October 10, 2017 League 1 Ontario--Match Recap: Masters FA Saints vs Durham United FA (from League 1 Ontario)

Match Recap: Masters FA Saints 2 - 0 Durham United FA
10/10/2017, 12:30pm EDT
By League1 Ontario staff

Paul Antoine (57') and Jose De Sousa (86') broke through with goals in the second half for Masters FA Saints 
as the hosts downed visitors Durham United FC 2-0 to complete the 2017 season.

"I think in the first half both teams had pretty decent shape and it was a fairly tight game, but in the 
second we said let's keep the ball and we'll attack when we have the time to attack and don't go forward 
if we couldn't go forward," said Masters head coach, Rick Titus. 

"The counter-attack was on quite a bit though and we were finding forward passes into the feet 
of Joey [Melo] and Jose [De Sousa] and when they get the ball to their feet they are pretty dangerous." 

"I was really worried that they might go to the other end and pop one in on us so the insurance goal 
was very, very important."

Durham United FA head coach Sanford Carabin felt his side lacked the necessary energy to deal with 
Masters second half push, but remained positive about some of the strides made over the season with 
some new faces in the squad.

"First half today was pretty even I thought but second half they just came at us with more energy 
and we couldn't match that energy," he said. 

"Once they got the goal, and it was a good goal, we just didn't respond in the way that you should. 
We sat back and didn't take the game to them. We just didn't show up in the second half the way 
we should have." 

"We have to stay positive about this season," he concluded. 

"I don't know if we'll finish third or fourth but we had high ambitions for this year. A result 
or two either way and this would have been different. We have played some new players recently 
to give them a chance and overall I thought it was a positive response." 

Masters' Titus also reflected on a season that had highs and lows, but said the forward momentum 
was gradual and he was optimistic of what could be created in 2018. 

"We came a little late into the season," he said. 

"It was difficult bringing some new players into the team and making decisions to cut others. 
It was a difficult transition, as it often is because egos become involved. I may have made 
a mistake or two with players but overall trying to mould two teams together is a difficult process."

"You could see some games it wasn't so hot, and other games it was, but now we have a family 
in there. We have a core group of guys here that want to play together, enjoy each other's company, 
and so we have family here now. Next year, look for something great."

Masters FA Saints finish their season in fifth position in the east division, with 30 points 
and a record of nine wins, ten losses and three draws. The team was sixth for goals for (39), 
sixth for goals against (49) and sixth in goal difference (-10). 

Durham United FA finish their season in third position in the east division, with 36 points 
and a record of 11 wins, eight losses and three draws. The team was third for goals for (51), 
third for goals against (27) and third in goal difference (+24). 

back to 2017 League 1 Ontario Men's index

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