June 11, 2014 League 1 Ontario--Master's Saints vs Woodbridge Strikers (from League 1 Ontario website)

Master's Saints 0 - Woodbridge Strikers 2
. Thu Jun 12 
Written By: Cromie, Chris  

The League1 Ontario Cup kicked off the night of Wednesday June 11 as Woodbridge Strikers recorded 
their second 2-0 win against the Master's FA Saints this season, thanks to two goals from 
Stephen Almeida. 

Just three days removed from their clash at Vaughan Grove, the two sides met again, this time 
under the floodlights at the OSA centre turf. With recovery time a question, both coaches opted 
to use their squad and blood some fresh faces, making multiple changes to their lineups from 
Sunday's encounter. 

As was the case on the weekend, Woodbridge had the lion's share of possession and looked the 
more threatening early on. In the 12th minute, Woodbridge centre-half Kasra Dehdezi showed 
his range, picking out a streaking Almeida down the right with a beautiful pass, but the 
forward ran out of space. 

Five minutes later Dehdezi connected with Almeida again, this time with Christian Cavallini 
playing middle-man as the Strikers cut through the Master's defence at will, but Almeida 
waited too long to pull the trigger and the chance fizzled out. Still, it was clear that 
if a goal was to come, it would be through the Woodbridge right flank. 

In the 25th minute, Almeida took an in-swinging cross on his chest and, with one flick, 
pushed the ball onto his right foot and rocketed a shot towards the left corner. But for 
Aaron Trotman-Grant's goal line clearance, the deadlock would have been broken. It took 
just ten more minutes for that to happen.

From a free-kick, Ernesto Gaita floated in a majestic ball to the back post. The omnipresent 
Almeida rose and powered a header home to give Strikers' the lead, unfortunately taking 
Matthew Caldaroni with him. The Master's goalkeeper had to be helped off the pitch and 
was replaced by Shane Lopez. 

Lopez was immediately introduced to Almeida's presence when the Woodbridge forward picked 
up the ball on the edge of the box, dribbled to his right and powered a shot past the new 
goalkeeper for a 39th minute goal. Lopez's first touch of the ball was to pick it back 
up out of the net. 

Going into the changing rooms at half time, the Master's players must have wondered what 
it was going to take to get them back in this game. Two minutes after the restart, they 
had their chance. As Alexander Dimitriu received the ball in the box from a throw-in, 
Woodbridge defender Cameron Brooks clattered into him from behind, conceding a penalty. 
Brooks was incensed, believing that Dimitriu had used his hand to control the ball, but 
his protests were waved away by the ref.

With the opportunity to claw a goal back from the spot, Thomas Winski directed the ball 
out of goalkeeper Matt George's reach, but watched in horror as it crashed back off the post 
and clear. It was just one of those nights for the Saints. 

As play resumed, thunder boomed and lightning crackled in the skies around the OSA 
centre turf with a promise of thick, heavy rain. For the Saints, time to rescue this 
one was rapidly running out. Their inability to retain the ball when going forward 
deprived them of critical chances, so when Trae Green swerved a shot at goal from 
twenty-five yards out, it seemed more out of frustration than conviction.

Woodbridge coach Peter Pinizzotto, on the other hand, was spoilt for options, bringing 
on Michael Holder and Week One MVP, Nicholas Chiarot. The pacey winger didn't take 
long to get in on the proceedings, capitalizing on a beautiful 75th minute through 
ball from Marko Kovacevic to get behind his man and fire off a shot only to be denied 
by the woodwork.

With no riposte from the Saints, the final whistle blew, and with that, the skies 
emptied, bucketing down the rain that had threatened throughout the second half. 

Three points in the bag, Woodbridge takes an early lead in Group B, with their next 
cup match pitting them against local rivals Vaughan Azzurri on June 19th. Master's 
will have to wait until July 23rd for a chance to pick up points, when they go on the 
road against Windsor Stars. 

back to League 1 Ontario 2014 menu

.

.