Sunny in Somerville – Game 2 Recap

Wow, what a game . Lots of great action on both offense and defense. Elliot Rippe’s canon of a right foot was locked and loaded from the start. Making his way to his sweet spot at the top right of the 18 yard box Elliot netted the first of his two goals – dropping a solid shot in behind the Chelmsford keeper. BMachine offense was mounting a relentless attack down the right side but were held at bay fairly well by the Chelmsford defense. The Bmachine effort almost paid off as another shot from that same sweet spot from Elliot sailed high over the crossbar. Then a poor punt by the Chelmsford goalie allowed a direct free kick for Somerville. Elliot curled it nicely over the 3 man wall and into the left side of the net.

Moments later, Chelmsford’s #27 made a spectacular run down the right wing and crossed the ball into the box but BMachine keeper Iladro Sauls easily fell on the ball near the right post. This was the first of many saves for Iladro on the day and not the last to be seen of the Chelmsford attack.

Throughout the game the ref made good on his pre-game prompting as he set about calling a fair number of fouls for pushing and shirt grabbing – much to the dismay of the Bmachine midfielders.

Iladro’s defense of the Somerville goal was tested in the second half. One save immediately after the opening whistle was followed by a stroke of luck as a Chelmsford forward shanked a shot from the 6 yard line. Iladro and the Bmachine defenders would thwart a few more attacks by Chelmsford strikers including Iladro’s save of a Chemlsford PK 1/2 way through the second half of play.

Somerville’s 3rd goal came with about 10 minutes left in the game. Ethan Sweeting easily placed a PK in the back of the Chelmsford net.

A fourth Somerville goal by Jamie Keegan was ruled out as an off-sides goal near the end of the game.

All in all another great outing by the Blue Machine. Next week we are on the road in Wakefield. See you there!

Keegan Risks Red Card

No doubt, Keegan’s aggressive play is an asset for the Bmachine. However, during their first game of the season the team almost saw their first red card as well. Forward Keegan, charges after a bobbled ball by the Reading keeper. A solid thwack at the ball sprays the keepers face with dirt and cleat.  Miraculously the keeper hangs on for a great save. Then the ref charges in and chews Jamie’s ear off in a classic ref stare down. Jamie makes a wise choice not to challenge the ref and escapes with just a warning.

Season Opener – Recap

A lively season opener saw the Blue Machine through to a convincing 2-0 win over Reading’s Red and Black.  Both teams played hard and, much to their parents approval, BMachine players actually concentrated on the game for the most part.  Parents, and coaches, look forward to a minimum of shenanigans from the bench as the team attempts to repeat it’s appearance in the Commissioners Cup come June.

Everyone seemed to by playing well.  Good energy and decent ball movement were rewarded with goals from Eliot and Jamie.  The ever opportunistic Jamie Keegan was, again, in the right place at the right time as he squeezed a rebound shot under the goalie for the 1st score in the first half.  In the second half, Eliot’s blistering PK to the upper right corner of the net was set up by a martyr-like sacrifice of one Marcelo Brociner who took a sledgehammer foul from one rather large Reading 12 year old.

Reading had a few hearty runs at goal late in the second half but the Bmachine defense and keeper Zach “the Snap” Logonov held it’s ground and didn’t allow Reading to finish.  A great game; looking forward to next Saturday at home against Chelmsford.