Brits Avenge Loss of 1776

10/18/06 (Montville, NJ)

By Mike Shale, Special Reporter

After a game that once again supported the United Sates decision to break away from Great Britain (even our very own Paul left), Haledon lost a hard fought battle against the lads from Southampton last night in Montville, by a score of 2-1. After a somewhat shaky start during which sweeper Brad Smith had to clear two balls of the goal line in the opening 5 minutes of the match, Haledon settled down and played a virtually evenly matched game for the first 45 minutes, defending numerous chances well as a team, and creating a smattering of chances themselves.

The game quickly developed an aggressive feel to it, as some of the opponents felt they were repeatedly wronged by the official, and let him, and us, know this over and over and over again, sounding much like an angry Sean Connery multiplied by 11. Haledon withstood a number of offensive barrages, and the score remained tied at the half, 0-0.

The second half saw Haledon looking a bit like Poland in World War Two, defending attack after attack, with few good offensive opportunities, before giving up a PK, which Southampton efficiently converted. The game and any slight hint of sportsmanship began to deteriorate at an even more rapid pace at this point, with friendly chitchat between the two teams ratcheting up a few notches every couple of minutes.

In the 80th minute Andrew Alfano broke through the opponents defense at midfield and was streaking toward goal before being viciously taken down from behind in the box. Marc Riccardi proceeded to nicely finesse the ball in to the lower left had corner of the net to knot the score at 1-1. At this point, Haledon seemed to lose some steam, perhaps stemming form having few subs and playing on a massive turf field, and quickly gave up a second goal to the opponents. The final 5 minutes saw few good chances to score and the game came to an end with Haledon falling 2-1 in a hard fought match.

Haledon Snatches Defeat From the Jaws of Mediocrity

10/15/06 (Wayne, NJ)

Haledon managed to give up a late goal...yet again, this time the result being a loss at home to Doxa.

With a depleted lineup and only one substitute, Haledon looked to be in for a long day when Doxa scored only 10 minutes into the game. Haledon managed to steal one back though when a hard driven set piece deflected off a defender to Jim McIntyre in front of the Doxa keeper, who then passed it to Scott Shappell for the one touch tap-in.

The second half was a seesaw battle back and forth, as the home side battled Doxa and fatigue. It finally caught up to them when a defensive break down led to a breakaway from the side of the field for the go ahead goal. Haledon contintued to press, and was able to generate a couple shots on goal, but nothing the keeper couldn't handle.

Notes: With only one person letting Smitty know they couldn't make it, Haledon was severely understaffed with only 12 people. A fight nearly broke out with another team...not Doxa but a bunch of guys playing pickup who came on the field, and umbrage with Smitty letting them know that a permit was neccessary to use the field.

Haledon Kisses Sister

9/24/06 (Haledon, NJ)

Haledon once again couldn't hold onto a multi-goal lead, but this time the collapse wasn't complete as it only resulted in a tie versus a very good Real Wyckoff 2 team on Sunday.

Haledon started off on their heels early, but a couple of counter attacks produced spectacular goals. First, Giancarlo Lepore hit a rocket off the post and in following a botched clear of an shot by a Wyckoff defender. Ten minutes later, Paul Taylor hit a bomb from twenty yards out after a ball cleared out of the box from a corner kick came right to him.

Wyckoff came back with two goals before halftime, and after keeping the pressure on during most of the second half, seemed sure to score. But it was a Marc Riccardi pass behind the offsides trap that led to an Andrew Alfano goal to put the home side ahead. With ten minutes left though, a ball that made it through the box unmarked was tapped home by an unmarked Wyckoff player, to tie the game up.

Notes: It was me who let his man get behind him for the third goal. I'd like to blame it on something creative like slipping, or a great run by the midfielder- but really I just made a stupid mistake. Mea culpa.

Haledon on 1 Game Winning Streak

9/17/06 (Paramus, NJ)

Haledon managed to come out on top of a back and forth game, winning 2-1 versus RD Benders in Paramus on Sunday. Despite looking shaky at times, and giving up an early goal to fall behind 1-0 in the first twenty minutes, Haledon evened it up in the first half when Werner Mashig dribbled along the end line, beat one defender and touched it across the 6 yard line for a charging Frank Piccininni to put in the back of the net.

The second half started off shaky for the visitors, as they struggled to put together an attack. But eventually they were rewarded with a penalty kick (after not being given one two minutes earlier on an Albert Otieno breakaway that went harmlessly to the keeper after his shirt was pulled from behind) which Marc Riccardi finessed off the post and in, at 130 mph.

Notes: Kevin Kunzig again kept warm by doing push-ups on his fists. Marc Riccardi noted to the other team that he was "there to have fun, not be fouled by @ssholes. Dennis Oriwa took his turn this week as the player committing blatant fouls on the other team and getting yellow carded. Matty Kastner was not heard to say anything derogatory to the ref this week.

Haledon Folds Like a Card Table

9/10/2006 (Wayne, NJ)

Haledon led by as many as two goals with twenty minutes left, then completely squandered an opportunity to start off with a win over a quality opponent as they let Circassians run off three goals to lose their opener in Wayne.

Playing for the first time at the Barbour Pond field while Roe Street in Haledon is shut down for replacing, the home team seemed to take to its new surroundings nicely when they went up ten minutes into the game. Mike Shale dribbled up the right side, and crossed it to Albert Otieno who tapped it around the visitor's goalie to make it 1-0.

With ten minutes left in half, Circassian's evened it with a 30 yard blast into the side netting. In the second half Haledon once again took control when Werner Mashig headed home a Frank Piccininni corner kick. Fifteen minutes later, Piccininni was again the catalyst when another of his corners from the same side was headed in by Scott Shappell to make it 3-1.

Ten minutes later, Haledon gave up a penalty kick, and then the flood gates opened. Playing lethargic defense all over the field, they were on their heels as Circassians pressed for the equalizer, and then took the lead with four minutes left.

Notes: Kevin Kunzig warms up to sub in by doing push-ups on his fists. Marc Riccardi kept his consecutive months giving up a penalty kick alive. Mike Shale was the voice of reason, trying to keep people calm and assuring them "it wasn't worth it" when bad calls were made.