The Sarnia FC Chelsea U10's
participated in their first
soccer tournament of the
season the Middlesex United
in Strathroy.
Under rainy skies the boys
opened up the weekend facing
The German Canadian FC
London Firebolts. Sarnia
fell behind early in the
game but rallied late in the
first half to tie the game.
Chelsea striker Mateo
Troiani sent the perfect
cross ball to midfielder
Tristen Konrad who handled
it beautifully and rifled a
thunderous shot into the
left corner of the German
goal. Teams went into half
tied at ones.
The second half proved to be
Sarnia's game as they
dominated possession and
opportunities. Sarnia
Striker Ryan Janssens put
Chelsea ahead sending a
booming blast from 20 yards
out which completely
surprised the Firebolt
goalie. Troiani would add
another goal mid-way through
the second half as he would
not be denied pouncing on
his own rebound. Sarnia's
defence would hold strong
and close out the game.
Final Score: Sarnia FC
Chelsea 3 - GCFC Firebolts
1.
Chelsea would play District
rivals Chatham Attack for
their second tournament
game. Sarnia FC would fire
out of the gate quickly when
fullback Christian
D'Agostini sent the clearing
ball to Dominic
Krasinkiewicz who in turn
would fire the through ball
to Striker Mateo Troiani who
did not disappoint placing
the perfect shot into the
right corner of the Attack
goal. Chatham would equalize
shortly after and take a one
goal lead into the second
half. Sarnia would start the
second strong and pressure
Chatham early. A hand ball
called against the Attack
defender gave Sarnia a
penalty shot. Striker Mateo
Troiani would convert the PK
and tie the game. Ryan
Janssens would add a third
goal as he dribbled past two
defenders and hammered in
the loose ball. The Attack
would score in the dying
seconds of the game on a
corner kick to close it out
with a tie. Chelsea keeper
Andrew Harron made some
great saves to keep Sarnia
in the contest! Final Score:
Sarnia FC Chelsea 3 -
Chatham Attack 3.
Sarnia FC Chelsea would
automatically advance to the
semi-finals by finishing
first seed in their
division. They would face
London Olympiakos CFP in the
match. Olympiakos would come
out strong scoring three
goals in the first half.
Sarnia would generate
numerous opportunities but
could not solve the London
goalie. The second half , as
usual belonged to Chelsea.
Sarnia forced play,
dominating possession
constantly attacking in the
offensive zone. Sarnia FC
mid-fielder Tristen Konrad
would make his way around
two Olympiakos defenders
before finally being tackled
in the penalty area. The
referee quickly stepped in
and signalled for the PK.
Once again, striker Mateo
Troiani would be called on
to take the penalty kick.
Calmly he blasted the shot
into the right corner of the
goal sending an eruption of
joy to the Sarnia sidelines.
The tides began to turn as
Sarnia mounted their
comeback. A flustered London
team would revert to play a
defensive role for the
remainder of the game. Soon
after, Sarnia would be
rewarded a corner kick with
veteran striker Ryan
Janssens stepping in to take
it. With utmost perfection,
Janssens sent the perfect
bending shot which eluded
the Olympiakos keeper and
tucked its way into the back
of the net. An almost
impossible shot fired a new
life line into the Chelsea
team. Panic grew on the
London sidelines as Sarnia
dominated play. The best
chances created many missed
opportunities for Sarnia as
the final whistle blew and
time ran out! Sarnia would
miss the finals but gave
parents, fans and coaches an
absolutely amazing display
of heart, emotion, passion
and skill to witness. Strong
effort from all the Sarnia
FC U-10 boys! Coaches could
not ask for anything more
from the kids!! Final Score:
Sarnia FC Chelsea 2 -
Olympiakos CFP 3.
