Sun August 7, 2016 League 1 Ontario--Toronto Skillz FC vs FC London (from League 1 Ontario website)
Marcoccia Brace Hands London Win Over TSkillz 08/08/2016, 11:15am EDT By League1 Ontario staff FC London captain Mike Marcoccia (14', 21') ensured the visitors would leave Birchmount Park, Scarborough with all three points after scoring all the goals in London's 2-0 away win over Toronto Skillz. FC London's Anthony Sokalaski earned the clean sheet. "My first take away from this match is that Toronto Skillz is a much better team than shows on the standings at this point in the league," said London head coach, Mario Despotovic. "I think they worked really hard, did a really good job, and made it hard for us. We tried to adjust as much as possible to their strengths and their weaknesses and I think the guys did very well." In a much more even match than the disparity of standing would suggest - London is currently second in the west division while Skillz is sixth in the east - London had the best of the first half while Toronto Skillz began to impose themselves more and more as the match continued. "The chances were coming, but every time the defensive line of Toronto Skillz successfully denied it," said Despotovic. "I think the goalkeeper from the opponent also had a very good game. It was a nice game to watch I think, for the spectators." "To be fair to them they are probably one of the strongest teams we've seen," said Leslie "Tiger" Fitzpatrick, head coach of the Toronto Skillz. "They move the ball really well, they are disciplined defensively, and in the first half with their movement off the ball it caused us some problems tactically in terms of how we would match up with it." "We didn't have the communication on the field to be able to sort it out, and it took us until half time to peg down what we needed to do to combat it." "They created a few chances and always tried to get in behind us because we were playing a high line but two goals came from our mistakes - a tackle at the top of the box and a defensive giveaway in the middle of the field from our right fullback," he added. "They exploited these mistakes." "In the regular course of the game, aside from the fact that they are a good team and had some penetrative moments, I think we were able to handle it, especially in the second half." Toronto Skillz showed great resolve as a team on the day, with players such as Marvin Omie, Mitchell Wong and Roen Fordyce-Hlywka getting special praise from the manager. "Marvin has been a really positive player for us," said Fitzpatrick. "He has really made an impact since arriving, and defensively gives us a real presence back there. He organizes well and his leadership is what I think a lot of players have been thriving off of." "Now it is just a matter of getting into games like this, where we have such a young team, and getting a leader like Marvin to have the confidence to urge us on and make us play," he added. "We brought on a couple of our younger players in the second half, Roen and Mitchell for example, and they did a fantastic job. It's just now getting them to have that confidence and belief that they can play at this level. With some growing pains, I think we will get better."
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