April 30, 2017 League 1 Ontario Match Recap: Masters FA Saints vs Woodbridge Strikers (from League 1 Ontario website)
Match Recap: MFA Saints 1 - 2 Woodbridge Strikers 04/30/2017, 10:00pm EDT By League1 Ontario staff Masters FA Saints demonstrated they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2017 after quite nearly shaking up the traditional power structure on Matchday Two with a narrow 2-1 loss to perennial title contenders Woodbridge Strikers. Joshua Parades-Procter (90' + 2') scored at the death for Woodbridge with a tidy left footed finish, but it was Masters that were on the front foot for much of the match after an early Nathan Smith (5') opener sent the capacity crowd into delirium. "I think we gave a brilliant effort," said Masters Technical Director Junior Groves. "Technically we did everything right. Tactically we did everything right." "And our environment was very very much what we want, and this is a very good thing for football," he added. "Players pointed out to me at half-time that the academy players and supporters that were here were giving them a lift." After Masters pushed Woodbridge onto the back foot early in the contest, the Strikers began to slowly grow in presence throughout the match, gradually taking more and more of the possession. "I think ultimately we had possession of the ball 60-65 per cent of the time," said Woodbridge head coach, Peter Pinizzotto. "I thought Masters put up a big fight and are definitely a much improved team over last year, but at the same time I need to give credit to my boys. They didn't give up until it was the game was ended. The changes we made in the second half helped, we got some fresh legs and a big win against a decent team." The story of the night was certainly Woodbridge's new faces in the team, as former Toronto FC keeper Quillan Roberts made two sets of double saves that kept the Strikers in the match, before substitutes Luca Baldassare (85') and Parades-Procter came off the bench to secure the comeback victory. "Quillan is a big part of this team and after losing our previous keeper [2015-2016 League1 Ontario Goalkeeper Of The Year] Matt George, we were really looking for a player that would be able to take his place," he added. "We just happened to find a very good one." "He made some big saves at the right time for us, and that's key in the game. He gave us the chance to come back and win it." "I was just trying to tell the team to keep calm, keep possession, take every minute as it as," explained Parades-Procter. "We weren't settling for one point and we pushed and got that goal. Peter told us going into the game we were going for the win and nothing less, and we just reacted when we got that equalizer and pushed for all three points." Despite the hearbreaking loss after such a strong performance, Groves stated that much more could be expected from Masters after the strong showing of support from the community. He added that the team is only just beginning to show its true potential. "I can say to you that Masters Football Academy is not ready yet. We started late and we're not ready yet. I think all in all we can take away a win from that within the dressing room, and I know what it really shows in the stats." Masters FA Saints will next play Ottawa South United (OSU) Force on Saturday May 6 at L'Amoreaux, Scarborough. Woodbridge Strikers will next play Durham United FA on Sunday May 7 at Vaughan Grove Turf, Woodbridge.
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