It begins again!!!  The Saturday iteration of the Firecrackers football club finally started the Summer season in the CAA.  It's the same basic team, although some players are now off to less green pastures, and there are some new faces.  There are also some old faces returned, so spirits are high!

In a game where I couldn't remember a single foul (there were a couple offsides and maybe a handball), everyone had a great time.  As people grew tired, the substitutes would relieve them, and the Firecrackers could keep up the pressure on OTH.  OTH, to their credit, had revamped their team and were prepared for the usual Firecracker offensive onslaught.

As the teams got used to playing with each other, the passing grew more and more crisp, and the level of play obviously elevated itself.  The Firecrackers, however, struck first off of a John Basanese corner kick.  John bent the ball in towards the front post, to his brother Jeremy.  Jeremy got a clean hit on it, but the OTH goalie made an outstanding save to prevent it going into the net.  Dan West was ready.  He'd already had a shot saved by an amazing dive from the goalie, and he was hungry.  The ball rebounded to him, and he headed it into the back of the net.  BAM! 1-0 Firecrackers, and Dan was the leading scorer for the Firecracker nation.

OTH was not to be outdone at this point  Within 5 minutes, they had regained their composure and started squeezing on the Firecracker defense.  Then, from a rocket shot from the league administrator, Alex Brubaker, the game was tied 1-1.

The second half began as the first half had ended, with each team trading off shots on goal.  The Firecracker defense held their own, though, not allowing much of an opportunity for the OTH Unitedians.  The Firecrackers continued to bide their time and pass well.  Then, with about 10 minutes left, Jeremy Basanese's magical passing opened things up.  He saw that Dave Ahlgren was making a diagonal run through the defense, and although he'd missed an earlier breakaway, Jeremy gave him a second chance.  Dave took the ball cleanly through two defenders to about the 12 yard spot, and as he was about to take a shot, he felt a foot into his calf.  The shot still flew true, low and to the far post.  The Firecrackers were back on top, 2-1!

Not three minutes later, John Basanese was taking another corner kick, again to the front post.  Amazingly, the ball ricocheted across the entire face of the goal to Dave who headed it in.  Said Dave, "that was the first time I've ever scored with my eyes closed.  I saw the defender flying at me to try and clear the ball, so I closed my eyes and lunged at the ball. When I opened my eyes, I was relieved to still be alive."

In the end, all Firecrackers can be proud of their performance.  It was a clean, well played strong performance turned in by everyone.  This bodes well for a great season!!!


Photos of the game can be seen here.  Thanks to Kimberly Ahlgren for taking the time!