Website Manager

Annandale Boys & Girls Club

Facebook Instagram

News Detail

< Back to Home

18

Apr, 2014

Fireballs Red overrun Thunder Navy 4-2!

In a back-n-forth battle fought on the outskirts of Springfield, the Fireballs Red finish victorious 4-2 over Springfield Thunder Navy! In a vindicating return after last year's meetings at both the Springfield of Dreams tourney and again at the Real Bellbrook Invitational, Fireballs Red hand Navy their walking papers and take our current record to 2-0-0.

Some of you may remember facing Navy last year at their own Springfield of Dreams tournament... the one where the coach threw a fit and was removed from the field with a Red Card, leaving the team under the guidance of a very embarrassed assistant coach? Yeah, that one. Tonight we returned to Springfield looking for redemption and came home with our second win.

The Fireballs came out very strong in the first half, controlling most if not all of the possession, firing multiple shots on goal and working the ball both up through the middle and on the outside with impressive passing and crossing. Maddox was able to put a stop to 3 shots on goal along with Logan and Keaton both stopping a shot on goal each. Offensively, the first goal was finished by Mason on a Stanley assist. Late in the half Navy equalized the score 1-1. The tie score at the half doesn't do the Fireballs justice however. Several attacking runs from Brandon on the outside and narrow misses from Noah, Brandon, Cameron and Mason should also be noted. Another key play in the first half was a mid-field bicycle kick from Stanley to Noah in the box, which ended just wide of the goal. Last, a great wall pass from Noah to Stanley to Noah in the corner resulted in a another shot on goal, barely stopped by a very strong Navy keeper.

In the second half, Navy came back determined to put one in. Possession was much more equal in the second half as we fell shy on the outside attacking runs and had a tough time battling the Navy long balls to a cherry picking player deep in Fireball territory. Mason and Noah split keeper duties in the second half. Mason saved 4 shots on goal including what I'm calling the save of the season (so far) on a quick body dive that tipped the ball wide of the goal after a weird bounce sailed the ball over a Logan swing. The poor field conditions in Springfield came into play several times with wild bounces keeping balls in play, bouncing over defensive kicks (one was whiffed by 3 players as it sped down field, bouncing up and over each outstretched leg) and more players tripping in holes and ending up on their backsides than could stay on their feet.

It wasn't only the keepers that made a difference in the second half. Keaton and Logan each saved 2 shots on goal and Stanley saved one as well in the second half.

Navy may have taken several shots on goal in the second half, but the ball movement and possession was still in Fireballs' favor. Quick in the second half Cameron was able to find Keaton to bring the score to 2-1. Brandon assisted Cameron on a nice finish bringing it to 3-1. A shot on goal that was saved by Mason was returned by Navy into the unoccupied corner to narrow the gap 3-2 but soon after Keaton overlapped with Brandon and crossed to Cameron on the unmarked side but another wild bounce sent the ball off of the back post and into the net... 4-2 Fireballs. The Fireballs may or may not have slowed down and allowed the clock to tick off the final 5 minutes but after several blatant Navy handballs went uncalled including one batted down ball and another in Navy's box, we're not saying a word.

Fireballs take the field next against Celtic Red who they haven't faced since their tie in the Creek Classic last spring. Good job boys! You deserved the "W" tonight! Coaches are very proud of you.

Site Links

Annandale Boys & Girls Club

4216 Annandale Rd Annandale VA 22003
Annandale, Virginia 22003
Phone : 703-941-2242
Email : [email protected]