Fall 2011 - Get on Your Boots!

Game Day 1  (A Room at the Heartbreak Hotel)

Here we go, first game and the schedule gods hand us the usual tough sledding. First up Dayton United. We boast our new signing Dutch Lions coach Theo Ducaneaux. Theo takes his spot in the back four, marshalling the troops. He already matches the appearance total of Cor van Hoeven from last season.

We start in our new Dutch 4-3-3 formation, and are still working out the kinks but our two friendlies at the High School stadium give us an early leg up. After a nervy 10 minutes we settle in and give a good account of ourselves, until a mix up and some ball bobbling gives away a scrappy opener. 

We do not buckle though and come right back and score an equalizer through that man Jim Woeste. An incisive goal that steadies the ship well. Then against the run of play a free kick swung to the back post gets nodded home by an unmarked man. Disaster struck!

But we keep going at our task and a great cross from Tom Hicks finds the captain Stewart Phillips on the edge of the box, who makes a neat first touch flick to Glen Neimier. Glen takes a touch to create a little space and riffles the ball home. Game on!

We finish the half on level terms. The second half we are really starting to pile on the pressure as United seem to be tiring in the heat. Then against the run of play again, a breakdown in the back lets them score a third. Time to up the tempo. We plug away and the game turns a little chippy. Some cards are issued, especially after Chris Spirk is taken out by a viscous tackle. Should that have been red? No intent to play the ball, lucky man gets just a yellow.

Their number 12 is now acting like a fourth official, trying to tell the ref what calls to make, complaining and generally whining at everything. He tries to push Tony Ricker around but finds that was a bad choice and comes of worse several times. This guy should stick to what he knows best, history. And his history is certainly not that of a choirboy!

Finally our ball carry artist, Adrian Shergill arrives, better late than never. He gets thrown into the action and immediately goes on a trademark run with no end in sight. They are really unnerved by the unpredictability of it.

As we press with time running low, one of our original Dutch masters, Charles van der Sliujs pokes a perfectly weighted through ball the Stewart, who is uncommonly pushed right up to the edge of the box. Talking one touch and firing a low drive, inexplicably it goes just wide. A perfect chance to level wasted, a telling blow.

As we throw more and more at them, they start to panic and loose their composure, but on a fast break against what is now our back three, their best player unleashes a 25 yard thunderbolt that flies into the back of the net. Erik gets a hand to it but it is too high and too hard to stop. Game over.

So we soldier on and go into week to facing the new boys of Lexis Nexis. Some old faces we know well and some fresh boys to the league. Let the battle commence.

Game Day 2 – (I still haven’t Found What I’m Looking For)

And that would be a win, three points, getting out of the blocks. Call it what you will, we are still looking for it. With the new boys, with plenty of familiar faces, coming calling for us, we felt we could compete. We were still missing Pat Greco, our Italian Stallion, but also had former all Ohio, Chris Spirk, injured, Eric Woener, out of town and a newly injured Glen Nemeier all absent. Which left us short on offense. Did it ever! However it was in defense that we really came unstuck here.

With the game starting amid some summer rain, it should have been a great night for soccer. But gifting three soft goals in the first 20 minutes, never a good idea. Then we settled down and started to play. Pulling one back on the stroke of half time with a poachers goal from Kevin Hurst. Welcome back that man!

As we pushed on, not playing particularly well, struggling to string more than two passes together, we were awarded a penalty after a cheap hack from behind on our captain. Up stepped Jim Woeste, “never seen Jim miss one before” we were all thinking. Saved! The unthinkable happens. To make matters worse our opponents get a break away minutes later and take their lead to 4-1. Then 5-1.

Game appearing over we stuck to the task, but still not playing anywhere close to our best. We pull one back, trying to save some face, but we quickly give up a sixth. And there it was. A bad loss where we failed to show up. With the might of the Chrome Empire up next, we will have to really step up our game. Otherwise we will be stuck in a moment we can’t get out of.

Game Day 3 - (Moment of Surrender)

So he we are, game week three and still looking to put something on the board. Our task is as big as it gets, the Chrome Empire. Arriving at the fields on a perfect night to play, the only thing missing is half of the squad. Of the eleven at kick off three are sporting injuries that may have had them sitting the game out if a full squad were present.

As it is our squad has already lost a soldier. Our newest Dutch master was on a plane heading home after a disagreement with someone from a neighboring country. Grudges from the old world run deep!

We begin playing with some in unfamiliar positions and some having to face up to a lot more playing time than they were ready to handle. Some limping along gamely. We dodge a few early bullets and make a few forays of our own, but we succumb to the inevitable and finish the half two goals down, but we now have two subs to rest the ailing.

The second half brings the collapse, we have chased and pressed so hard, against a team that is far and away the best in the league at keeping the ball. Our weary and injured men cannot keep up the pace or stop the onslaught. We are now four down. But a sliver of hope of respectability comes when our newly return Italian Stallion, Pat Greco, freshly returned from his Siberian nuptial trip, pounces on a loose ball and finds the back of the net with a sweetly taken shot.

But alas more woe is to follow and when the sixth goal occurs, our keeper says enough is enough and leaves the field of play with darkness falling. It must have been darker than we though as the linesman allows the goal to stand claiming our right back played the scorer onside. Inexplicably our right back is at the half way line with four players behind him, three wearing the same color shirt as himself! It was so dark we could see no line on the horizon.

So we surrendered. An action we should never repeat. Next up is the boys from Metro, we travel all the way to Centerville for our road trip. This time we are looking for a beautiful day, something magnificent. We will need to rise up, so we can return to Bellbrook with a sort of home coming. For if we don’t we may find ourselves stuck in a moment we can’t get out of. We will be wondering where did it all go wrong.

Game Day 4 – (Beautiful Day)

So off we go on a road trip all the way to the Indian Summer Sky’s of Centerville for a day/ nighter. That city of blinding lights. We kick of against the mighty Metro boys under a perfect sky for soccer. Daylight and a nice and comfortable high sixties temperature. We know we won’t have to worry about fading light in this one, we have the lights coming on as dusk settles. We are part one of a double header. Ah, Wednesday night lights.

After thanking Adrian for his tax dollars paying for the lights, we kick off, fresh from the news that we have lost another soldier. Jim Weoste, master of the dark art of goal poaching, has succumbed to the dreaded arthritis.

We have subs this time so as we settle into the game, we rotate players to keep everyone fresh. After a nervy start we get into our rhythm. We are passing well and are starting to dictate the tempo of the game. As we press,  using the width of the field well, a nice cross finds Andy Klepacz on the edge of the box. He fakes one way, cuts inside and unleashes a fierce daisy cutter into the far corner, text book finish. We hold the 1-0 lead until half time.

Our slow start in the second half has us a little worried as we cede too much possession. Then we find our groove again, Camilo Macario and Thom Hicks terrorizing their defense with some great running and incisive passing. Glen Niemeier finds himself 25 yards from goal, unmarked, and sends a perfectly weighted shot over the keeper, it dips under the bar and nestles perfectly in the back of the net. 2-0!

We dare to dream, I remember you, three points, that winning feeling! We are really playing well now, the midfield is controlling the game. We are now holding what we have and playing counter attack, Mourinho style, as they are forced to bring more and more bodies forward in search of something. Erik Hart is playing great in goal and coming out quickly to snuff out the through balls, starting the counter attacks with good service. Build from the back, pass well and good things will happen. Adrian is still going about his mysterious ways, but it is working!

Late on a surging run from Andy Klepacz up the right, he is joined in support from the forward and midfield positions. A great cross behind the defenders finds Stewart Phillips unmarked in the box. Trap, turn, shoot, a thunder bolt that evades the keeper but does not go in, it hits the upright and cannons back into the onrushing path of Kevin Hurst. Kevin takes a difficult chance and makes it look so easy. Rejoice, Rise up, the sweetest thing. A win. And a clean sheet too, just deserts for a hard working and well organized defense.

So we are on the board. Next up, the boys from Frickers come calling as we return home to Bellbrook.


Game Day 5 - (I'll Go Crazy If I don't Go Crazy Tonight)

Are we Arsenal in disguise! (We would be less disguised if Ron ever finished the new shirts) Arsenal, a team many aspire to, plenty of posession, pretty passing, but when it comes down to the business end of the game, they lack the fire power to finish teams off. Describes us perfectly. On a night that looked to be a raining cold affair, the weather turned, providing a perfect night to play.

With the pitch wet, the grass freshly cut, there was all that was needed to play a passing game. We were playing Frickers, a team that we always enjoy, great guys, good match up, we have never had a game with them that wasn't settled by more than a goal between the teams. And so it was to be tonight.

We start the game at a bright pace, passing well and looking to take the atack to our opponents. Then ten minutes in, the freak incident of the night happens. A long speculative effort hits the bar, bounces back just as our keeper, Erik Hart, is turning, and it hits him on the shoulder and goes in! What are the odds on that?

We battle on, having more posession and plenty of shots, some even on goal! But we have a mental lapse at the back and before we know it we are 2-0 down. Sticking gamely to our task, still enjoying lots of the ball, Andy Klepacz hits one that gets blocked into the path of Kevin Hurst, who slides in neatly under the keeper.  Game on.

We press on enjoying the lions share of the ball, Camilo Macario is tearing them apart with his clever dribbling skills. But again we fail to capitalize. Then Andy gets the ball on the edge of the box and feints one way, cuts the other and puts it into the far corner. 2-2. We ar back in the game. Knocking on the door of October, we are One Step Closer.

We battle on, the keeper of Frickers is playing a blinding game, frustrating us and rejecting our many attacks. Then they catch us napping on a counter attack and we are 3-2 down. We have time though, we push more and more bodies forward. But it become a Race Against Time.

We attempt to Rise Up, as our injured soldier Jim Woeste is in attendence to cheer us on. But the game can be So Cruel, as we know Some Days are Better Than Others. Darkness is falling as we get a free kick, THom Hicks hits a beauty, but the keeper once again saves. We fail to pick up the scraps, I guess Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own.

The whistle blows for time. Another loss. But Frickers being the team that they are join us at Macs and we share some Stories for the Boys. A fun game, one we deserved more out of, but in true Arsenal fashion, that has been the way for much of our season.

The boys from the Fossils come up next Wednesday. Is this a night where we get to feel Magnificent?

Game Day 6 – (October)

We it could not be a better evening for soccer, warm, sunny, freshly cut and lined field. Perfection describes the conditions for tonight’s game. Can we live up to the hype?

We are playing the Fossils, a genial group of players, always giving their best effort and never backing down. We see the return of our attacking midfielder, Chris Spirk, first game since game day one and the cracked rib.

We push Kevin Hurst into center forward as he has been a source of goals of late. First action sees Spirk take a hard shot in the face, his first touch since August….ouch! He gets barley two touches with his feet and bang, crash, wallop, there goes his hamstring. Done for the day at least.

As usual, we start a little sloppy and push up too high. We are too static on retreat and suffer a counter from the speedy Fossils forward. Classic ball over the top, foot race, goal. One down in the first five minutes. We seem to be making a habit of gifting early goals.

The Fossils then decided to pack in the midfield and defense and rely sole on the long ball counter attack. With lessons learned, our defense and midfield fixed out problems and remained tighter. Backed up by solid goal keeping and good quick distribution from Erik Hart in goal, we looked comfortable for the most part.

Adrian picks up the ball and starts his usual move in mysterious ways. They shout “he is just going to dribble” so he passes, several times, completely setting them back on their heels. They are left numb, running to stand still so to speak.

We press hard, playing much better than them and enjoying the lions share of possession, the break through does not come before half time. We are dominating but rushing things in the last third of the field. Patient gentlemen!

We start brightly in the second half, with Andy Klepacz leveling things early in the half. Would this bring the Fossils out more and open up space? No they remain stubborn, seemingly happy to play for the point. We have been making the same mistake for much of the game, trying to force things a little too much. We need to stop passing the ball to their keeper!

They are still defending and defending, with little attacking threat shown, is this anti football? Then Instant Karma. Brent Jones is mauled to the ground, free kick. Our captain Stewart Phillips takes it, getting the wall moved back and waiting for the whistle, he notices Camilo Marario drifting away from his marker. Taking a fast driving kick, Camilo flicks it delicately into the corner of the net. Game on, 2-1 good guys.

Light is becoming an issue now. But as they are now trailing, we are finding more and more space, as we are now the counter attacking team. Tommy misses a golden chance from 5 yards out, this man deserves a goal for the work rate and fine play he has displayed all season. But the nail in the coffin, comes from that man Andy Klepacz. His is on fire in the mid-season run he is on. He neatly finishes after some nice passes.

So there it is. 3-1, smile, three points as we start our late charge up the table. There we are, rejoicing, looking forward to the ever improving Southern 50 up next.

Game Day 7 – (Pride (In The Name of Goals))

The boys from Southern 50 come calling this week. We vow not to give them any southern hospitality. Too many games this season we have given up an early goal and had to claw our way back into the game. Funny how we start to play well after conceding.

Our choices were, start fast, concentrate and execute the game plan, or, just go ahead and put one in our own net to get it out of the way! Thankfully, we choose the first option. We are playing with control, pace and look to threaten in the first minute.

The 4-3-3 is working its magic as we dominate the midfield. Their two central midfielders are simply Running to Stand Still. A few early sighters from Glen Nemeier seems to be a warning for them. Their back line is pushing up high and their keeper comes way out. Point noted, logged in the memory backs of tactical awareness.

Our defense is rock solid, Erik Hart is itching to do more than take a couple of goal kicks, but really is quite happy to do just that. He does get lonely at times. We are snuffing out all they throw at us with ruthless efficiency, then building from the back, patiently waiting for the openings to attack.

Adrian “dribble machine” Shergill, is doing his creative best to bamboozle them, which he does, and us, and himself! Then realizing, Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own, he slides a nice ball to Glen, who cool and ice, pulls the duly noted goalkeeper positioning note from his tactical satchel, and chips a delightfully weighted ball over his head and into the far corner of the goal. 1-0.

Subbing regularly to keep the troops fresh, we continue at a fast pace, stretching them and patient waiting for the invitation. Our three central midfielders controlling the tempo and inviting the outside forwards and full backs to provide the wide support.

Then Camilo Macario dances into the middle of the field from the wide position, creating a numbers miss-match. Stewart Phillips, makes a well timed run and Camilo slides a delectable ball between the center backs and send Stewart one on one with the keeper. What Touch our central American wizard has.

Seeing the keeper in no mans land, on his heels, Stewart calmly slides the ball inside the near post, and there we are barley 20 minutes into the game and its 2-0. I Believe In Father Christmas!

Next to get into the action, Brent Jones. Playing wide right, he collects a neat volleyed clearance from Blake Blunkall, rumbles through and slots neatly in the far corner, 3-0, 30 minutes gone. Not satisfied with that Brent sees the keeper once more off his line too far and from a full 40 yards hits one Endless Deep, So Cruel, in it goes. 4-0, this is becoming a Promenade.

Half time comes, and respite for the Southern boys. We decide to play the second half in Bizarro formation. Forward and mids on defense, defenders up top. Ron Barklay giving a master class on how many ways to be offside. Blake Blunkall tearing apart the left back but still looking for a goal, his finishing is a little Out of Control. He keeps trying, and gets One Step Closer, but Still Hasn’t Found What He’s looking For.

With daylight fading it’s a Race Against Time, to get one of our boys from the back a goal. We now have an all English center back pairing, and are really knocking it around at the back, getting Erik some touches. Now it is getting so dark there is No Line on the Horizon, we can’t even see the parking lot, let alone the horizon.

Then one party trick too many, we give away possession cheaply and they break through on goal, poor Erik has no chance in this darkness. They get their One. The ref gives us the One Minute Warning. Then game over, 4-1. A good nights work, on to the Macs to dissect the game.

Next up the mighty, mighty Boston. They have been huge this season, scoring many goals and only losing to the evil Chrome Empire. We always enjoy battling with the Boston boys. Hopefully we can get an early start to maximize the play time.