MNJYSA game #3
This was Flemington's first game of the season, and they seemed pumped up to play. After walking the field and having to move and anchor the goals, it was apparent that Cobblestone was muddy and the game was going to be sloppy. After practicing on a gym floor, then playing on a hard field with no grass Hillside, followed by a turf field a Livingston, the wet and muddy conditions were going to be something new for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats won the toss and chose to take the wind, and go down-hill at the Cyclones in the first half. As expected, the ball moved slowly in many areas of the field, and the footing was slippery which led to some tentative play on both sides. Both teams settled in after about 10 minutes and the Wildcats started to put some pressure on Flemington's goal; keeping the ball in their defensive third, shooting and controlling for a solid five minute period. Flemington absorbed the pressure well and made a surge of their own, that was capped off by a mid-box shot that struck the crossbar. With ten minutes left in the half, the Wildcats worked the ball downfield and maintained pressure for the balance of the half, but couldn't capitalize.
The second half continued in the same fashion as the first... Flemington has some surges, but the Wildcats succesfully stifled their advances and moved the ball back into Flemington's end. 15 minutes in, the referee finally made his whistle work and awarded the Wildcats a direct free kick about 10 yards outside the penalty box. Bri lofted a ball near-post side, about 6 yards deep into the box, that was knocked down causing a scramble... the ball rolled out of the scrum where Amy alertly stepped up and cooly placed a low drive to the corner putting the Wildcats up 1-0
Flemington did not deflate.. in fact quite the opposite; the conceded goal seemed to inspire their play and they increased their intensity and pressure. The Wildcats central midfielders and defenders worked hard to keep the ball away from their goal, but with only three minutes left we conceded two consecutive corners, the second one found its way to the near post where the Flemington striker blasted a shot that beat everyone except the bar. The ball hit the underside of the crossbar and deflected right to the foot of another Flemington striker who finished well to tie up the game.
The game ended in a 1-1 tie, which keeps the Wildcats in first place in the flight and still undefeated. Hopefully Palmer Park will be drier than Cobblestone and we can get back to playing our game again next Sunday against FC Copa
GO WILDCATS !!!