After the violent storm that made it’s way through our region, over a week ago, the aftermath and damage caused a delay to our 2022 season.
Many games were cancelled, including our MR4 team’s opening game vs. The Gloucester Hornets. However, our OT teams managed to get their games in, albeit on fields that were less than ideal to play on.
But we are grateful because for the first time since 2019, we will have a full season of soccer to look forward to!
Here are this week’s ‘View from the 18’ team synopses.
Our Wolves OT2 Team Coach, Mark Burger writes:
The OT2 Wolves had a tough opening night. Thick and wet grass proved to be disruptive to our passing game, and with a relatively thin bench, the Wolves never really threatened to win this match, as they struggled to find any real chances. Down 1-0 at half, courtesy of an own goal, the Wolves were still very much in it, but a disastrous 2nd own goal, sapped all the energy and momentum. Add 2 late goals that made the 4-0 scoreline, far worse in what was a fairly even match in terms of possession.
Bert Lee’s ‘Man of the Match’, was well deserved as he neutralized their top scorer and won every ball in the air.
Undoubtedly the best part of the evening was the post-match refreshments, where Domenic Morgante hosted another award winning Italian-themed evening with cannelloni, chicken parmesan, charcuterie, sausages and delicious fruit tarts.
(Editor’s note: Now that’s how you end a soccer game, well done Dom! )
This write-up from Wolves OT3’s, John Bergeron, our newest team joining the Wolf Pack:
Wolves OT3 kicked off their 2022 summer campaign at home against Perth.
Our boys scored in the first minute of the match, with a Wolves and Old-Timers debut goal, from striker, Jules Alie. The quick start looked promising for the newly formed team. However, Perth equalized midway through the first half and then took the lead into half-time on an uncontested shot off the post from just inside the 18-yard box.
A determined Wolves squad came out flying in the second half and levelled the match when a saved cross by the Perth keeper, fell onto Tyler Duncan’s boot, who then calmly put the ball into the net.
For the next 10 minutes, both teams attacked with few threats at goal, however, the Wolves found themselves behind again when a Perth player was deemed to be taken down in the box by a defender’s tackle, a questionable call by the match official. Despite protests from the our players, the call would stand and Perth took the lead from the penalty spot.
Shortly after, another questionable call against the Wolves awarded Perth a free kick from the top of the 18-yard box. The shooter managed to get the kick over the Wolves’ wall and past our keeper, giving Perth a two-goal advantage.
Perth weathered the storm in the final 15 minutes, as the Wolves attacked, frantically looking for more goals, alas the lead would not be relinquished.
Jules Alie as our man of the match. He had a debut goal and was really our best player throughout the game.
The final score from Ben Franklin Park, Wolves 2-4 Perth.
This report from OT4 keeper, Amedeo Melone:
A slow start to the first OT4 match of the season – a new roster and an early game left the wolves at a 3-0 deficit at half. Regrouping and late arrivals of a couple of veterans saw the team come back strong – a double header goal, off a corner kick, and a highlight real, Pele bicycle kick from Peter Stewart, had the score at 3-2, going into the final minutes of play – a massive offensive push left the back end vulnerable and the game ended in a 4-2 loss. Man of the Match Peter Stewart.
This game synopsis from Club Manager and OT5 player, Tony Zito:
INCREDIBLE is the best word I can use to describe the come from behind win of our OT5 Wolves against Soccer Multiculturel AS Congo.
The rain that had fallen for most of the day, softened this smaller pitch. It affected play considerably. We didn’t have a very good first half and facing a 4-1 deficit. It would appear we were staring directly into the face of defeat.
But we wiped that look away in the 2nd half, we paid more attention to controlling the ball on the sloppy surface, steering away from a long ball attack. It was working…..the score gradually favored our approach.
4-2, 4-3, led to 4-4. I walked over to our striker, Qemail Vuniqi and declared, you’re going to get the winning goal tonight!
But AS Congo had other plans, they scored again to lead 5-4.
There’s an old British saying, used when a team isn’t playing well, that ‘they’re stuck in the mud’, there was no such thing for our Boyz, we became almost possessed, we got this far, why not finish with a win !!!
We exploited cracks in their defense and pounced, scoring 4 straight goals in 5 minutes, 6 players combining for our 8 goals.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a large deficit comeback, in Wolves history.
And who scored the predicted winning goal, our ‘Player of the Match’, the aforementioned, Qemail Vuniqi, who happened to score 3, in total.
Well done Q, well done Boyz!
On a sad note, one of our players, Marco Bernabo, lost his father, Bruno, that evening. We dedicated the win, in his memory. Our sincerest condolences to Marco and his family.
Final score: Wolves 8 – AS Congo 5
FORZA WOLVES !