A slow start to any game is never a good sign.  But when the referee decides that a player pass flip is better than a coin toss, and the other team has stalled the opening whistle for 25 minutes anyway, you’re going to come out cold.  Despite having a two-man advantage for the first few minutes of the game, the ‘Crackers had a hard time stringing passes together.  The bumpy field accounted for much of the confusion, but there was mostly just sloppy play from an otherwise stacked Firecrackers roster.

 

Although the ‘Crackers had a slow start, the outcome of the game was never in question.  Within 5 minutes, the Halcones had filled their remaining two empty field positions and added a substitute as well.  This added pressure alleviated the befuddled playing of the ‘Crackers.  Once the ‘Crackers felt the pressure, they sprung into action.  About 20 minutes into the first half, they struck their first goal.  Newcomer Josh Patton threw a juke on the Halcones defender in the left corner and made a nice pass into the box to Anthony Kwapinski, playing for the first time this season.  Kwapinski took the ball, just outside the six yard box and slotted a perfect ball to an oncoming Ronnie Jenkins.  Jenkins hit the ball first time, absolutely burying it.  The keeper only saw it once it stopped in the net.  Then the whistle blew, signaling the end of the shortest half on record.

 

The ref’s explained that the half had to end when it was originally scheduled to, at 6:45, even though the other team was 20 minutes late starting the game.  “We know you guys always ready,” a sideline ref explained, “and we no want to forfeit game because they late.  We give you full second half.”  Interesting.  A second half twice as long as the first.  At least we had the sun advantage now.

 

The Halcones never really mounted any kind of attack in the second half.  They were caught offside quite often, through great play from the back line.  The defense played a stingy game, and gave up very few fouls in a decently clean game.  Applause to Devin, Chris, Will, Brian and Antonio for a great defensive effort.

 

The Firecrackers, however, created many opportunities offensively.  The second goal came in drastic fashion.  One of the Halcones midfielders was dribbling down the sideline and managed to nutmeg both Paul and Jeremy as he ran in front of the ‘Cracker subs.  Jeremy, not wanting to be outmaneuvered in front of his teammates, quickly recovered from the juke and stole the ball.  He took one touch and played a perfect ball to Ronnie’s feet, chipping it over the Halcones’ back line.  Ronnie mad a break to the end line and played a perfectly threaded slot to Donny Dequine at about the penalty spot.  With the ball coming from his right, Dequine managed to hit the ball with the inside of his left foot.  The ball found side netting, not surprisingly. 

 

A couple minutes later one of the Halcones tried to cross the ball into the box.  The ball got obviously got away from him, and tricked second time goal keeper Dave Fugate as he came out to catch the ball.  The ball curved gently back towards the goal and just over Dave’s outstretched hands.  Seconds later, the final whistle blew.  As players shook hands after the game, one of the familiar Halcones, nicknamed “Whetto”, commented, “You guys is beefed up from last season.  Very good team you guys.”

 

Aside from Stoney getting a little confused as to which field we were at :P all players were accounted for last Monday.  If this kind of turnout keeps up, the ‘Crackers are all but ensured a great spring season.

 

As a side note, player passes don’t really flip all that well.