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Play Of The Game speaks for itself. This is just simply the game's most exciting bit of football over the course of the match.

The outdoor season's opening POTG features two lads that will probably star in a few more of these before the season ends. Thade and Kyle are joined at the hip in the middle and already look like they have been playing together for years. Kyle & Thade beat no less than 3 Croatians with their delicate one touch passing back and forth and then finished off their domination with a lovely through ball into Knappy where he scored the equalizer. It was Thade & Kyle's attractive style that would contribute to this year's opening, "Play of the Game."

It was early in the second stanza when Jukes would light up the field with some sweet footy. Chris has come back with a real love for the game and he has slipped right back into the starting 11 without missing a beat. A London striker was cruising in on Jukes as he was attempting to bring a volley down. Jukes turned his body sideways and chested the ball down onto his foot all the while he kept the London striker shielded from the ball by twisting snd turning his body while he got it under control. Jukes then turned and played the football back into his own end where his back four supported and moved the football back up field with no worries. It was Juke's calm and collected control over the ball that made him part of this game's, "Play of the Game."

It was a massive insurance marker that would prove to be the shout-out in this match against Salt Fleet. Thade sent a nice ball up the middle where Boych was banging and crashing his way to the net. Jere collided with the Fleet Keeps and as he went down to the ground with the netminder under him he somehow managed to send the ball across the keeper's box where Mikey was watching on. Mikey welcomed the gift -wrapped football and made no mistakes helping himself to the open space and net. It was this 2-0 lead that would be this game's, "Play of the Game."

Thade side-stepped an aggressive Woodbridge mid then shifted to his left and delivered a brilliant through-ball into Jere. Boych received the perfect pass and pounded home a huge goal giving his 88's an early lead in a very important Quarter-Final match that would eventually put our 88's into the final four. It was this Thade/Boych one-two that would be this game's, "Play of the Game."

It was midway through the 2nd half when Air stepped up and pinched in on the attack. He side-stepped an Azzurri striker then cocked his head and had a quick look up field. Fattori spotted Boych and without missing a beat he delivered a magnificent ball that dropped straight into Boych's path. The big man did not miss a stride and ran straight onto the lovely through ball and fired home a cracker of a strike for the game winner. It was this brilliant Air/Boych combination that would prove to be this game's, "Play of the Game."

This may possibly be one of the greatest back four heroics I have ever seen any of these kids do...and there's been a few over the years. Plus, this may be one of Fezz's greatest moments as one of the longest serving 88's. I had to give my head a shake and kept looking up at the grey sky for the instant replay(Man, I hate when I do that!). Anyway back to the replay I have lodged in my brain . Spide dashed off his mark and unfortunately mishandled the football due to an annoying number ten that caused Darlington headaches all game long. The ball jarred loose and that same number 10 menace advanced forward lunging his weight onto his right foot getting ready to pound home a sure winner when right out of nowhere appeared Fezz. Brandon came flying across the box and headed the loose ball out of harm's way forcing a corner kick which never did amount to anything. Fezz was completely horizontal when he made contact with the ball and the shear force of his header and momentum turned a guaranteed goal into a game saver that Spide was thankful for. I was in my van sitting directly across from this extraordinary play in full sight of the spectacle. It was that very reason why this was, "Play of the Game."

It was another one of those Bathe runs again. Greggors ran back and caught up to the Guelph mid and stripped him of the ball. Greggors then turned with the ball and began making his way back up the pitch into Guelph territory. It doesn't sound like much but it's always exciting to watch Greggors catch up to his opponent and then use that extensive long legged reach of his. It was this athletic move that was this game's, "Play of the Game."

There were a few exceptional plays that I noticed in tonight's match. Craig made a lovely defensive turn in the second half that did not go unnoticed. Squeegy dazzled us all with a lovely flick beating a Boro back but it would be a Knapp/Powell one/two that would make the night's highlight reel. A quick coaches decision to push Powell forward would pay huge dividends. Geoffrey headed the front lines as center forward and it took no time at all for a flanking Knapp to beat a Boro back then slide a beautiful cross over to Powell. Geoff scooped the ball up and drilled home a stupendous strike that proved to be the game winner. It was a Knapp to Powell that would be this Regular Season's opening goal that would turn out to be this game's, "Play of the Game."

The lads had to bring their "A" game to this Championship as it was indeed an OYSL Final. Not only did they bring their "A" game but they brought their "A" plays. The final goal of this game was certainly the goal of the season and may very well be the goal of the decade for these 88's. It was a gallop up the right touchline by Powell with an electrifying cross that swooped right down into the top of the box where Knappy was crashing towards the net. Andy slowed down and waited for the football to line up with his path and sights. He volleyed the ball without it touching the ground and it wedged itself into the top of the net giving the Woodbridge keeps no chance. It was the greatest volley I have ever witnessed any of these lads carry out. It was this spectacular Powell to Knapp volley/goal that solidified the Championship and the same goal that would be this Final's, "Play of the Game."

It was ten minutes into the 2nd half and it did not appear to be much at the time but it would end up proving to be a huge save. It seemed very harmless as the right winger on York released a cross into the top of the box. Four York shirts were waiting with anticipation as the ball swooped down into the top of the box. Spidey jumped and used his incredible hops to outreach all takers. The ball came in with incredible pace and could easily have given the visitors the edge but Spidey applied his super-human leap and his steady hands brought the football back down into his chest. It was a typical Spiderman stroll in the park that we all take for granted these days. It was this nifty bit of netminding that would be this game's, "Play of the Game."

It was 10 minutes into the 2nd half when Spidey did it again. Azzurri fired a shot at our beloved keeps and it had "Gooooaaaal" written all over it. However, Spiderman had other intentions. Spidey went through his motions. He set his legs. He flexed his quads and launched himself into orbit. He turned his body onto it's side as he propelled through the air left-fisting the football out of harm's way. He rolled and landed as if to ask for some 9.5's from the judges. It was a perfect landing as he sprung right back up to his feet setting himself for the next onslaught. It would have been an unprecedented save by any other keeper but it was just a stroll in the park for Spidey which is why it was "Play of the Game."

There's nothing like a good old fashioned set-piece in the game of football. A smartly executed set-piece harnesses discipline and control. Our 88's are finishing off more of these game after game thanks to their set-up artist Fezz. Tonight's head-turner came from another one of those very set-pieces I am ranting and raving about. It was late towards the end of the game when the referee blew the play down. Fezz walked up to the ball and set forth his directions. It must have been in braille or some kind of sign language because a word was not muttered yet the three involved knew exactly what was about to unfold. And what did unfold was a perfect set-piece that included Fezz, Squeegy and Kyle. Fezz walked up to the ball and glanced towatds the net as if to say, "Get ready 88's." The majority of Boro backs and defenders were watching and waiting as our strikers filled the box. Fezz struck the ball and at that same split second Bonazza pulled open the right by splitting out to the right side of the pitch opening up a nice hole up through the middle. As Squeegy pulled the line outwards Kyle roamed up the middle now experiencing a hole big enough to drive a truck through. He carried on up the field towards the goal and fired home a left-footed strike that solidified the road win. These Weigel set-pieces are becoming a house trait and there was no mistakes this would be,"Play of the Game."

I could have taken any one of Shake's runs up the left touchline into Hill territory finished with incredible crosses. He did those extraordinary runs every 3 minutes with 10-12 minutes left in the contest. The only problem was we could not get on the end of those brilliant through balls and crosses. It would be Shake's breath taking goal that would make the highlight reel though. It was the 2nd 88 goal on the night that would turn every 88 onlooker into a frenzy. Harris took a shot at the net and it would get blocked by a Hill back. The rebound came right to Howsam. Shake had no time to adjust himself and get the football onto his good side. He had to hit the ball on the roll and nail it with his left. It was a strike that Vince and I were talking about the next day at lunch. Blake caught hold of that ball and crushed it. He left-footed a strike that will be talked about for some time. I sat on the bench and watched it going wide and then the bending process began. That football was kicked with so much power I thought there was no chance of it ever breaking...let alone the bend that I was about to witness. Who told Beckham he could wear Shake's jersey? The football bent towards the upper right corner and placed itself under the framework. It was a magnificent strike from our crafty team player. Shake has been turning heads for over a month now. I have no idea what he is capable of doing next but nothing would surprise me after what I saw tonight. It was Shake Rattle 'n' Roll's left-footed bender that would be this night's, "Play of the Game."

It was a late injury time heroic play that would get the nod on this night. It was all over and Vaughan sheepishly crept away with a grotesque three points as the clock rang out. However, a referee that kept track of every delay and unsportsmanlike gesture, added on precious seconds which is why our lads were able to salvage a massive point on the road. The closing and final whistle sounded but not before a tastey bit of football. The referee blew the play down and awarded our 88's a free kick over on the left touchline just over the half-way mark of the pitch. Greggors walked over to the ball and adjusted it just right. Surely this was the last breath any 88 would take on this night. This would turn out to indeed be the last play of the game. Greggors lifted an ambitious ball over the ceiling of the box and it came down where Fattori was standing. Vaughan backs attempted to tackle the usual back-four 88 but on this day at this particular moment that same back-four veteran turned striker, used his head to pound home the equalizer. It was a brilliant set-piece free kick that featured Greggors and Air as Bathe's superb cross and Fattori's heart and soul pounded home a huge goal that represented 12 games unbeaten for our 88's. This late game-ending equalizer would be this night's, "Play of the Game."

It was quite late in the second half when a Blizzard striker dashed down the left touchline freeing himself on the wing. The Blizzard streaker was given the football on the run and had nothing but open space between him and Spidey. Just as it seemed he was about to start his pattern towards the box Bathe came right out of nowhere. Greggors went into one of those ever-so-familiar gallops of his where he focusses on an individual and does not settle for anything but ball. Greg caught up to the striker and stripped the ball off him and delivered it back up the other end. It was an incredible burst from our track star that would be this game's, "Play of the Game."

Scott & Craig have both been playing some nice football lately so it was quite fitting that they both figure in on today's highlight. Craig made a run towards the Hill box and Scotty placed a perfect pass that rolled along the ground and placed itself right into Cassell's path. Craig did not miss a step and ran right onto the ball finishing the picture-perfect pass off with a picture-perfect strike. Cassells pounded the ball into the back of the net for a huge opening goal. Scotty's precision pass made it all the way through enemy territory and honed in on Cassell's foot where the wee warrior finished the play off to perfection. It was the Miller/Cassell's extraordinary pass and goal that would be this Sunday afternoon's, "Play of the Game."

Jukes beat two men on the left flank early in the first stanza and then switched the football over to the right touchline where Kyle was patrolling. It does not sound like much but it's those little basic things that we continue to do right that keeps this unbeaten streak in tact. Jukes kept his head and renmained calm as he kept the ball from Spide's box and then turned the entire play right around kicking off a beautiful transition game. It was Jukes' excellent back three(not back 4) game face on this night that earned him this night's, "Play of the Game."

It came in the first half of last night's contest. It was at the twenty-five minute mark when Geoff contributed to the Canada Day fireworks. Once again we needed to insert Powell into another spot on the pitch due to injuries and other. Powell made an impact immediately and this one particular play I am about to elaborate on made me think about it over and over again. A Woodbridge player took a shot at the net and it was going in because the shooter beat Spidey and no one was left in front of the net. Well, right after the Azzurri striker made contact with the football Powell came out of nowhere and headed the ball off the line and out of harm's way. It was a magnificent header that saved a certain goal. It was Geoffrey's incredible reflexes and positioning that would keep the football out of the net. It was this extraordinary header that would be this game's, "Play of the Game."

This was one of those plays that is actually quite difficult to rant and rave about because it was one of those plays...you had to be there. It won't sound like much but it was classic grit and determination from Jukes in the back four last night. It was late in the contest as our lads clung on to a 2-0 lead with NSSC charging into our territory tasting a crack at the net. Jukes was the only one back on the left flank and he was actually caught flat-flooted but that just meant he now needed to kick it up a knotch and back-pedal in a hurry. Jukes caught up to the fleeing striker and ran him down. Jukes stole the football back and sent it up field in the favoured direction. It was an awesome second effort from our stay-home back as he flexxed his muscles to earn, "Play of the Game."

It was the 20:00 minute mark into the first stanza when Scotty appeared right out of nowhere. Spidey was beat and the ball was heading towards the goal-line when right out of thin air...Scotty shows up and sends the ball out of play saving the day and a sure goal. Scotty kicked the ball out of touch on the right side saving the day and earning, "Play of the Game."

It was at the 28:00 minute mark of the first when Spidey one-fisted the football over the bar for the highlight of this game. A London striker came in and pounded a ferocious strike which appeared to be honing in on the top of the net. Spidey leaped up into the air and one-punched the ball over the right bar. It was an awesome goalkeeping clinic put on by our back-stopper which proved to be the, "Play of the Game."

At the 31:00 minute mark in the opening half Andy made a brilliant defensive play that proved to be the outstanding play of this game. Knappy was holding down the right flank at the back and did a great job as memories remind us all that he played there for a long stint in the past and did a great job then as well. On this particular play he was confronted by a St. Catharines' attacker and he orchestrated a perfect slide tackle and stripped the ball off of his opponent. Andy then turned to his right and delivered a pass up the field turing the entire play around. It was Andrew's excellent "D" that would earn him this game's, "Play of the Game."

It was very early in this contest when the POTG would happen. Five minutes ran off the clock when three of our 88's turned a bit of magic. Kyle delivered a nice pass up the left touchline to Jukes. Jukes beat one man then sent in a beautiful cross to Fezz. Weigel lifted himself high above all others and pounded a lovely header into the goal mouth but the Windsor keeps made a magnificent save. It was a pass, cross and header that would be this game's, "Play of the Game."

10 minutes into the opening half and Spidey made a scintillating save that showed off his road hockey skills playing goal. A Clairlea striker was in point blank and let go of a shot that Spidey's senses honed in on. Stephen stuck out his left leg as if to make a pad save only this puck came in the shape of a football. Spidey threw his left leg out and his sprawling save sent the ball out of harm's way. It was Spidey's incedible reflex action and keen abilities that proved to be this game's, Play of the Game."

The highlight of this exciting match came from Jukes very early on. It was at the 0:07 minute mark of the game. The mid section in our back-four did the unthinkable and broke down giving a Top Gun attacker a free invitation to warm-up Spidey. Well, Jukes had other ideas and right out of nowhere he appeared. Chris executed a perfect old-school slide tackle kicking the ball out of touch on the left leaving the player on the ground tending to his calf. It was a brilliant slide tackle that made this game's, "Play of the Game."

It was 2-2 and the winning goal came at the 0:18 minute mark in the 2nd period. It was a massive marker proving to be the game winner that would advance our 88's into the Quartors at Schwan's USA 2004. Kyle was shifted up to the front left to make some noise which is exactly what he did. Harris beat a Havoc mid then proceeded up the left touchline. Kyle noticed his partner-in-crime, Thade, wandering around the top of the box just asking for an invitation. Harris lifted a perfect cross into Bolton where the advancing mid one-timed the cross and pounded home an astonishing cracker. It was Harris' acute vision and Thade's fantastic finish that would be this game's, "Play of the Game."

It was the 0:07 minute mark into the Quarter-Finals when the highlight of the night came. It was a set-piece that would electrify the Canadian fans in support. The play was blown down about 10 feet in from the right touchline about 35 yards out. Fezz crossed in an indirect free kick where he found Greggors just inside the box. Bathe received the ball and wasted no time and volleyed the ball before it hit the ground. Greg one-timed the football and roofed it into the back of the net. It was the opening goal that would prove to be this game's, "Play of the Game."

How could the POTG not come from a saved penalty from the spot especially when it just so happens to be a Spidey save? The play was blown down at the 31:00 minute mark of the second half and a 0-0 score at the time meant sure death for our 88's if the penalty kick went in. The Blizzard taker approached the spot and looked our keeps up and down. He released his shot and it was a nice high shot to the top left. Spidey dove off his mark immediately springing himself to the top left corner of the net. Needless to say he made a mind-boggling save that even referee Dave Staley(ex pro keeper) said after the game that it was an outstanding save from Spidey. It was Spide's PK save that wouild be this game's, "Play of the Game."

It was probably the turning point of the contest because it was this goal that eventually focussed our lads and got them back on track. It was the 19:00 minute mark into the second stanza when our lads jumped on board the scoring frenzy. Scotty easily could have been the MOTM on this night so he certainly deserved to be in on the POTG highlight at worst. Scotty saw the York keeps off his line so he came in from the left side and left-footed a perfectly-executed chip that curled its way over the keeper's head and under the top bar. It was now 1-2 and our lads had life back in them thanks to an outrageous Miller strike that beat the keeper for this night's, "Play of the Game."

It was midway through the opening stanza when Fezz went into stride and took on and beat 3 Flame players. It's not too often our stay-home backs go into runs up the pitch and certainly never when it comes to taking on more than one opponent...let alone three. Fezz picked up the football just outside Spidey's box and he went on a lovely run up the middle of the pitch. Fezz went into stride and took on no less than three opponents, beating them all before sending a beautiful through ball into Boych up front. It was a magnificent run from our back-four artist who head-faked and took on all three players in a brilliant solo effort. Fezz's aggressive run up the pitch was this game's, "Play of the Game."

It was still 0-0 in the second half when Kyle almost pulled his 88's ahead on the board. Once again it would be a post that rained on Harris' parade. He has an unsettling habbit at hitting posts and he did not disappoint on this occassion. It was the nifty shifts he did before he released his shot that would catch the eyes of the onlookers on that side of the pitch. Kyle dummied two Newmarket players as he ran up the right flank dribbling his way into Market territory. Harris head-faked and deeked out two men before he let go of an excellent strike that hit the post and stayed out. It was this 17:00 minute run up the right wing that would be this game's, "Play of the Game."

Nine minutes ran off the ticker when Fezz came right out of nowhere. Fezz just appeared right out of thin air as the football came down from a goal kick and he trapped the ball with his chest and brought it down to his feet so delicately. He settled the ball down and brought it under control but was not done there. He then moved laterally with the ball and proceeded to head straight up the field where he then sent in a through ball. It was this brilliant piece of back four heroics that would be this game's, "Play of the Game."

We pushed Kyle up front on the right side and he played like he had been hanging out on that flank his whole life. He made several brilliant runs up the touchline but one particular effort would make the highlight reel on this night. It was at the 40:00 minute mark of the opening half when Harris made an awesome run up the right touchline where he beat two Azzurri men and when the third man approached Kyle he turned with the ball and back heeled the football around the player then turned and ran onto the ball. He crossed in a perfect switch for a header to finish off the play. It was this nifty bit of Harris football that would be this game's, "Play of the Game."

Scotty has been crossing them in for 5 straight games now. His crosses can almost be compared to the great David Beckham. He puts 'em right where you want them. If you want a ball delivered at your laces or upon your head...Scotty will place the football where ever you want it. On this night he continued delivering spectacular crosses and the POTG featured just one of many Miller moments. Scotty put the game out of reach with the second goal at the 0:31 minute mark of the second. Scotty sent a free kick into the edge of the box where it found Bathe rushing in. Greg timed his flight perfect with the pattern of the cross and he booted in the go-ahead goal before it hit the ground. It was a lovely one-timer via Scotty's superb free kick that would be this game's, "Play of the Game."

It was Spide's third consecutive clean sheet so why not find a Spiderman magic moment from the game...and it was not hard to find. It was at the 25:00 minute mark of the opening half when Spidey made a game-saver keeping it at zeroes. Spidey double-fisted a point blank Eagle shot out of harm's way. It was incredible reflexes from Spidey that kept the football out of the net. Spide looked the shot straight on and double-fisted the ball right out of bounds. It was a tremendous strike from in close and it took every bit of Spidey's keeping to keep it out. It was this early Spidey save that would be this game's, "Play of the Game."

Sept 02 04 League Game 17 vs Woodbridge

It was a huge insurance marker at the 0:14 minute mark of the second stanza when Knappy and Bathe blew the score wind open. Andrew fed a perfect pass across the outdoor carpet right along the ground into Italia territory where it found Bathe. It was a long rolling pass from Knappy who saw Bathe getting ready to break free from the pack and create an opening. Greg let the football roll onto his right foot and he was off on his own private race towards the Woodbridge keeps. Greggors delievred an explosive strike into the back of the Woodbridge net for a convincing 3-0 lead. It would be this excellent pass and even better finish that would be this game's, "Play of the Game."

At the 27:00 minute mark of last night's opening half Knappy dazzled us with a very subtle piece of footy. Our 88's had the run of the play when Andy would make a back-pass to Fattori who was supporting his flank. It was a back-heel that was made with deliberate intentions yet fooling the two NSSC mids who jockeyed and straddled the oncoming Knapp. Knappy back-heeled the football to Air without breaking pace or a gesture to do so. It was a clever back-heel that made everyone stop and think once again how amazing it is having this crafty 88 on our team. It was this delicate piece of footwork that would be the final League Game's, "Play of the Game."

It was 1-0 for our 88's at the end of the first half thanks to the POTG early on in the half. A Burlington striker came in and fired a strike at the net and Spidey slid across his line and poked out his left leg as if he was Patrick Roy making an awesome pad save on Sundin. It was a monstrous save from our keeps that kept Burlington off the board until the second half. It was Spidey's phenomenal reaction that would earn him the last game of the 2004 outdoor campaign's, "Play of the Game."