June 3, 2007 CSL North York Astros vs Canadian Lions (from Astros web site)

Astros Salvage Draw in Energetic Affair

The North York Astros showed how much they have improved as a team, when they came back from a one goal deficit to draw the Canadian Lions 1-1 on Sunday night. For the third straight game, rain pelted the Astros on their home field, which played havoc with the players for the opening moments of the game with some players slipping on the artificial turf.

Like their previous game against the St. Catharines Wolves, the Astros (0-2-1) came out of the gate with a fury of chances and controlling the tempo of the game. Even though the Astros controlled the tempo, their inexperience showed through with missed crosses and shots that flew wide of the goal. Their quick passing did cause problems with the Lions (0-3-2), who at points in the game looked like they were down a man. Lions’ defender Dejan Jakovic was cautioned in the 28th minute after a mistimed tackle on an Astro’s midfielder.

Diego Maradona, coming off a strong performance in the game against St. Catharines, was stymied by the Lion’s defense for most of the game, but did manage to break free and send a shot just inches over the crossbar in the 36th minute. This chance was possible after a terrible clearing opportunity landed straight at Maradona, who then took his shot from just outside the penalty area. The teams went into halftime still without a goal.

The Astros again came out flying to start the second half, but soon found themselves in a familiar position. After a bad turnover, Nordo Gooden and Evan Millward were sent in on a 2-on-1 rush. Gooden froze both the Astros’ defender and keeper before sliding the ball over to Millward to put in the empty net, making the score 1-0.

The Astros, now down for the third straight game, turned up the pressure on the Lions’ goal. Their pressure paid off. After Astros’ Shane Lammie was taken down in the penalty area in the 68th minute, Claudio Moreno placed his penalty kick to the right of Lion’s keeper Matthew Willis, who dove to the left.

With a victory in their sights, the Astros kept up the tempo and tried to find the go-ahead goal, but could only muster shots that were wide of the goal and crosses that were too close to the keeper.

“It is obvious that we keep improving game after game, but I know we are at 40% of our capacity as a team,” commented head coach Rafael Carbajal. “We are very good physically, but tactically and technically we have a lot of work ahead of us. We definitely need to improve a lot more on the final third of the field, but that comes with each game and I know we will improve a lot more. I'm proud of how the players fought to tie the game. It showed a positive team spirit and that is a great foundation to build on.”

The Astros now sit in a tie for 4th place with London City and sit three points behind 3rd place St. Catharines. The Astros’ next game is on Sunday, June 10th against the Portuguese Supra. Kick-off for this game is 4:00 p.m from Esther Shiner Stadium.

Notes: Astros’ Lammie was cautioned in the 42nd minute for a late tackle…Lion’s Jamaal Smith was cautioned on the Astros penalty kick for a bad tackle…Lion’s Evan Millward was also cautioned in the 77th minute when he threw down Astros’ Johnson Akuoko after a free kick was awarded against the Astros when Akuoko was called for aggressive tackling on Millward…

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