The Marin Spikes team played their 2nd game of the season today at 11:00am at McGinnis Park.  Today's opponent--Club Marin Bhoys; a team basically consisting of 14 yr olds (literally) and two older guys. Half their team could have been my grandchildren!!!  UGH!

 

Our team was pretty depleted this week as several people were away, including our Coach Red Center, and a few others turned up sick or lame late in the week and Saturday morning. Fortunately, our 8th Wonder of the World, CarloTogni, came to the rescue (again) and helped us out tremendously. That gave us 13 to start the game, with the knowledge that York would have to leave at half for a previous commitment.

 

The game started innocently enough with the Spikes playing/passing well, and making runs at their goal.  While their kiddies were young (like....12), most of them didnt have the first-touches or ball skills that our "older" "more experienced" group had.  And....on this day.....experience won out!  ; )

 

However, not before the infants drew first blood.  One of their mid-fielders made a run towards the top of our box and, as our defense came up to challenge him, he got off a dribbler of a shot that somehow found it's way into the farthest corner of our goal.  Ten minutes in we were down 0-1. 

 

But our own Boys&Fossils fought back and came back making several rushes at their goal.  About 7 minutes later, Adel had the ball on the left sideline looking for a pass option.  He found Lubos cross field making a run for their goal and sent a great cross to Lubos who sidestepped a defender and sent a rocket volley into the far corner of the goal!  SWEEEEEEET finish!  1-1 and we were back in step. 

The Spikes dominated the play the rest of the half, working hard, controlling the ball and breaking up their passing plays.  The middle of our defense, Gil and York in midfield, and Michael and John in back, played brilliantly all half breaking any rhythm they tried to get going.  Late in the half, Chris Jansen picked up a loose ball just outside their box with his back to the goal, turned quickly, and let go a shot that floated over the goalie's fingertips (who was way too far off his line) and into the back of the net!  2-1 Spikes at half. 

 

Halftime was tough...we lost York to his commitment, and then we also lostLubos late in the half to a pulled hamstring. So we suddenly went from 2 subs, to nada!  zilcho!  No bitchin about playing time this day!!!  ; )

 

The entire second half I was SOOOO unbelievably PROUD of our guys!!  Not only did Mike/John continue excellent defense and anticipation, but Carlo and Alan did an incredible job of denying their forwards the ball on the wings, or breaking up rushes on their sides!  Both Carlo/Alan played with great aggression and anticipation to steal passes before they got to their targets.  Izzy filled in for York in the center with Gil and did a great job, with Gil and Pat Mac, controlling the ball in the middle and distributed beautiful balls to Chris, and Adel.  Matt Shambroom played very strong in the 2nd half too; playing off his line very well to gobble up any ball that rolled into the box so their forwards had nothing to work with.   Chris and Adel controlled the ball up front creating several great chances with Gil/Izzy.  Adel made several great runs around their toddlers and his effort paid off late in the half. 

 

With about 15 min left, Gil sent one of his great corners into the box and while Chris and I jumped (and missed) the ball, Adel swooped in behind us to hit the ball on the volley into the top of the net from about 2 yrds out.  3-1 Spikes and the new-borns never threatened again after that.  Once again guys, I am SO PROUD of your effort and teamwork today!!  Great passing, great teamwork, great support!  We had fun today and played well!  And at the final whistle, it was the children bent over and exhausted.  : )

 

Our 13 stellar players were: Adel, Alan, Barry, Carlo, Chris, Gil, Izzy, John, Lubos, Matthew, Michael, Patrick Mac, and York.

 

GO SPIKES!