June 1, 2014 League 1 Ontario--ANB Futbol vs Woodbridge Strikers (from League 1 Ontario website)

  
ANB Futbol 1 - Woodbridge Strikers 2
. Wed Jun 4 
Written By: Cromie, Chris  
 
Woodbridge Strikers picked up a win over ANB Futbol in their first match of the season, courtesy 
of a pair of goals from Nicholas Chiarot. ANB, however, will be wondering how they let this one 
get away. 

For large swathes of the first half, Woodbridge seemed content to sit back and soak up the pressure. 
Indeed, the first 15 minutes were virtually all ANB as the team in blue sliced through their 
opponents with swift, short passes in the middle of the pitch. Some slick interplay between 
attacking central midfielder Jason Mills and centre forward Anthony Smith offered up the first 
clear cut chance of the contest, only for Smith to scuff his shot.

ANB continued to look comfortable, with Jason Mills dropping deep to receive and distribute the 
ball amongst his fellow forwards, a line comprised of brothers Brandon Mills and Jahsua Mills. 
The sibling trio had particular success down the right hand side, packing everything but that 
final, decisive touch. 

It was through this channel that the deadlock looked to be broken, as Jason Mills marauded into 
the box only to be scythed down. Woodbridge goalkeeper Michael Scavone was equal to the test, 
denying Daniel Iannacito's resulting penalty with a fine save to his right, even having the 
presence of mind to get up and quickly close down the rebound. 

The shock of almost conceding appeared to be exactly what Woodbridge needed. Forward Michael Holder 
fed Ernesto Gaita, who narrowly fired over, and minutes later, Holder took matters into his 
own hands, placing the ball past ANB keeper Haydon Armstrong, who watched helplessly as the ball 
cracked against the inside of the post and bounced clear. 

Offense suddenly emerged from all areas as the Woodbridge backline pinged long balls from their 
own half, but with the wind behind them and a heavy bounce, accuracy was a concern. One fine pass 
by Kasra Dehdezi released winger Nicholas Chiarot who simply ran out of space down the right. 
It was an omen of what was yet to come.

Searching for options in the final third, Woodbridge coach Peter Pinizzotto introduced centre 
forward Armin Tankovic at halftime to lead the line and hold up the ball for Holder and Chiarot 
to attack the flanks. The change paid immediate dividends.

In the 46th minute, Tankovic created space for a through ball to Chiarot, who deftly lifted the 
ball over Armstrong and into the back of the net. The Strikers were just getting started, and 
the early second half goal appeared to give them the impetus they needed to keep going forward. 

Holder found success on the left hand side, imposing himself physically and muscling players off 
the ball to break free. One foray forced ANB's outstanding central mid Jackson Tooke into 
a crunching last ditch tackle, which rightfully earned a booking for the midfielder, but kept 
his team in the game. 

Ultimately, the Woodbridge attack would not be denied, and in the 76th minute Strikers doubled 
their lead. Following another well worked play down the right, Armstrong parried Tankovic's shot, 
but the rebound dropped to Chiarot's feet for second cool finish. It was a dagger that ANB coach 
Bassam Naim had perhaps seen coming as he had already readied a double substitution to shake 
up his side's fortunes. Unfortunately, the break in play never came and second goal caused some 
ANB heads to drop before the changes were made.

Where in the first half the Mills brothers' incisive passing had been a marvel to watch, they 
now cut frustrated figures under the sun, watching chances go begging. A tense finale was set 
up with four minutes to go, after Jashua Mills finished from close range thanks to some good 
work from his two brothers, but a result was not to be for ANB. Their final chance at stealing 
a point went blazing over the bar after a miscued free kick on the edge of the Strikers' box, 
handing them a loss in their opener.

ANB coach Naim was disappointed with the result, but encouraged by what he saw from his 
young charges. "We played to our philosophy, but with four or five new players in the team 
we knew it'd be difficult." For Woodbridge coach Peter Pinizzotto it was simply just a game 
of two halves. "We wanted to keep possession as much as possible," he concluded. "First half 
we didn't do that; second half we did."

back to League 1 Ontario 2014 menu

.

.