Better Than a Loss

They say a tie is like kissing your sister. Well let’s just pretend our sisters are adopted… and hot… cuz that was a good tie! (By the way, I can totally make that joke because I don’t have any sisters.) Anyways, first place Trashua traveled south of the border with their trailers, kids, cousins, cousins’ kids, minimal teeth, and a full squad and invaded North Andover to meet an under-manned yet ready-to-compete Villain squad on a hot blazing hot Sunday.  As the Villains slowly arrived at the field, they each noticed a Nashua team dressed and ready, running pre-game drills. The Villains were just struggling to field a team and figure out a line-up. None of it mattered though, as an inspired Juice made his lone match of the season count, leading the defensive-minded Villains to a 0-0 tie, and handing Nashua their first non-win of the season (which is kind of unbelievable since they really aren’t all that good).

If this were your sister, would you...

In the first half the Villains got the best of play. They hit the crossbar and had a few other chances, but were unable to convert.  Fortunately, the defense played solid, despite missing many fine defenders, and the midfielders were able to control possession, ensuring that Nashua would be unable to generate any legitimate scoring opportunities.

The second half was a bit sloppier, as Nashua had the most scoring opportunities, including hitting the crossbar and forcing Salach and Juice to clear the ball off the goal-line just before the ball rolled into the goal.  Later in the half came the play of the day. I’m not exactly sure how it all started but I think the Villains turned the ball over, the defense was caught flat-footed, and Nashua got the ball deep into the box (insert a “mother” joke here). A scrum occurred in front of the goal and Juice, who filled in at goal-keeper quite well, dove on top of a Nashua player to get the ball, and the ref, who pretty much sucked, called for a Nashua penalty kick. Juice, however, was ready for the challenge. As Nashua set up for the kick, Juice hopped up-and-down, flapped his arms, and fired himself up in a way only that crazy bastard can. Whatever he did, it worked, as he made a great stop diving to his right on the kick, and then gobbled up the ball before any rebound opportunity.

The Villains clamped down after Juice’s big save and didn’t allow any more scoring opportunities. Unfortunately the offense was a bit sloppy, reverting back to the trend of too many through balls to Nashua’s keeper, instead of spreading the field and taking advantage of open guys on the outside, including Mikel. Let’s not let that happen again.

All-in-all, solid game. Next up is Lynnfield, who we beat the first time but they were without their keeper, and we scored a few cheapies. Let’s get good attendance and let’s bring it. If we have subs we can all go all out and win this game and the next. If we win out, we’re in the playoffs. Let’s do this.

UPDATE

OK who saw the Celtics game last night? You remember the critical play of the game? Rajon Rondo has the ball, tie game, 1:21 left. He drives to the hoop, clearly gets fouled, no foul is called, and Miami goes the other way and scores. 4-point swing. Was it an awful "no-call" by the ref? Absolutely. But you know why I was screaming at my TV as it happenned? Because Rondo just laid there after he hit the floor, complaining about a foul that wasn't called, as Miami brought the ball up court, took advantage of their advantage in numbers, and got an easy look and a lay-up. If Rondo played to the whistle, got up and got back on D immediately, he may have been able to help the Celtics get a stop. Check the video below:

What does this have to do with the Villains?  Everything! Fellas, play to the freaking whistle! So damn frustraing watching us bitch at the refs during the course of play! Look, we play in a shitty over-30 recreation league. The refs are going to suck. Deal with it. Keep playing until you hear a god-damn whistle! If you really need to bitch to the ref, wait until the next break in play. We can forgive Rondo cuz he dropped 44 and a near-triple double. None of us are even close to playing that well in our Villain games, so just Keep. Fu%&*ng. Playing.