball. At 3-2 CSSC pushed to level. Fischer put a fantastic ball across the goal that Eli steered just wide and then FC stormed back on the break and put the game out of reach with an empty net tap in after covering midfielder Ian Hudson pulled up lame clutching his hamstring. Given the amazing amount of fortune enjoyed by FC Russia, the more superstitious among the CSSC support were heard grumbling about dark and sinister forces at work to ensure Russian victory.
Man of the Match: Eli had a great game up front - scoring one and setting up another. Sean Brown was a tower of strength at the back - cutting out wave after wave of Russian attacks. However, the award goes to the Red Bull ladies who dropped off far more tins of sickly sweet adrenaline than an entire soccer team could safely drink. Stef's son Owen was especially taken with the RB experience, declaring the cranberry flavour the best drink ever!
CSSC 0 - 1 Hanover Sting
Apparently it was the coldest July 13 in 100 years. The drenching rain and driving wind forced the faint of heart to come up with excuses not to attend and the more dedicated members of CSSC to show up just at kick off time. Not so for Hanover, who had the whole team running through keep away drills before the first CSSC player emerged from the warmth of their car. Right back Bruce Sewart had to wear a toque for god's sake.
Hanover started the game with the gale at their backs and used it to good effect early on, notching a goal from a near post tap in after a driving run down their right side. It might be worth noting that CSSC keeper Chris Aiken was still putting his cleats on at this point. Both teams had chances to add to the scoreline in the first half. Increasingly adventurous Andrew Woolford lobbed the keeper but hit the bar and a Hanover striker drove a daisy cutting one timer just wide. There were positives to take to the freezing sidelines after a tough half against the wind.
Predictably the wind died in the second half, but CSSC managed to keep most of the possession in the Hanover end. Unfortunately, CSSC was no slap chop and lacked any kind of cutting edge in the final third. Their best chance most likely fell again to a marauding Woolford but he sliced his half chance high and wide during a scramble in the box. Hanover, one the other hand, broke fast on the counter and created several very dangerous chances surging down their left side that should have put the game out of reach. Aiken had to be brave to slide at the feet of a couple of attackers to snuff out good chances, Hanover hit the post, and Matt Loxley managed to clear not one, but two balls off the line. A deserved victory for a Hanover side that was a bit more up for it than CSSC.
Man of the Match: The fans that actually turned up in the miserable conditions deserve more credit than the players on the pitch. Pete Hudson, in from his summer home on Dorothy Lake, was forced to seek refuge in a fuzzy brown blanket to keep warm, although I'm assuming that he spent every summer of his English childhood on similarly attired beach vacations. The crew thawing out in the cozy atmosphere at the Jolly Friar after the game decided that between standout performances from Matt Loxley and Sean Brown, soon to be married S. Brown would be given the honour for a display of last man defending that will live long in memory.
Apparently it was the coldest July 13 in 100 years. The drenching rain and driving wind forced the faint of heart to come up with excuses not to attend and the more dedicated members of CSSC to show up just at kick off time. Not so for Hanover, who had the whole team running through keep away drills before the first CSSC player emerged from the warmth of their car. Right back Bruce Sewart had to wear a toque for god's sake.
Hanover started the game with the gale at their backs and used it to good effect early on, notching a goal from a near post tap in after a driving run down their right side. It might be worth noting that CSSC keeper Chris Aiken was still putting his cleats on at this point. Both teams had chances to add to the scoreline in the first half. Increasingly adventurous Andrew Woolford lobbed the keeper but hit the bar and a Hanover striker drove a daisy cutting one timer just wide. There were positives to take to the freezing sidelines after a tough half against the wind.
Predictably the wind died in the second half, but CSSC managed to keep most of the possession in the Hanover end. Unfortunately, CSSC was no slap chop and lacked any kind of cutting edge in the final third. Their best chance most likely fell again to a marauding Woolford but he sliced his half chance high and wide during a scramble in the box. Hanover, one the other hand, broke fast on the counter and created several very dangerous chances surging down their left side that should have put the game out of reach. Aiken had to be brave to slide at the feet of a couple of attackers to snuff out good chances, Hanover hit the post, and Matt Loxley managed to clear not one, but two balls off the line. A deserved victory for a Hanover side that was a bit more up for it than CSSC.
Man of the Match: The fans that actually turned up in the miserable conditions deserve more credit than the players on the pitch. Pete Hudson, in from his summer home on Dorothy Lake, was forced to seek refuge in a fuzzy brown blanket to keep warm, although I'm assuming that he spent every summer of his English childhood on similarly attired beach vacations. The crew thawing out in the cozy atmosphere at the Jolly Friar after the game decided that between standout performances from Matt Loxley and Sean Brown, soon to be married S. Brown would be given the honour for a display of last man defending that will live long in memory.
Sparta 1 - 5 CSSC
This game was all about injuries. On the plus side CSSC welcomed back attacking linchpins Eli Robinson and Greg Chernomas from long term stints in sick bay. On the down side, we lost Wazoo, Dave Fernandes and Peyton through the course of the game.
CSSC played the first half against a howling wind and a very high defensive line marshaled by Sparta. It all proved a bit too much of an obstacle as lack of movement and a packed midfield meant CSSC had trouble engineering much going forward although Ian Hudson couldn't direct a free header under the bar and Wazoo couldn't quite connect on what would have been a tap in at the far post. It was more or less deserved, then, when Sparta picked up a wayward CSSC pass in a dangerous area and slammed an unstoppable swerving half volley past a bemused Phil Samyn. Time for a fire and brimstone half time team talk.
Apparently the wind does make a difference as Sparta was forced to play a deeper back four and CSSC started to enjoy all the possession. However, chance after chance went begging and things looked a little tight until Kamal Chioua took a Charaf knockdown and hammered a 20 yarder into the the corner. The floodgates opened from there. Mark Hudson and Charaf Charaoui continued their goal scoring exploits this year with outside the box volleys of their own before Eli headed in a lovely free kick and converted a late penalty. 5-1 sounds good but it was touch and go for a while.
Man of the Match: The back four played an excellent game without any subs, especially Mark Meuwese, who had to play with a heavy heart after Holland's inexplicably toothless display in the semi finals. At least they still have Zwarte Piet. And a third place in the World Cup of course. Despite Mark's mental fortitude, the award goes to Kamal Chioua for banging in that much needed first goal and raging up and down the right flank all game.
This game was all about injuries. On the plus side CSSC welcomed back attacking linchpins Eli Robinson and Greg Chernomas from long term stints in sick bay. On the down side, we lost Wazoo, Dave Fernandes and Peyton through the course of the game.
CSSC played the first half against a howling wind and a very high defensive line marshaled by Sparta. It all proved a bit too much of an obstacle as lack of movement and a packed midfield meant CSSC had trouble engineering much going forward although Ian Hudson couldn't direct a free header under the bar and Wazoo couldn't quite connect on what would have been a tap in at the far post. It was more or less deserved, then, when Sparta picked up a wayward CSSC pass in a dangerous area and slammed an unstoppable swerving half volley past a bemused Phil Samyn. Time for a fire and brimstone half time team talk.
Apparently the wind does make a difference as Sparta was forced to play a deeper back four and CSSC started to enjoy all the possession. However, chance after chance went begging and things looked a little tight until Kamal Chioua took a Charaf knockdown and hammered a 20 yarder into the the corner. The floodgates opened from there. Mark Hudson and Charaf Charaoui continued their goal scoring exploits this year with outside the box volleys of their own before Eli headed in a lovely free kick and converted a late penalty. 5-1 sounds good but it was touch and go for a while.
Man of the Match: The back four played an excellent game without any subs, especially Mark Meuwese, who had to play with a heavy heart after Holland's inexplicably toothless display in the semi finals. At least they still have Zwarte Piet. And a third place in the World Cup of course. Despite Mark's mental fortitude, the award goes to Kamal Chioua for banging in that much needed first goal and raging up and down the right flank all game.
CSSC 2 -1 Red Devils
It was like Christmas morning for CSSC, if Christmas meant having to pay for your own presents. The new uniforms arrived today and, as you can see from the accompanying photo, they look smashing, at least on stylish Kinsella. Get your 2014 home kit at the club shop. Get your favorite player on the back for free.
Unlike previous encounters CSSC actually managed to put in a fairly solid opening half. Possession was hard to come by against a Red Devils squad that could pass the ball a bit, but on the break CSSC looked threatening. The pre game team talk about having the defense push up and getting the backs into the attack was taken to heart by Fischer who tore through the entire Red Devils left side before squaring the ball across to Charaoui for a tap in. Fischer's emergence as CSSCs number one set up man has him in hot demand around the nightclubs of Winnipeg. The second goal came off a well worked free kick that Ali cushioned down for Charaoui, who is really banging them in this year, to notch his second with a well placed one time volley.
The second half started out shockingly poorly. A tricky Red Devils winger escaped his initial marker, beat several CSSC defenders and rammed home a tight angle shot into the roof of the net. It was a quality goal but defending of Brazil like sloppiness. And the scorer was wearing glasses. The rest of the game passed with few good chances for either side, and those that were created were more due to defensive blunders than good attacking soccer. Things did get a bit tetchy in the center of the mid field with Mark and Ian Hudson getting into an escalating battle with number 32 and 10 on the Red Devils. Mark Hudson particularly found himself on the receiving end of diabolical threats along the lines of "I'll teach you how to play dirty!" and "My goal is to injure you!" Fortunately Mark has dealt with evil super villain banter before so his game was not affected.
Man of the Match: Peyton Veitch put in his best game of the year at outside mid. Mark Hudson was a one man wrecking crew in center midfield. However, it's impossible to ignore the man who scored both of the goals. Step forward Charaf Charaoui. His performance is even more impressive because he's on his Ramadan fast these days.
Photo Credits: The CSSC vs Red Devils photos courtesy of Pete Hudson and Mark Hudson. Bask in the glory of those sweet new jerseys.
It was like Christmas morning for CSSC, if Christmas meant having to pay for your own presents. The new uniforms arrived today and, as you can see from the accompanying photo, they look smashing, at least on stylish Kinsella. Get your 2014 home kit at the club shop. Get your favorite player on the back for free.
Unlike previous encounters CSSC actually managed to put in a fairly solid opening half. Possession was hard to come by against a Red Devils squad that could pass the ball a bit, but on the break CSSC looked threatening. The pre game team talk about having the defense push up and getting the backs into the attack was taken to heart by Fischer who tore through the entire Red Devils left side before squaring the ball across to Charaoui for a tap in. Fischer's emergence as CSSCs number one set up man has him in hot demand around the nightclubs of Winnipeg. The second goal came off a well worked free kick that Ali cushioned down for Charaoui, who is really banging them in this year, to notch his second with a well placed one time volley.
The second half started out shockingly poorly. A tricky Red Devils winger escaped his initial marker, beat several CSSC defenders and rammed home a tight angle shot into the roof of the net. It was a quality goal but defending of Brazil like sloppiness. And the scorer was wearing glasses. The rest of the game passed with few good chances for either side, and those that were created were more due to defensive blunders than good attacking soccer. Things did get a bit tetchy in the center of the mid field with Mark and Ian Hudson getting into an escalating battle with number 32 and 10 on the Red Devils. Mark Hudson particularly found himself on the receiving end of diabolical threats along the lines of "I'll teach you how to play dirty!" and "My goal is to injure you!" Fortunately Mark has dealt with evil super villain banter before so his game was not affected.
Man of the Match: Peyton Veitch put in his best game of the year at outside mid. Mark Hudson was a one man wrecking crew in center midfield. However, it's impossible to ignore the man who scored both of the goals. Step forward Charaf Charaoui. His performance is even more impressive because he's on his Ramadan fast these days.
Photo Credits: The CSSC vs Red Devils photos courtesy of Pete Hudson and Mark Hudson. Bask in the glory of those sweet new jerseys.
Wolves 1-1 CSSC
A combination of uneven scheduling and torrential prairie rain meant the CSSC had plenty of time to forget the thumping dished out by United Nova in their last game while going to school on the feast of footy that is the World Cup. Despite the inspiration of watching the best in the world for two weeks solid, the reality of division 6 quickly reasserted itself with CSSC's carefully crafted opening gambit of playing our first two passes straight out of bounds. Things didn't improve much after that. The first ten minutes were a non stop Wolves onslaught that might have put the game out of reach had stand in keeper Ali not performed absolute heroics, including one cat like save, diving to his right to claw away a sure goal on a clear breakaway. CSSC started to climb back into the game as the first half wore on and were unlucky not to go in one up at the break after Kamal absolutely rocked the underside of the bar with a close range volley.
The second half started out much better, with Fischer moving up from his usual center back position to make some dangerous runs up front. It was his corner that was turned in at the near post by M. Hudson to nudge CSSC in front. The advantage didn't last too long. A deep Wolves cross was palmed away by Aiken (who relieved Ali in net after he found his way to the right field, which also doesn't happen too much at the World Cup) but the rebound went right to a Wolves striker who managed a deft turn and shot into the far corner. Although Wolves was getting the upper hand over a flagging CSSC as the game went on, the only real chance to break the deadlock went to CSSC when dead ball artist Fischer knocked a free kick over the Wolves back line to three onrushing CSSC players but a distinct lack of talking, a crucial element of rec footy success, from the best placed of the three meant that worst placed could only steer his header over the bar.
Man of the Match: Ali has been asked to turn in his membership to the Wilderness Society because he has really destroyed the Wolves this year, but Stef Fischer shut down many a Wolves attack and then showed our forwards what danger looks like when he went up front. And he set up the goal. For his outstanding performance Fischer gets his choice of beer left over from the CSSC awards night. I think I saw a big tin of Farmery in the fridge somewhere.
A combination of uneven scheduling and torrential prairie rain meant the CSSC had plenty of time to forget the thumping dished out by United Nova in their last game while going to school on the feast of footy that is the World Cup. Despite the inspiration of watching the best in the world for two weeks solid, the reality of division 6 quickly reasserted itself with CSSC's carefully crafted opening gambit of playing our first two passes straight out of bounds. Things didn't improve much after that. The first ten minutes were a non stop Wolves onslaught that might have put the game out of reach had stand in keeper Ali not performed absolute heroics, including one cat like save, diving to his right to claw away a sure goal on a clear breakaway. CSSC started to climb back into the game as the first half wore on and were unlucky not to go in one up at the break after Kamal absolutely rocked the underside of the bar with a close range volley.
The second half started out much better, with Fischer moving up from his usual center back position to make some dangerous runs up front. It was his corner that was turned in at the near post by M. Hudson to nudge CSSC in front. The advantage didn't last too long. A deep Wolves cross was palmed away by Aiken (who relieved Ali in net after he found his way to the right field, which also doesn't happen too much at the World Cup) but the rebound went right to a Wolves striker who managed a deft turn and shot into the far corner. Although Wolves was getting the upper hand over a flagging CSSC as the game went on, the only real chance to break the deadlock went to CSSC when dead ball artist Fischer knocked a free kick over the Wolves back line to three onrushing CSSC players but a distinct lack of talking, a crucial element of rec footy success, from the best placed of the three meant that worst placed could only steer his header over the bar.
Man of the Match: Ali has been asked to turn in his membership to the Wilderness Society because he has really destroyed the Wolves this year, but Stef Fischer shut down many a Wolves attack and then showed our forwards what danger looks like when he went up front. And he set up the goal. For his outstanding performance Fischer gets his choice of beer left over from the CSSC awards night. I think I saw a big tin of Farmery in the fridge somewhere.
CSSC 0-6 United Nova FC
The scoreline really says it all. It was a grim spectacle that unfolded at Buhler as CSSC took the field against league leaders United Nova FC. United, who dropped down from the dizzy heights of Division 5 this season, where they finished third (nobody seems to know why they dropped). CSSC was fully outclassed by their skill and passing, no doubt. However, they also failed to rise significantly to the challenge, degenerating into a morass of sloppy passing, weak tackling, careless marking, and poor first-touch control. The hardy fans (Ed's dad) and team management had little to lift their spirits in the relentless rain. There were some sporadic spells of quality short-touch passing from the CSSC middle, orchestrated by M. Loxley and I. Hudson. Kamal Chiaoua and Chris Aiken were welcome returnees to the squad, with Aiken (apart from one slip which saw the rain-slicked ball squeak underneath the keeper's hands) putting in a solid show and Chiaoua making some bursting runs up the left. The 3-0 scoreline at the half was an accurate reflection, and though CSSC kept the scoreline down to 4-0 for most of the second half, two late-ish breakaways gave UNFC a crushing victory, and CSSC a wake-up call. Practice this week, anyone? A few drills really couldn't hurt.
Man of the Match: Little to choose from here, and with no post-match consultation upon which to base the selection, the Central Committee picks Ian Hudson, who did all he could to shore up the middle of the park as UNFC seemed to always have one or two unmarked players. His managerial insights at the half helped CSSC close down the source of UNFC's midfield dominance, he covered enormous swaths of ground for any one man, let alone one returning from injury, and his passing, first-touch control, and tackling were a model the rest of the squad would have done well to emulate. For his troubles, he got to pick up all the beer for the England-Italy game later in the day.
The scoreline really says it all. It was a grim spectacle that unfolded at Buhler as CSSC took the field against league leaders United Nova FC. United, who dropped down from the dizzy heights of Division 5 this season, where they finished third (nobody seems to know why they dropped). CSSC was fully outclassed by their skill and passing, no doubt. However, they also failed to rise significantly to the challenge, degenerating into a morass of sloppy passing, weak tackling, careless marking, and poor first-touch control. The hardy fans (Ed's dad) and team management had little to lift their spirits in the relentless rain. There were some sporadic spells of quality short-touch passing from the CSSC middle, orchestrated by M. Loxley and I. Hudson. Kamal Chiaoua and Chris Aiken were welcome returnees to the squad, with Aiken (apart from one slip which saw the rain-slicked ball squeak underneath the keeper's hands) putting in a solid show and Chiaoua making some bursting runs up the left. The 3-0 scoreline at the half was an accurate reflection, and though CSSC kept the scoreline down to 4-0 for most of the second half, two late-ish breakaways gave UNFC a crushing victory, and CSSC a wake-up call. Practice this week, anyone? A few drills really couldn't hurt.
Man of the Match: Little to choose from here, and with no post-match consultation upon which to base the selection, the Central Committee picks Ian Hudson, who did all he could to shore up the middle of the park as UNFC seemed to always have one or two unmarked players. His managerial insights at the half helped CSSC close down the source of UNFC's midfield dominance, he covered enormous swaths of ground for any one man, let alone one returning from injury, and his passing, first-touch control, and tackling were a model the rest of the squad would have done well to emulate. For his troubles, he got to pick up all the beer for the England-Italy game later in the day.
CSSC 7-2 Azzurri
The Crescentwood staff were anxious as game day 3 approached, as the CSSC lineup looked to be desperately depleted. With numerous injuries, absences, and suspensions, Eli Robinson was called up from the injury roster to take over in goals, and Matt Loxley was pressed into service against the (I will go ahead and say unfounded) advice of his athletic therapist. It looked like a desperate night at Vince Leah CC, until the opposition showed up with 11 players, several of whom looked as though they might have gotten lost on their way to this event.
CSSC looked strong right from the whistle, and M. Hudson opened the scoring fairly early on, receiving a pass in plenty of space on the left side of the box and slotting it in at the near post. Things looked comfortable until an Azzurri goal against the run of play spoiled the casual vibe. A quick, well-taken shot from the top of the box revealed some cracks in the CSSC marking, which were hastily patched under the direction of a vocal Sean Browne. Loxley reopened the lead minutes later with a lovely, looping outside bender, having received the ball on the edge of the box from Gonzalez. Two more goals before the half, one knocked in by the currently rampant Stef Fischer (two goals in two games from the stopper) and the other bundled in from short range by the equally on-form Charaf Charaoui (three goals in two games).
The second half was a fairly lopsided affair, and were we the sort of obsessive squad that keeps possession statistics, they would likely have approached 75 percent in favour of CSSC. Luckily, we don't go in for that sort of faddish pseudo-analysis. CSSC proceeded to put in three more. M. Hudson struck his second on a cut-back from Ed Gonzalez. The goal was hotly contested by the Azzurri left back, who argued strongly, for about 15 minutes afterwards, that the ball had crossed the end line prior to being cut back. He directed most of his venom at volunteer linesman John Loxley, whose eyesight and honour were vindicated by several other witnesses (all from CSSC, mind you) who claimed that the ball never crossed the line. Another goal was scored that has passed from memory, but I’m pretty sure it was Ed Gonzalez who hit it, and it was very probably a gobsmacking, spectacular kind of goal that one really ought to remember. Wazoo, who had been menacing in the box throughout the second half, finished off the CSSC scoring with a quick trademark toe-poke into the far corner. To their credit, Azzurri managed a consolation goal right before the whistle, from a very nicely hit looper into the top far post corner.
Man of the Match:
With so many goalscorers and some very nice performances all around, picking man of the match is yet again an agonizing task. However, this time around, it has to go to perennial bridesmaid (because he has been a candidate twice already this year, and not yet selected, rather than because he is always actually being a bridesmaid) Matt Loxley. Not only did he courageously and correctly reject the opinion of a qualified medical professional in order to play, but he put in the best goal of the night, was pivotal in creating several others, and generally ran the show in the middle of the park. As a reward, his old man fronted him the entry money to the CSSC World Cup Pool, and may or may not have paid for his beer at the New Host.
The Crescentwood staff were anxious as game day 3 approached, as the CSSC lineup looked to be desperately depleted. With numerous injuries, absences, and suspensions, Eli Robinson was called up from the injury roster to take over in goals, and Matt Loxley was pressed into service against the (I will go ahead and say unfounded) advice of his athletic therapist. It looked like a desperate night at Vince Leah CC, until the opposition showed up with 11 players, several of whom looked as though they might have gotten lost on their way to this event.
CSSC looked strong right from the whistle, and M. Hudson opened the scoring fairly early on, receiving a pass in plenty of space on the left side of the box and slotting it in at the near post. Things looked comfortable until an Azzurri goal against the run of play spoiled the casual vibe. A quick, well-taken shot from the top of the box revealed some cracks in the CSSC marking, which were hastily patched under the direction of a vocal Sean Browne. Loxley reopened the lead minutes later with a lovely, looping outside bender, having received the ball on the edge of the box from Gonzalez. Two more goals before the half, one knocked in by the currently rampant Stef Fischer (two goals in two games from the stopper) and the other bundled in from short range by the equally on-form Charaf Charaoui (three goals in two games).
The second half was a fairly lopsided affair, and were we the sort of obsessive squad that keeps possession statistics, they would likely have approached 75 percent in favour of CSSC. Luckily, we don't go in for that sort of faddish pseudo-analysis. CSSC proceeded to put in three more. M. Hudson struck his second on a cut-back from Ed Gonzalez. The goal was hotly contested by the Azzurri left back, who argued strongly, for about 15 minutes afterwards, that the ball had crossed the end line prior to being cut back. He directed most of his venom at volunteer linesman John Loxley, whose eyesight and honour were vindicated by several other witnesses (all from CSSC, mind you) who claimed that the ball never crossed the line. Another goal was scored that has passed from memory, but I’m pretty sure it was Ed Gonzalez who hit it, and it was very probably a gobsmacking, spectacular kind of goal that one really ought to remember. Wazoo, who had been menacing in the box throughout the second half, finished off the CSSC scoring with a quick trademark toe-poke into the far corner. To their credit, Azzurri managed a consolation goal right before the whistle, from a very nicely hit looper into the top far post corner.
Man of the Match:
With so many goalscorers and some very nice performances all around, picking man of the match is yet again an agonizing task. However, this time around, it has to go to perennial bridesmaid (because he has been a candidate twice already this year, and not yet selected, rather than because he is always actually being a bridesmaid) Matt Loxley. Not only did he courageously and correctly reject the opinion of a qualified medical professional in order to play, but he put in the best goal of the night, was pivotal in creating several others, and generally ran the show in the middle of the park. As a reward, his old man fronted him the entry money to the CSSC World Cup Pool, and may or may not have paid for his beer at the New Host.
CSSC 3 – 1 Polonia
In front of a surprisingly full bleacher at Vince Leah Community Centre, CSSC took an early lead and hung on for its second win of the season. The crowd, which included currently-suspended goalkeeping mainstay Chris Aiken and injured striker Eli Robinson, withstood an early-season swarm of mosquitos and the wafting aromas of the North End Wastewater Treatment Facility to witness a solid defensive display, tireless work from Loxley and Woolford in the centre, and what may have been Stef Fischer’s most exuberant burst of energy in five or six years.
CSSC looked positive going forward from the start, and had the majority of possession and chances early on. The account opened on a corner, swung over by the young cross-artist Peyton Veitch, and calmly knocked in by a header from the big target man Charaf Charaoui. Charaf never left the ground, nodded the ball in to the top centre of the net, and trotted back to the centre circle looking a bit surprised. The Crescentwood People’s Army continued to press forward to build on their lead, and were rewarded without much delay. M. Hudson, whose time spent lolligagging on a tropical vacation was showing visibly by the 15 minute mark, took a pass from Loxley on the right, and crossed in deep to the far post. The ball was met by a charging Charaoui, who deftly tapped in a short-range volley for his second of the night.
CSSC’s posture changed into a more defensive one at this point, and the opposition began to push forward, creating a number of chances, most of which were squandered by poor shooting. The mismatch between the speedy and skilled Polonia #9 and flagging centre-midfielder Hudson contributed to the swing in momentum, and only stalwart work from the Dryburgh, Fischer, Meuweuse, Sewart, and Brown at the back maintained the Crescentwood lead. Eventually, however, a lobbed chip hit from 35 yards into the box resulted in a collision between sweeper Sean Brown and Polonia’s centre forward. Despite Brown’s vigorous protests, the penalty was awarded and smoothly converted. 2-1 at the half.
With Hudson pulled off in favour of the more energetic Woolford, Loxley got some much-needed support in the middle after the break, and the match momentum began to swing back. Polonia still managed to get some good chances, including a superbly directed shot from the left side of the top of the box that went over Samyn’s outstretched arm and dinged back out from the far post. 15 minutes into the half, apparently exasperated with CSSC’s lack of forward progress, Stef Fischer took matters into his own hands and in a practical denunciation of the tiki-taka era, produced a replica of this Gareth Bale-esque wondergoal. Winning the ball deep in the Crescentwood half, Fischer pushed it past the Polonia left-half on the wing, burst around the outside to receive his own forward ball, and angled with purpose in toward the box. He looked to be cut off by two converging Polonia defenders, but they converged smack into one another, leaving Fischer with a one-on-one with the keeper, which he coolly rolled into the bottom left corner. Three-one.
The field opened up considerably at that point, with the Polonia #9 coming off and then subbing back on as a striker in a late managerial bid for goals. CSSC began passing more confidently in the middle, particularly between Gonzales, Loxley, and Kinsella out on the wide left. Wazoo began to rattle the Polonia defense as well, to be denied on the breakaway only by means of a clear, but unacknowledged foul in the box. Charaoui nearly netted a third, but was thwarted by the poorly-mown grass. The Vince Leah groundskeeper’s shoddy work slowed the progress of Charaf’s slow roller past the keeper sufficiently for a defender to clear it off the line, leaving it 3-1 at the final whistle.
Man of the Match
Stef Fischer’s fortress-like defending, combined with his magnificent solo supergoal, put him in solid contention for this week’s honours, along with perennial candidate Matt Loxley, whose work in the middle helped create the CSSC chances, and thwarted many a Polonian attack. However, the top-spot, according to those who made it out to the New Host on Main St. for beer and pakoras afterward, goes to Charaf Charaoui for his two-goal (almost three) performance and excellent work holding the ball up front.
In front of a surprisingly full bleacher at Vince Leah Community Centre, CSSC took an early lead and hung on for its second win of the season. The crowd, which included currently-suspended goalkeeping mainstay Chris Aiken and injured striker Eli Robinson, withstood an early-season swarm of mosquitos and the wafting aromas of the North End Wastewater Treatment Facility to witness a solid defensive display, tireless work from Loxley and Woolford in the centre, and what may have been Stef Fischer’s most exuberant burst of energy in five or six years.
CSSC looked positive going forward from the start, and had the majority of possession and chances early on. The account opened on a corner, swung over by the young cross-artist Peyton Veitch, and calmly knocked in by a header from the big target man Charaf Charaoui. Charaf never left the ground, nodded the ball in to the top centre of the net, and trotted back to the centre circle looking a bit surprised. The Crescentwood People’s Army continued to press forward to build on their lead, and were rewarded without much delay. M. Hudson, whose time spent lolligagging on a tropical vacation was showing visibly by the 15 minute mark, took a pass from Loxley on the right, and crossed in deep to the far post. The ball was met by a charging Charaoui, who deftly tapped in a short-range volley for his second of the night.
CSSC’s posture changed into a more defensive one at this point, and the opposition began to push forward, creating a number of chances, most of which were squandered by poor shooting. The mismatch between the speedy and skilled Polonia #9 and flagging centre-midfielder Hudson contributed to the swing in momentum, and only stalwart work from the Dryburgh, Fischer, Meuweuse, Sewart, and Brown at the back maintained the Crescentwood lead. Eventually, however, a lobbed chip hit from 35 yards into the box resulted in a collision between sweeper Sean Brown and Polonia’s centre forward. Despite Brown’s vigorous protests, the penalty was awarded and smoothly converted. 2-1 at the half.
With Hudson pulled off in favour of the more energetic Woolford, Loxley got some much-needed support in the middle after the break, and the match momentum began to swing back. Polonia still managed to get some good chances, including a superbly directed shot from the left side of the top of the box that went over Samyn’s outstretched arm and dinged back out from the far post. 15 minutes into the half, apparently exasperated with CSSC’s lack of forward progress, Stef Fischer took matters into his own hands and in a practical denunciation of the tiki-taka era, produced a replica of this Gareth Bale-esque wondergoal. Winning the ball deep in the Crescentwood half, Fischer pushed it past the Polonia left-half on the wing, burst around the outside to receive his own forward ball, and angled with purpose in toward the box. He looked to be cut off by two converging Polonia defenders, but they converged smack into one another, leaving Fischer with a one-on-one with the keeper, which he coolly rolled into the bottom left corner. Three-one.
The field opened up considerably at that point, with the Polonia #9 coming off and then subbing back on as a striker in a late managerial bid for goals. CSSC began passing more confidently in the middle, particularly between Gonzales, Loxley, and Kinsella out on the wide left. Wazoo began to rattle the Polonia defense as well, to be denied on the breakaway only by means of a clear, but unacknowledged foul in the box. Charaoui nearly netted a third, but was thwarted by the poorly-mown grass. The Vince Leah groundskeeper’s shoddy work slowed the progress of Charaf’s slow roller past the keeper sufficiently for a defender to clear it off the line, leaving it 3-1 at the final whistle.
Man of the Match
Stef Fischer’s fortress-like defending, combined with his magnificent solo supergoal, put him in solid contention for this week’s honours, along with perennial candidate Matt Loxley, whose work in the middle helped create the CSSC chances, and thwarted many a Polonian attack. However, the top-spot, according to those who made it out to the New Host on Main St. for beer and pakoras afterward, goes to Charaf Charaoui for his two-goal (almost three) performance and excellent work holding the ball up front.
CSSC 2 - 0 Wolves
On a drizzly spring day CSSC started its 2014 season in a new division against old rivals Wolves. There were a number of absences due to injury and a massive question mark in goal as first string keeper Chris Aiken served the first of his three game suspension but a solid 15 were ready to play by kickoff.
CSSC started off on the back foot as Wolves pushed forward right from the kickoff and smacked several reasonable efforts over the bar. As the half wore on CSSC came more into the game and took the lead after some tidy short passing in midfield through Kamal and I. Hudson presented Matt Loxley with the ball in space about 20 yards out. He settled himself and lobbed a deft chip into the top right corner. The second goal arrived soon after. A marauding run and cross from the right by Fischer was headed home by target man Eli Robinson. CSSC managed to see the half out despite Wolves rocking the bar on a free kick and Ali heroically pawing a ball that had slipped through his hands off the line. Fans of modernity pointed out that not wearing keeper gloves on a cold rainy day might have been a factor but traditionalists loved Ali's commitment to old timey football before the days of million dollar contracts, orange cleats and fields with grass.
The second half started out even worse than the first. CSSC was unable to get the ball anywhere near the halfway line under ferocious Wolves pressure. How they were unable to convert their numerous chances will remain mostly a mystery but it was at least partly down to three absolutely blinding saves by Ali and his second half gloves purchased as part of CSSC's capital spending project courtesy of the massive $150 check for finishing in second place last year. As the half wore on CSSC again grew in confidence and created several near chances of its own, the best of which might have been finished off had striker Adam Wazny made it out to at least one pre season practice to give him a bit of a refresher course on slotting home breakaways. It wasn't comfortable by any means but it was a win on the first game of the season, which marks a real turnaround for traditionally slow starting CSSC.
Man of the Match: Matt Loxley is going to be up for consideration every game. In addition to his delightful goal he powered CSSC from center midfield, covering a remarkable amount of ground and winning countless tackles. However, nothing could possibly top Ali's stellar shutout in goal. It wasn't as though CSSC played lock down defense in front of him and he bailed the squad out with several point blank reaction saves.
On a drizzly spring day CSSC started its 2014 season in a new division against old rivals Wolves. There were a number of absences due to injury and a massive question mark in goal as first string keeper Chris Aiken served the first of his three game suspension but a solid 15 were ready to play by kickoff.
CSSC started off on the back foot as Wolves pushed forward right from the kickoff and smacked several reasonable efforts over the bar. As the half wore on CSSC came more into the game and took the lead after some tidy short passing in midfield through Kamal and I. Hudson presented Matt Loxley with the ball in space about 20 yards out. He settled himself and lobbed a deft chip into the top right corner. The second goal arrived soon after. A marauding run and cross from the right by Fischer was headed home by target man Eli Robinson. CSSC managed to see the half out despite Wolves rocking the bar on a free kick and Ali heroically pawing a ball that had slipped through his hands off the line. Fans of modernity pointed out that not wearing keeper gloves on a cold rainy day might have been a factor but traditionalists loved Ali's commitment to old timey football before the days of million dollar contracts, orange cleats and fields with grass.
The second half started out even worse than the first. CSSC was unable to get the ball anywhere near the halfway line under ferocious Wolves pressure. How they were unable to convert their numerous chances will remain mostly a mystery but it was at least partly down to three absolutely blinding saves by Ali and his second half gloves purchased as part of CSSC's capital spending project courtesy of the massive $150 check for finishing in second place last year. As the half wore on CSSC again grew in confidence and created several near chances of its own, the best of which might have been finished off had striker Adam Wazny made it out to at least one pre season practice to give him a bit of a refresher course on slotting home breakaways. It wasn't comfortable by any means but it was a win on the first game of the season, which marks a real turnaround for traditionally slow starting CSSC.
Man of the Match: Matt Loxley is going to be up for consideration every game. In addition to his delightful goal he powered CSSC from center midfield, covering a remarkable amount of ground and winning countless tackles. However, nothing could possibly top Ali's stellar shutout in goal. It wasn't as though CSSC played lock down defense in front of him and he bailed the squad out with several point blank reaction saves.