SB Soccer: Two Important Road Victories

 

On Monday, at Galt, the Spartans played their most complete game of the season to date. Tight, focussed defensive play and a strong display of keeping possession of the ball with sharp, decisive passing allowed them to start the game confidently and dominate the entire first half of action. So dominant were the Spartans, they created 13 shots on goal, scored three times, and conceded no shots on goal in forty minutes of play.

 

Senior striker Liam S. got things rolling in the 12^th minute after he collected Zsombor G.’s long pass, strode past his defender and beat the Galt Piper goalkeeper with a low shot into the corner. Eight minutes later, fellow striker Anton L. challenged for and won back the ball in a central position just outside the 18-yard box. Seemingly, with the ball connected to his left foot, he dribbled past two defenders before hitting a rising shot that hit the back of the net before the Piper goalkeeper could get across the goal mouth. Stanstead pushed the score to 3-0 in minute 27. A nice passing combination began with the ball played around the Spartans’ back line before Noah G.’s pass found Henry R. half-turned and facing forward in midfield. Henry took a couple of touches and, as he drew a Piper opponent, he released a well-timed pass that found Anton on the run toward Galt’s goal, calmly finishing off the play with a well-taken shot. Unfortunately, the Spartans’ backline took a hit in the 33^rd minute of play when centre-back Noah turned his ankle and had to be subbed off. Score at the half: Stanstead 3 – Galt 0.

 

The second half was pretty much a continuation of the first in terms of territorial play and ball possession, with both weighing in the Spartans’ favour. Stanstead produced eight shots on goal while Galt directed three towards the Spartans’ net. Fortunately for the visiting team, all three Piper shots were either sent wide or over the goal. While we didn’t score in the second half, we did continue to play the type of game we have emphasized since the start of the season. All players received playing time, and the satisfying thing for the Spartans coaching staff was that every player demonstrated improvement as they have a clearer understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Jacob L. earned the shutout in the Spartan goal. Final score: Stanstead 3 – Galt 0.

 

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On another beautiful fall afternoon, the Spartans boarded the bus and headed to Richmond to face the Knights. Richmond has never been an easy place to play for the Spartans. The Knights have always had competitive teams who play well at home, and with their very direct style of play, they make it difficult for their opponents to settle on the ball. On top of that, the field we normally play on is small and very bumpy. Players must be well focussed and utilize their best first touch to maintain ball control.

 

Stanstead started this game with high pressure on the Knights’ defence, and it paid off almost immediately as we forced a corner kick in minute 2. Anton’s swinging left-footed kick landed directly in front of the Knights’ goal mouth, and, to the Spartans credit, the ball bounced off a Knights defender and into his own goal. 1-0 Spartans.

 

To be fair, both teams struggled to gain ball possession and do very much with it, and as a result the quality of the game deteriorated. By the time halftime rolled around, according to Spartan stats, there were 31 throw-ins, which is a clear indication that it was difficult to find or establish any type of rhythm and tempo. The positive thing for the Spartans was the fact they were able to produce 10 very good first half shots on goal, and if we are being honest, two or three of them should have found the back of the net. Spartans’ goalkeeper Grayson L. was steady as he handled a couple of pressure situations calmly and confidently. Half time score: Spartans 1 – Knights 0.

 

Richmond opened the second half with a brief wave of pressure that produced a couple of shots at the Spartan goal in the first minute. One of which resulted in a good save by Jacob L. who replaced Grayson in the Spartan goal. It didn’t take long for Stanstead to regain their composure, and once they did, they turned this into their advantage a mere three minutes later. Senior right winger Walker S., who played his best game of the year, found fellow senior Josh L. in the goal mouth. With composure, Josh finished off the play to provide Stanstead with the two-goal cushion they would not relinquish. Grayson and Jacob were flawless in goal and shared the shutout.

 

Like the first half, again, Stanstead produced three to four unbelievable chances they failed to capitalize on. On a day when we should be happy to earn a 2-0 road victory, we walked away partially happy and partially frustrated because of the many chances we squandered. If there is any consolation in this regard, hopefully we can put this right when the two teams go at it again, this time at Stanstead on Tuesday, October 7, at 4:15pm. Final score: Spartans 2 – Knights 0.