Bella Vista FC

Roosters & Race 1-1

The Roosters were Happy Cocks with the upset draw over Race. Race St had an abundant of 1 on 1 chances with the Rooster goalie “crooked fingers” Jerry, but were unable to tally up more than one (a result of super passing that left John free). The equalizer was from a blocked freekick that Abdul scored from long range. A pretty strong game by Steph Singer kept the Racers in check for much of the game, but that said, Race St should have won this 5-1 with the number of chances they had. This confidence booster for the Roosters may encourage them to claw out of the league’s laggards’ positions.

Bonte win 2-1 over Patriots in a tough battle

This result is unfortunate due to an own goal. The own goal (mind you, an excellent finish) from Chris Reg off a Ricky corner into the danger zone, was the unlucky decider of this game. The first goal came from Waffle Decer after a well controlled strike from a head pass by Bula, and the reply came from a “goalie rush” by JT from a strike that bounced off Fabio. In the last 5 minutes of the game, the Patriots began an aggressive campaign of long throws and corners, resulting in a shot hitting the bar, one hitting the post, 3 saves from Fabio, a clear off the line from Heri. Keith and Chris Haines rose to the task by heading and clearing some tough 50-50 balls in the penalty area at the last minute. Stu and Patrick played solidly in the back for the Patriots. All in all, a game of equals that the Waffles were lucky to win. “It was our goalie and defense that played incredibly well this game.” - Bula.

Fergies are back with a win over Champs Vesuvio

Fergies won 3-1 on Saturday over Vesuvio. The return of Mike Geller was a major boost to the team. Mike, Tri and Vachte combined for the 3 goals, while Bill had the Calamari’s lonely reply. In this game Steffen received a yellow card. Other details not available.

El Fuego wake up in time to put a dent in Via’s run.

The burritos won 4-2 with Zack scoring 2, Waleed contributing, and Javier the other goal. Via Bicycle had goals from Alex Horn who also got a yellow card, and Hugh. No game report from Juan yet.

by jmp

The best part about last night’s game was the result of the recent rains. No dust! The next best thing was a competitive and enjoyable game.

The final score (Via 2, Patriots 0) is deceptive. The Pats only managed to field 8 players but they played incredibly hard and smart. This is a strong team, no doubt. Even down 2 players, they were more than a handful at times. They mounted an effective defense and launched countless attacks. The beginning of the second half in particular showed what this team could do. They managed at least 5 shots in the first 15 minutes, and lets remember, they were playing with 8. This is a team that always needs to be respected. They never gave up or let up, and were still fighting in the midfield in the closing minutes of the game. With all their key players, this could have been a very different game.

The Bicycles, besides having numbers in their favor, played their now usual, careful game featuring short passes in the midfield to build up plays and spirited defending. Victor Balta (Via keeper), turned in a strong performance rewarding Via with its first shut out this season.

Via goals were a Horn family double feature (probably a first for the league). Ricky Horn scored the first one on a header off a far-post cross from Diego in the first half. The second goal, by older brother Alex Horn, was a stunning display of pure, balls-out “juke and scoot” in the second half. Alex penetrated the Pats defense and made it to the end line, where he turned and dribbled through at least 2 defenders (on the line) to the goal post where he angled a shot almost point-blank, past the Patriot keeper. This is a play you might expect to see at Starr-Garden, not Sack’s.

Fun game. Very competitive and fair. Thanks to Dave and Ricky for ref and line duties and the Patriots for showing real spirit.

It was a shame that this game was rained out. It was virtually unplayable. With 34 minutes to go in the second half, Bonte led Race St 2-1, but knowing Race St, this game could have gone either way. The waffles scored the first with Big Kev’s shot, and smoothe passing between Conrad and Vince granted the Racer captain the equalizer. Minutes before the game was called off, Jared’s 20 yarder beat Mike in the goal. This was a very clean and competitive game. Thanks to Chris Reggiani for reffing in tough weather.

The league standings have been updated, excluding this game. Here are standings at the midpoint of the season…

• Top 4 teams are only 4 points apart. Only the top 2 teams get a first round bye, and it’s still up for grabs. Race St and Vesuvio are previous champions and are predictably atop the league. Bonte and Patriots are at their heels.
• Bottom 3 teams are only 1 point apart. With enough wins, any of these teams could easily make the playoffs. The teams are catching up to Fergies.
• El Fuego, Roosters or Via Bicycle could win the 2007 BVFC title by following the example of Vesuvio last year, who qualified for the last spot in the playoffs, but went on to win. Never count a burrito, cock or biker out …

by jmp

Tuesday’s weather forecast promised a 50% chance of rain by 8PM, so it was bound to be an interesting game at Sack’s field. The Roosters met Via at around 7:30PM, and since there was no ref, the captains agreed to make it as clean and honest a match as possible. In this area, I think both teams performed admirably.

On to the game. It was a strong start from the Bicycles, controlling the midfield and passing well to give us some early chances. The Roosters held their ground with a strong performance from their sweeper, Steph, who seemed to clean up quite effectively. Rooster counter attacks lead by Abdul and Omar were absorbed by a vigorous Bicycle defense, followed by good play building in the Via midfield. The pressure paid off in the latter part of the half when Ricky Horn penetrated the Rooster back line and got one past the goalie. Via was up 1-0 at the half.

The second half started with resolute attacks from a reshuffled Rooster offense, most of which were absorbed except for a quick counter and break-away by Abdul who burned up the right side and unleashed a close range shot to tie the game 1-1. Then came the rain, light at first and then more intense along with some lightning. Would the game be called off? Hell no! At least it was not as dusty.

After the tieing goal, the Bicycles started building plays in the midfield and challenging loose balls. With about 20 minutes left in the game, on a short cornnerkick and cross from Ricky Horn, Via captain (and article author) JMP took a shot that deflected off of a Rooster defender and into the back of the net. Via was up 2-1. The rest of the game was a holding action on our part, and we managed to stop any Rooster counter to hang on for the win. I want to thank both teams for the effort and the sportsmanship. It is always difficult to play without a ref, but we managed without serious problems.

The heat was brutal. Goals were plenty…

Bonte 7 - Fergies 4

In the highest scoring game yet, the waffles went to battle with the pinters. This game was not short of action. Highlights include Tri’s 20 yarder into the top corner, a hatrick from the waffle Adel, and Leah scoring the final goal with a terrific volley from a Ben Coy cross making her the first gal to score this year.

Race St 3 - Vesuvio 3

Playing a man down, Race St established their strength early. Conrad’s team showed why they are the league leaders for almost 80 minutes when they were up 3-1. In the last 10 minutes, Greg, Brian and Marco combined well on counter attacks to score 2 goals and end the game with a draw. Vesuvio, like Race, were also missing many of their key players. All in all, an awesome and clean game to watch.

Roosters 2 - El Fuego 0

El Fuego dominated possession, and created most of the scoring chances, but Roosters were able to finish. An arguable offside no call gave them the early lead with Aleks scoring, but a deserveth second from Abdul sealed the deal for the cocks (a ironic name for a team that has the most …. )

Details below courtesy of Mike Fish.

2-0 Aleks & Abdou scored; Bula reffed.

Looking like a team that had been up at the crack of dawn, the roosters were happy to notch their first win with a shutout. The stellar goaltending of Chau, the teamwork of midfield & strikers Omar & Abdou and the deft control & accuracy of Aleks contributed to a hotly contested 2 nil match. It’s no coincidence that the Roosters’ consecutive point tally’s coincide with Aleks’ autumn return from the Himalya’s.

The Rooster defense set up the attack quite nicely which should have scored more often, but accuracy is still an issue. That shouldn’t overshadow the valiant effort of one injured Richard Peel, the score could have been much more lopsided without his gritty diving goaltending effort.; Accuracy, or lack of it, hurt El Fuego as well, a header from zak off a corner sailed just over the top bar to keep the score 2 nil, a couple other shots sailed wide while Chau devoured the rest. The rooster defense settled in nicely but needs to find a substitution pattern that doesn’t leave them looking like their heads were just cut off.

Bouncing back from an early season slump the Happy Roosters looked rejuvenated from a few days rest and the unusual site of subs. Fresh legs were lacking for a Fuego team that played in stifling heat two days in a row.

mjf

What an evening for soccer.  One would never know it was October.  The game began with Juan and his bikers showing a solid performance in the first half, absorbing much of the Bonte attack, and countering effectively.  This paid off in the 30th minute when Ricky (via bicycle) had an opportunity to take advantage of a rare Chris Haines error.  The skillful striker sped past the full back, turned Fabio the wrong way, and shot it across into the right side of the waffle goal.  Lauren played a strong central defender, letting nothing by.  The half ended 1-0 to Via.

In the second half, Bonte regrouped.  Effective passplay, and reshuffling of the players allowed the waffles to apply pressure to the biker back line.  The equalizer came a couple of minutes in, when Adel struck it past via’s goal.  Bula’s typically unintentional goal followed with a cross that took an awkward bounce, and ended in the back of the net.  Adel scored his second with some great ball skills in the front, and Heri sealed the day for the waffles with a shot of his own from close range from a cross.

Juan put it best for his squad: “It was a tale of two halfs.  We have the ability to challenge any team, and score.  But we must do it for 90 minutes.”  All-in-all, a clean, good game.  Very appreciative of Conrad for refereeing, and Chris on the line.

Sunday, marks the half way point in the tournament.  At the end of regular season play the top 6 teams will enter into the playoffs.  #1 and #2 will get a bye in the first round.  This provides ample opportunity for the trailing 3 teams to regroup, and fight their way upward.

No game details yet, but Ricky reffed… here are the stats.

Patriots - 2 (Glenn Wiklen 2)

Happy Roosters - 2 (Aleks D. 1; Omar 1)

Red Cards - 1 (Matt Rankin)

Yellow Cards - 0

Finally, points on the board for Roosters! Congratulations. They must have really missed Aleks, who has been on a “undercover” vacation around the world..

In a challenging game Sunday afternoon, Vesuvio and Bonte tied 3-3. This game presented was one of the most fiercely contested battles with two teams vying for a place in the playoffs. Vesuvians opened up scoring with a goal by Marco, and the waffles came right back to equalize with a goal from Chris Bull, the English international. The half ended on a downer with Ben Graff’s collision with Big Kev, which saw the end of the season for the Vesuvian center back.

In the second half, Bonte took a 3 -1 lead with goals from Adel and Decer, and the battle heated up. A goal from Dave and one from Marco in the last 10 minutes saw the game equal at 3-3. This game was a rough and tough battle for control of the midfield, and could have gone either way with a number of missed opportunities.

“This game was unusually high strung. No player should have been injured, it is unfortunate. I hope Ben gets better fast, as we want to see him play soon.” Thanks to Diego for refereeing a tough game.

League Standing Updated here. Enjoy.