2nd Half:...starts 5:15pm.
halftime subs:...Thunder Bennett replaces Chalmers.
...................Thunder DeSimone replaces Sukru.
...................Thunder Ferrari replaces Perri in goal.
.................Lynx Kolic and Knight are into game with Knight and Budalic now playing forward.
46 min...Lynx goalie juggles through a crowd of players catching a cross from 25 yards on left.
48 min...Thunder DeSimone crosses from near right end line well over net.
51 min...Thunder goalie catches 35 yard freekick.
52 min...Lynx goalie catches defender's popup to beat Thunder Cipriani run for ball.
53 min...Lynx Vignjevic 35 yard shot is caught by goalie.
54 min...Thunder goalie punches out pass into box ahead of Lynx Budalich.
56 min...Lynx Budalic cornerkick over goalie but Lynx Serioux races into box just wide left of net and heads from 2 yards but can't turn ball.
58 min...Thunder DeSimone cross in from 30 yards on right is caught by Lynx goalie.
59 min...Lynx Vignevic rushes up middle cross to Lynx Knight on left, 15 yard blast is saved by sprawling goalie, huge rebound that Lynx Budalic rolls 15 yards to goalie on right post.
60 min...Thunder Miles O'Connor 35 yard shot is caught by flying goalie.
61 min...Lynx sub...Sponton replaces somebody in midfield.
62 min...Thunder sub...Laurito replaces Marquez.
64 min...Lynx Aristodemo heads out ball from box but Thunder Sozio blasts 20 yard shot over net.
67 min...Lynx Mason replaces Aristodemo...Aristodemo then does pushups and sprints in the end zone the rest of the game.
68 min...Lynx Serioux injured near centre circle. Lynx Mattachione returns to the game as a substitute.
71 min...Thunder Bizera is centred pass and 20 yard shot is caught by sliding goalie.
72 min...Lynx goalie partial clearance running out of net. Thunder Bennett floats shot over his head that retreating goalie makes sure ball floats wide right of net.
73 min...Thunder sub...Velastegui replaces Pagani.
....................Thunder sub...Harvey replaces Bizera.
74 min...Lynx Ashton crosses from left bounce to goalie.
75 min...Thunder Harvey shot just wide of net.
76 min...Lynx Vignjevic 25 yard freekick from left that goalie tips wide left of post for corner.
77 min...Lynx YELLOW card...Ashton for grabbing Thunder player preventing breakout after cornerkick.
78 min...Thunder DeSimone cornerkick has Thunder Harvey tip shot into defender.
78 min...Thunder cornerkick from left is well behind net.
79 min...Thunder Cipriani is injured in center circle but Thunder players continue rush and draw freekick.
80 min...Thunder Miles O'Connor chips 18 yard freekick directly to goalie.
81 min...Lynx Knight 25 yard shot on right is caught by goalie.
81 min...Lynx sub...Hurtaro replaces Vignjevic.
83 min...Lynx Hurtaro pulled down in box and injured as two Lynx players bash through defenders. A Penalty kick is immediately called.
85 min...Lynx Ashton GOAL...Ashton scores on Penalty kick as he slots shot into right side of net as goalie crumples to left.
88 min...Thunder YELLOW card...Borgh for tackle from behind on Sponton.
89 min...Lynx Ashton cross from right is whistled down in box.
90 min...Lynx Sponton is fouled again on another goon tackle.
90 min...game ends 5:59pm.
Final Score:..........Hamilton Thunder................0...............Toronto Lynx....................1................
Attendance was about 2000 people. I was amazed by this crowd for an exhibition game. 2500 tickets were sold although the rather cheap $4.00 price and the money raised was for charity so many people bought tickets just to help out. This is a new expansion CPSL franchise for 2002. The team will play it's home games on Thursday nights which may cut into the crowd of parents and children but today's crowd was an excellent fan base to hold onto.
Had the team been without a profession team for ten years? Well I wouldn't discount the Hamilton White Eagles of the CNSL who dropped out of the league twice before their season ended. How professional was that? The Lynx were unknown in this city as the introduction of each player was met with neither booing nor cheering.
The Thunder had five players from last year's Rogers Cup winning St Catharines Roma Wolves. Goalie Dino Perri, Salvatore Borgh, Danny Gallagher, Jerry Cipriani, and John Sozio. I asked Perri why the move and he said these players lived in the Hamilton area and it was easier for them to commute. I'd say the other names I recognize are former North York Astros players Gaston Bizera and the two O'Connor brothers. The most impressive player from their March exhibition game against the L:ynx was Willie Giummarra and he is no longer with the team but is catching on with Toronto Supra. This game must have been a tremendous confidence booster and I'd expect a very high finish in the CPSL based on what I saw today.
The Lynx didn't have enough good scoring chances to deserve to score any more goals. Their media director said they were going to try some new players in their pretty banged up lineup. Goals are hard to come by in their A-League season this year and they still have three more road games before playing a their home opener June 9th. Next Saturday they play a special exhibition game at York University in Toronto against TSV 1860 Munich from the German Bundesliga.
Rocket Robin
robing@eol.ca
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