November 12, 2000
Bumrushers vs. Zebras

After having our first rainout of the year we were playing the last place Zebras. Even though we were confident that we would win, we didn't want another game like last time. Unfortunately moving people around didn't help. I can't say that I don't blame them. If you were playing defense all year long, and had a chance on goal, wouldn't you try your best to score?

To start things off the Zebras only had 9 players. Within 10 minutes they had a full team and a few subs. We started with 11 and had 2 more show up right after the game started. We won the toss and kicked off first. It was evident that we wanted to work on ball control and make easy and crisp passes. Once the Zebras got a full squad on the field we started picking up the pace of play. Get ready to read a lot of goals.

As usual we started off scoring early. 10 minutes into the game Sam was the receiver of a centered ball from Winters(real last name doesn't have an S) and shot the ball past the keeper. Bumrushers 1-0. A few minutes later Pat took a goal kick from Baxter, saw Robert making a run down the middle of the field and sent the ball for him. Robert settled, outran 2 other defenders, and buried it past the right of the keeper. Bumrushers 2-0.

Minutes later Dennis won a ball from the opponents, passed to a wide open Sam, who aimed for the right side of the goal. The ball was tipped and went past the keeper. Bumrushers 3-0. Next one came when Winters was running along his famed right side and shot the ball past the keeper. Bumrushers 4-0.

Davis had the next goal. He had some give-n-go action with Pat. Once Davis got the ball back he outran the defenders on him and shot the ball past the keepers right side. 5-0. Minutes later we got another one in. Sam was in the middle of the field and sent the ball for a streaking Chris on the left side. Chris one-timed a center ball that the goalie misplayed, that bounced right to Brian. Brian took the chance and nailed it into the back of the net for his first goal of the year. He was happy so this defender moved back to his usual stopper position. 6-0

At this point we started moving some defenders up front to see what they could do. And they did a good job considering they are defenders. If that sounds bad it isn't meant to sound like it. We figured they were getting a little bored in the back so we would give them the chance.

About 13 minutes before half we struck again. Sam won a loose ball in the middle of the field again and dribbled around the defense to the left side of the box. He sent a ball back post to Dennis who headed the ball in. 7-0. The last goal of the half came when Sam centered the ball to Robert in the middle of the box. Robert shot, ball hit a defender and ricocheted to Winters. He settled with his thigh, took a few steps, turned and shot the ball low past the keepers right. 8-0. One minute later the ref called halftime.

Just like the first half, we scored within the first 5 minutes. Brian stole a ball near midfield. He played give-n-go with Sam, took a few dribbles and fired the ball left of the goalie. 9-0. A few minutes later Brian stole another ball from a Zebra forward, passed the ball to Dennis, who saw Davis standing alone just past midfield and passed the ball to him. Davis dribbled past 4 defenders, cut back to the right, and shot the ball past a diving keepers right side into the back of the net. 10-0.

The next goal came when Sam was dribbling along trying to find an open man. He spotted Pat and laid the ball off to him. Pat blasted a 100 mph shot in which the keeper could only watch go by him. 11-0. Our next goal happened when Davis sent a ball for Cam, who passed it to Pat. Pat gave Chris a clever heel pass which was dead on. Chris took a dribble and shot the ball past the keepers right. 12-0

With about 15 minutes left in the game we struck for the next to last time. Chris gathered a misplayed ball from the opponents. He passed the ball to Dennis. Dennis faked (mis-hit) the pass back, turned to his right, and fired a shot to the upper upper right hand corner of the goal in which the goalie had no chance. 13-0. Finally we ended the scoring in style. Sam was outside the left side of the goalie box. Another give-n-go with Robert gave him the opportunity for another score. Sam faked left, quickly went right, and shot it near postto give him the hat trick. 14-0

The ref called the game early. Which we aren't going to complain about. Actually, the earlier its called, the earlier we get to go eat. I do have this to say, the Zebras are a great group of guys. Playing any other team, say VFC or Arsenal, after being 4 up we would've been watching out for our lives and ankles. We were in the same situation last fall, being beaten by every team. So I know how it feels. I'm sure the Zebras will pick up some good players to make their team that much better. They did have some promising spots. But, those spots were too few and far between, and not long enough. Some bad execution up front with their forwards was a problem to them getting only 5 shots all game long. But for the most part it was our defense and midfield coming back to give us numbers on defense. Most of the action the defense had was us passing the balls back to them. They kept our opponents to 2 shots on goal, and 0 from within 10 yards. Plain and simple we have a very good defense that is tough. Our midfield played one heck of a game also. Nearly 75% of the loose balls we picked up. If we didn't win them, we were right on the opponents tail trying to steal it from them. Our forwards had a great game also with constant pressure on the goal at all times. We had so many different people play in different positions that as a group we did a good job. When you read the stats below you will see just how much we dominated. Sure we mighta been playing the last place team, but the way we passed and moved the ball around, we could've beaten any team. Pessimistically speaking: we will be playing some better teams next year in D3. If we play like this we will do ok. Now for that to take place, we need to win 1 of our next 2 games, or at least tie both of them. Anything less than 1 win or 2 ties, we are stuck in D4 for another season.

Dennis Thompson