WILTON --- The Wilton Ancient Warriors appeared headed for an all too familiar result. Although finally perhaps reaching their best form of the season, the Ancients found themselves trailing to Greenwich Puma on Sunday at Lilly Field by 1-0 at half time. In an otherwise entertaining and evenly played match, the Pumas goal was earned by virtue of a crisply taken corner kick and volley just before the mid-match break.

For the fifth time in nine games, Wilton faced the prospect of engineering another come-back effort. Not an easy task against a formidable side such as Greenwich, but made more difficult considering the multitude of nagging injuries recently beset upon the Ancients.

Nevertheless, the home side remained switched on from the second half start, working to the outside with fluidity, displaying balance from the back and attacking the full field opportunistically. Chances followed by searing shots from Andrew Hoffmann, Andrew Allers, Piotr Bierezowiec and Robert Sztachelski. But, each time the Pumas keeper was up to the task. Greenwich found their chances as well, only to be turned away by yet another shining performance between the sticks from Goalkeeper Mark Isaacs.

As has become their trademark to this point, Wilton stuck to their plan and momentum ultimately turned in their favor at 72 minutes when Hoffman hit an ideal corner that saw Captain William O’Herron rise and bury a mighty header.

With the score now level, Wilton ventured to find the go-ahead goal.  The Pumas, however, would not comply so easily.

Just moments after O’Herron’s equalizer, Isaacs turned another stunning save off a Greenwich header which rebounded inside the goal area to the opposition’s feet. With a wide open net for his taking, the Pumas striker inexplicably pressed the rebound wide. Perhaps a higher force than the Wilton defense was at work.

Ten minutes from time, the force was at work again when Slawomir Prbzybysz received a throw-in just inside the visitor’s half and, left unmarked, spotted Kourosht Azarbarzin roaming alone down the right side. With room to survey, Azarbarzin sent to Ferenc Kiss who one-touched a swinging lob just over the desperate hands of the Greenwich keeper who was caught off his line.

With a 2-1 advantage Wilton curiously retreated to its own end to nurse the lead and nearly paid dearly for employing that strategy. On more the one occasion Greenwich came close to drawing even, the most threatening coming at just two minutes remaining from a direct kick outside the penalty box. Happily for the Ancients none found the back of the net and Wilton held on for a well-earned victory.

In the end, the Ancients earned three vital points to keep them in contention for the top spot at the halfway point of the season.

To wrap up the Fall stanza, Wilton now has two Cup games remaining with the first 10am at Lilly this Sunday (08-Nov) and their final match before the winter break against the same Greenwich Puma, in Greenwich on the fortnight.

DANBURY --- They are resilient, those Ancients.

For the fourth time in their eight matches this season, and third time in their past four, the Wilton Ancient Warriors fell behind early only to claw back for a late score and avoid defeat at Danbury.

This time in the late going, it was Michael Schneidman collecting a loose ball inside of midfield with just a moment to catch the eye of Andrew Allers, who finally found space behind the defense to run onto a well timed through ball, easily sidestep the Keeper and poke home Wilton’s only score of the game at 82 minutes.

A sure relief to the Ancients who spent the better part of the afternoon struggling to find a rhythm and, excepting the game tying goal, could not create any meaningful chances.

From the start, this scuffle vs. Danbury took on a very different profile than the 5-1 drubbing handed them by the Warriors in Cup play just two weeks prior. On this occasion, the home side had the Ancients on their heels, but suffered from their own misgivings, misfiring on goal at least six times in the first half.

With Danbury thoroughly enjoying the majority of possession, Wilton was lucky to concede only one goal which came at 34 minutes off a low, hard cross Danbury was able to outstep the Wilton defense and punch into the lower left corner of the Warriors net.

Compounding their inability to earn possession of their own, Wilton also faced a steady wind in the first half which served to keep the long-ball at bay whenever they attempted to clear their way out of trouble in their own end. As the first half whistle sounded Wilton was lucky to be just one goal down and hoped the break and switch of sides would signal a change in fortunes going into the second half.

Perhaps not. At least not right off.  Straight from the second half start, Danbury easily broke through the Wilton defense only to be turned away by Keeper, Mark Isaacs. After 15 minutes, Wilton would find their pace, but not the chances.  Play evened and the Ancients touch improved as they found success on the wings with Nick Slater and Ferenc Kiss able to more frequently get deep into Danbury territory. Greg Gryglewski and William O’Herron turned momentum in the midfield and Tom Parsons proved nearly impenetrable at center back.

With time fading after Allers’ equalizer, Danbury’s striker managed to break behind the Wilton defense. Isaacs bravely rushed to the top of his area to close on the approaching attacker who mindfully chipped over him. This time the wind worked in the Ancients favor as the flight of the ball was clearly altered and met the left post and cleared from danger by Parsons, rather than bounding in for a heartbreaker.

That’s where it ended. Sometimes the wind blows in your direction, sometimes against. On this day Mother Nature was both an adversary and ally, all within the space of 90 minutes, as the Warriors escaped with another draw.

Wilton's defense deserves an honorable mention having played with only three at the back for much of the second half.  Recognizing the need to score, Parsons sent sweeper Piotr Bierezowiec forward to provide extra attack for the last 30-35 minutes.  Even a man down in defense, Wilton was able to keep the sheet clean second half, setting up the draw.

For the moment, Wilton drops to second on the table by just one point and will play their final match of the Fall season as host to Greenwich Puma on Sunday, 11/1. Kick off is 10am at Lilly Field.

CHESHIRE --- I haven't participated in one in a long time.  But this Sunday, in Cheshire against the Azzurri, as the Ancient Warriors came from two goals behind to tie the game in the last moment of the game, the Warriors celebrated with a good old-fashioned dog-pile.

Cheshire's Parks & Recreation Department does not close fields as a rule, rather they leave it to the referee crew to decide whether the field is playable.  At 11am in Cheshire, the field was borderline, so the game was on.  38 degress and a driving rain shows one that, like the US Postal Service, it takes more than weather to keep the old men of WIlton from their weekend soccer.

Cheshire has finished in the top 3 for five seasons running, so this was never going to be an easy task, and the wet, sloppy conditions did not bring excitement to the turf-spoiled Warriors.  But as the game started, Wilton immediately set about their task of relentless attack, enjoying the majority of possession from the start, and on the 20 minutes mark, their work was rewarded.  Paul DeFelice stole the ball deep, passed up to Kevan Quantock near the right touchline, who immediately played a one-touch ball to Andrew Hoffmann.  Steaming ahead, Hoffmann reached the ball just before the opposition player, touched it one way and ran himself around the other side, meeting the ball and bearing down on goal.  Reaching the penalty area, he cut right and blasted a low drive near-post past the keeper into the net for a quick Wilton lead.  Hoffmann nearly doubled the lead 5 minutes later on a mirror image run, this time cleverly chipping the Keeper, who was just equal to the task and tipped over the crossbar for the save  For the rest of the half, Cheshire took control of the match enjoying the majority of possession and chances, although most of their attacking  was without real sting.  On 38 minutes however, the home team got through and completed a nice exchange with their Striker connecting on a cross from their left side to level the score and take the game into half-time tied at 1-1.

Thankfully a short half-time break ensued, with no players wanting to hang out in the brutally cold weather, and the game was quickly back underway.  The field had gotten progressively worse and there was standing water on both halfs, but noone present was prepared to call the game.  Only 5 minutes after the restart, Cheshire struck again with a second goal to take the lead, and control of the match.  Digging deep, the Warriors just could not mount any serious challenges, and after 70 minutes, the Azurri struck again, taking a commanding lead at 3-1 with only 20 minutes left to play.

Here is where the true soul of a team shows itself.  Do the Warriors crumble and disintegrate into sniping, complaining curmudgeons, or do they rise to the occasion, and work as a team to mount a challenge.  I think you already know where this is headed.  For the next 12 minutes Wilton was all attack but just could not make the net bulge.  Andrew Allers was hauled down by his shirt, having beaten the offside trap, but the free-kick was wasted.  Robert Sztachelski was through on the left-hand side, but his shot was blocked.  A corner kick was turned on target, only to be denied by the Cheshire defender standing as the last line of defense.   Was it not to be?  The Warriors have only lost once in the last 2 years, and after traveling so far and enduring the weather, it just didn't seem right to lose here again today.

Finally 82 minutes into the match, Sztachelski laid a ball down the left-hand side to an on-rushing Romuald Szostek.  Just out-sprinting the opposing Sweeper to the ball, Szostek crossed at an impossible angle into the box.  Allers was able to duck inside his marker and meet the ball mid-air, side-footing it into the goal --- 3-2 down with 8 minutes to play, and the fire was lit.  Cheshire was now on the back foot, trying desparately to wind down the clock, with Wilton again attacking relentlessly.  As the dying seconds came the Ancient threw everyone forward.  An insufficient Azzurri clearance was met by left-back Michael Schneidman who, sensing the imminent final whistle, correctly lofted the ball back into the penalty area.  A mis-communication with the opposition defense was taken advantage of by Szostek who deftly controlled the ball with one touch, and calmly poked it by the Keeper to bring the scoreline level.  With the referee blowing the whistle for full-time, Wilton took advantage of the wet conditions, as Szostek slid on his knees to celebrate the win.  Warrior after Warrior came sliding in after, with a good old-fashioned dog-pile ensuing, giving the old men of Wilton yet another chance to act like children.  Just a draw, but coming from 2 goals down in 8 minutes, it felt like a win, and should serve as a strong emotional boost to the team as they round out the end of the Fall season.

Currently at the top of the table, Wilton faces Danbury United next Sunday, Oct 25th with an 11am kick-off at the Portuguese Cultural Center.

WILTON --- Wilton Ancient Warriors took time out from their regular SASL season to begin their 2009-10 CSSA State Cup run this weekend with an impressive 5-1 win against Danbury United.  Danbury were SASL First Division Champions in 2006 and 2007, but the newly increased popularity of the Master League has since seen the number of teams grow from 19 teams in 2005, to 25 teams in 2009 (not including 9 additional teams in the newly formed over-48 Division).

The SASL (http://g.archer.home.att.net/sasl/), is part of the CSSA (http://g.archer.home.att.net/cssa/) which is in turn affiliated with the USSF (http://www.ussoccer.com/) and USASA (http://www.usasa.com/).  The CSSA runs an annual State Cup tournament open to teams from any State League.  The tournament runs in two stages with a Group Stage (4 round-robin groups of 4 teams each) in the Fall, and the Knock-Out Stage (single-elimination comprised of the top 2 teams from each Group) in the Spring.  A convincing win against another SASL Division 1 team get the Ancients off to the right start in this competition.

Wilton's pre-game advantage came from (a) having a strong Goalkeeper in Mark Isaacs (the opposition had to make due with a deputized Keeper) and 4 substitutes (Danbury having only 1).  Indeed Thomas Parsons traveled home early from New Jersey, while Romuald Szostek and Andrew Allers took an early morning drive in from kids' tournaments in New Hampshire to play for the Warriors, before heading straight back up to catch their sons' afternoon games.  Dedication or foolishness ... decide for yourself.

Danbury having a team of skilled ball-handlers and passers took an immediate advantage.  While not directly threatening the goal, the first few minutes were spent with the Ancients having a hard time possessing the ball.  Enter Robert Sztachelski with his first goal of the 2009-10 season.  As the ball came to him just into the opposition's half, Sztachelski looked up, saw their Keeper off his line, and floated a sublime ball nearly 45 yards in the air, over his head into the netting.  Was it a shot, or a pass?  Irrelevant as the scoreline was 1-0 to Wilton after just four minutes.  Far from caving in, Danbury pressed hard to regain their lost momentum, and the next 35 minutes saw a lively match with both teams taking (and spurning) chances, but the half was nearing an end with the slim Wilton advantage still at one goal.  As the First Division demands, Wilton stepped up the intensity of their pressuring on the Danbury players.  Building from Piotr Bierezowiec and Parsons in the back, through William O'Herron and Alex Etemadfar in the midfield, finally the deadlock was broken when Szostek applied pressure to the Danbury left back.  As is their style, he casually tried to play it across to his center back, but the pass was somewhat too casual allowing Allers to intercept, going one-on-one against and subsequently getting by the Keeper to add to the scoreline.  One minute later the half-time whistle blew and Wilton went into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead.

While the opposition was clearly tiring with their lack of substitutes, the Ancients opened the second half applying relentless pressure on the Danbury goal.  Soon after, on the 55th minute mark, Andrew Hoffmann lofted a clever ball over the opposition back line to an on-rushing Frank Surace who, finding himself one-on-one with the Keeper, easily slotted it by for a 3rd.  Feeling that they had the points in hand, the Warriors could not let up as goal-differential is a tie-breaking statistic in this competition.  Quickly another goal was added, this time with a precision cross from the left by Sztachelski which was met mid-air by a flying Surace who confidently volleyed it home.

Let it not be suggested that Danbury was without its chances throughout the match, but time and time again, Michael Schneidman, Kourosh Azarbarsin, Paul DeFelice and Andrew Copley wer able to harrass and hary them enough to keep them off balance.  On the rare occasions where an opposition Striker got through, Isaacs was equal to the task, denying two one-on-one breakaways with his Goalkeeping.  Unfortunately on the 60th minute, a Danbury Striker was able to get into the box and finish to bring the score to 4-1, denying Wilton the chance for a clean sheet.

Any momentum that the visitors might have hoped for was quickly dashed however when 7 minutes later Nicholas Slater slotted a precision ball through to Allers, just beating the Offside trap, again finding himself alone against the Keeper.  Unfortunately a poor shot selection produced a fine save by the opposition.  Fortunately salvation was at hand as the deflected save fell right to Allers' feet and he was able to side-foot it past the confused defense into an open net, grabbing the final goal.

SASL league play resumes 11am next Sunday, October 18th at Quinnipiac Park against a formidable Cheshire Azzurri.

WILTON --- While Sunday morning's steady rain at Lilly made for slick playing conditions, it may have in fact worked as the Ancient's "12th man" as Wilton skidded by visiting Guilford Black Eagles with a 2-1 win. Having shown signs of coming unhinged in the prior two matches notching five goals against formidable competition, Wilton was hoping for a higher margin of victory. However, the result did deliver three critical points and a rise to fourth position on the table after five rounds of the fall season.

Beyond absorbing pressure for the first 15 minutes and fending off the occasional burst from Guilford's speedy striker, Wilton was best for most of the match. Even so, the home side went into half time trailing 1-0. A concession that came only by Guilford scoring from a loose ball rebound after Mark Isaacs bravely stuffed a Black Eagles break at the top of his area. As for Wilton, the first half saw Robert Sztachelski, Ferenc Kiss and Romuald Szostek spurn the handful of chances they had to lift the Warriors in the early going.

At the half time break Andrea Galimi's stirring speech served to ignite the Ancients and apparently awake them from their slumber. Indeed it was a good morning to stay in bed, but the Ancient's two second half goals proved just enough to secure the victory.

The equalizer came about the 55th minute as the Warrior's pressure finally paid off. It was Andrew Allers, after receiving a light touch from Frank Surace across the top of the penalty area, turning once to space and firing a low shot that slid just under the outstretched arms of the Guilford Keeper to the back of the net. With his 5th goal in the last three matches, Allers seems to be one Warrior who has shaken off the summer doldrums.

With the score now level, and Wilton continuing to take up residence in the Black Eagles end, the home side pressed on in search of the lead. When Guilford were able slide through, however, advances were summarily extinguished thanks to ongoing running and close marking inspired by Galimi's aforementioned half time epithets. Credit must also go to timely tackling by center men Gregory Grylewski and Andrew Copley keeping a watchful eye on Guildford's explosive front men. Staggering though was the measured abandon of Isaacs in between the sticks, owning his area and closing down every angle in thunderous fashion.

The Wilton attack continued on when Slawomir Przybysz lined a strong cross from the right corner to the near post . A closely marked Andrew Hoffman got his head to the ball, which was subsequently handled by the Guilford defensman.  With the resulting penalty kick (and what could be the game deciding goal), Nicholas Slater lined up for the take. Slater went down the middle with a low sliding shot beneath the Keeper's arms to give Wilton the lead at 2-1.

It was the end of the goals, but not the chances.  Alex Etemedfar, Michael Schneidman, Sztachelski, Slater, Kiss and Surace would all have a go at goal, but to no avail.

Wilton heads off to Bridgeport next Sunday to face newly promoted Vasco De Gama, currently at the bottom of the table, at 11am. Will this be the game for the Ancients to light up the scoreboard?

WILTON -- Goal scorers often get all the accolades. But, in the Ancient Warriors' 2-2 draw against Greenwich Gunners last Sunday, one must look no further than to the play-making of Slawomir Przybysz and Frank Surace to find the source of Wilton's offense as each provided a sparkling delivery for Andrew Allers to easily convert and account for both Ancient's scores.

Przybysz delivered first, just 15 minutes into the match, placing a perfectly weighted lob over the Gunners defense. As if his deft touch wasn't enough, Przybysz appeared to apply a back spin reminiscent of a Tiger Woods approach shot, thus sticking the ball in place for the onrushing Allers to collect and easily poke in for a 1-0 advantage. A mere mortal surely would have wasted it sending a heavy ball to the Greenwich Keeper for a chance unrealized.

It wasn't all Wilton, however. The Gunners, last season's Division 1 runners up only by goal differential, applied their own pressure, methodically working in from the wings and capitalizing on quick counter attacks that often left the Warriors defense out-manned. Nevertheless, Wilton took a 1-0 lead into half time on the strength of Andrea Galimi's goal keeping and strong resistance from back-line wingers Michael Freliech, Andrew Copley, Paul DeFelice and Kurt Azarbarzin.

From the second half start, Greewhich were the brighter of the two teams and made a break at 65 minutes when a Gunner got clear just above the penalty area and delivered a simple ball through to his man on the right for an easy equalizer.

As time progressed play began to appear choppy as Wilton struggled to build together and get in front of the action. Greenwich also fruitlessly searched for a seam in the Wilton armor, but neither side was able to find a real chance.

A break would come for the Gunners in the 76th minutes as Tom Parsons and Greenwich's striker rose together for a high ball inside Wilton's penalty area. As they fought for possession, the ball deflect off Parsons' arm resulting in a handling call and a penalty kick for the visitors. Despite histrionics from Galimi intended to distract the penalty taker, the ensuing kick was easily converted and Greenwich suddenly owned a 2-1 lead.

From there, Wilton changed attitude substituting for more offense and pushing forward in an attempt to draw even and salvage a point. Bill O'Herron and Nicholas Slater each tried their luck from 25 yards. Przybysz sent yet another sublime ball down the spine for a streaking Piotr Bierezowiec. But, Wilton could not convert as the tiring Gunners defense held firm.

Pressing forward, however, also comes with risk. On one quick counter, Greenwich's striker sprung for a clear break but was chased down and thwarted from behind by Parsons. The referee judged Parsons' act as dubious and excused him from the pitch with a straight red.

Wilton now found themselves down a goal, down a man and a mere eight minutes remaining. But, the Warriors would not be denied.

Enter Frank Surace. Just minutes after Parsons' send off, Surace was able to work his way deep into Greenwich territory finally running out of room on the byline to the right post. Seemingly trapped, Surace pivoted and lifted an improbable chip over the Keeper onto Allers' head waiting at the doorstep of the Greenwich goal. Even score 2-2.

A fair result between last season's top two finishers. A point puts Wilton with 5 after four matches and just 2 from the top in the early season.

Wilton hopes for three points in their next match when Guilford visits Lilly Field on Sunday, 9/27 at 10am.

WESTPORT -- The forecast for Sunday September 12 was bleak ... A Storm was gathering. To be more precise the Connecticut Storm were gathering in Westport.

They had an unbeaten record against the  Wilton Ancient Warriors with 2 wins, and 2 draws over 2 seasons. And with the Division 1 defending Champions scoreless in their opening two games and playing away on a small, grass field --- the opposite of what the Warriors were accustomed to at Lilly field  the outlook was indeed ... bleak.

Undaunted by the statistics, weather or the early 8am kick-off, the Warriors set about their business from the outset. The best move of the game, coming just 4 minutes in, saw Andrew Hoffmann coming deep to pick up possession in midfield, taking defenders with him before laying the ball off to left back Michael Freliech who quickly released Robert Sztachelski down the left wing.  Sztachelski’s pace saw him around the back of the Storm’s defense before drilling a perfect low. hard cross which was met by a clinical Andrew Allers finish from the far post.

The opponents Stormed back, however, Wilton’s goaltender Andrea Galimi provided much needed rain cover diving at the attackers’ feet with one especially well timed capture of the ball, followed by an acrobatic leap to his left to competently turn a long range effort around the post.

But the Warriors continued to look dangerous going forward. The industrious Nicholas Slater released Ferenc Kiss who crossed for a lunging Hoffmann to slot the ball home making it 2-0 to the visitors. No goals in 180 minutes of the season start and now two in 20 --- all too predictably the original bleak forecast was wrong.  However just when the silver lining starts shining an early twister appears on the horizon...

A seemingly harmless long, high ball whipped through the middle of the defense manages to evade the advancing Wilton keeper and unexpectedly nestles in the net. Now only one goal between one or three vital points.

Momentum didn’t know which way to turn as both sides probed forward. However the Warriors sweeper, Piotr Bierezowiec, was not as hesitant.  He showed how full-blooded challenges should really be made in a freak accident (knocking his head against an opponent's knee as he slipped in the wet grass) that temporarily curtailed proceedings and led to an unscheduled hospital appointment for the Warriors 2008 MVP.  This caused Wilton to finally tap into their nine substitute bench with Andrew Copley and Thomas Parsons presenting a formidable cold front to the Storm’s advances.  2-1 at half time and a forecast for the second half as changeable as Fox 9.

That said it always looked like more goals on a small field were inevitable, and the field did not disappoint.  The Storm came back with a vengeance as Wilton conspired to sit back and rest on their laurels. Even exchanges pursued. A Connecticut Storm attack was blunted. At the other end a long cross by Sztachelski to the far post found Frank Surace stretching and doing well to keep the header on target, forcing a reaction fingertip save from the Storm keeper.  Hoffmann promptly took the corner and picked out Allers who timed his run leaping high above the static Connecticut defense to power the ball into the old bulging onion bag to claim the 3-1 lead and some much needed breathing room for his warrior like Warriors.

But the drama was not over with plenty of time left .  The game got niggly. The foul frequency increased. Players became more confrontational.  The Storm were frustrated by a solid back four of Parsons, Copley, and Freliech with Paul DeFelice & Michael Schneidman rotating at right back.  However, with ten minutes left the Storm got a deserved second goal with a bouncing ball through the middle presenting an opportunity for the center forward to coolly lob the advancing Wilton goalkeeper --- 3-2 and too close to forecast all of a sudden. Game on!

Within the last few minutes the Storm pressed but Wilton held firm. The three points were too valuable. The Ancients hung on and recorded their first goals and first win of the season. They will now be inspired by a forthcoming home fixture against the Greenwich Gunners at 10:15am on Lilly Field, Sunday, September 20th.

WILTON - Wilton Ancient Warriors turned out 8:30am Sunday morning for the first home match of the 2009-10 SASL season.  Hosting the 2008 Division 1 Champions it was sure to be a physical, tense contest with either team capable of winning.  But this day, neither would be able to capitalize on their opportunities and they would both walk away feeling unsatisfied.

At the kickoff, Wilton immediately went on the offensive and stayed this way for much of the first half.  The Warriors wasted at least four golden opportunities to take the lead as the forward line again had difficulty finding the back of the net.  Fortunately, Shelton was also unable to capitalize on their few opportunities, some due to their own profligacy, but some due to Mark Isaacs' tenacious goalkeeping.  As the half came to an end, the visitors took a quick free-kick --- and as the Warriors protested that the kick was not taken from the point of the infraction, their forward was sprung through on a clean breakaway.  As Isaacs came out of his penalty area, the ball was kicked up into his hands and the visitors were awarded a free kick.  Despite a torrent of protestation and abuse by the opposition, the referee showed Isaacs (only) a Yellow Card and the kick was taken and squandered.

The second half was a scrappy affair, with Wilton wasting another couple of chances, still unable to capitalize.  Fortunately the Warriors cagey back line was alert, catching the opposition at least ten times with the offside trap.  Isaacs was fairly untroubled (as was the Shelton keeper) throughout the half, and the game drew to a 0-0 draw.  Indeed, the biggest excitement of the match came when an opposition player was shown a Red Card after the game for verbal abuse of one of the officials.  All players know that the Referee's authority extends to the sidelines, up until the players have left the field.

Off to a slow start, the Warriors now break for Labor Day and resume the season 9am Sunday, September 13 at Coleytown School in Westport as they face the Connecticut Storm.

OLD LYME -- Keep a knockin’ but you can’t come in. The old Little Richard standby rang too true for the Wilton Ancient Warriors on Sunday, falling on the blunt side of a 2-0 score in their 2009-2010 season opener against Southeast Rovers at Town Woods Park.

There was no shortage of opportunities for the Ancients, last season’s leader in goals scored, not having suffered a single shut-out. But, the defending SASL Champions simply could not find the back of the net. Credit rightly must go to the Rovers defensive corps, who were able to pack the penalty box and leave little room for Wilton to stretch the field and capitalize on their usual speed advantage.

Wilton’s attack was not the only part of their performance that lacked proficiency. According to Nicholas Slater, “Shooting was off, so was passing and marking. Basic stuff. We lost. We stepped up the pressure at the beginning of both halves but didn't keep our foot on the gas.”

Whether due to fitness or because they were playing without two (injured) key men, William O'Herron and Robert Sztachelski, when Wilton did take their foot off the gas Southeast took advantage. The home side went up at 17 minutes when an otherwise harmless cross skipped through Wilton’s center defense and fell to the feet of an unmarked man sneaking up on the weak side. With little challenge he was able to easily bury Southeast’s first goal past a helpless Andrea Galimi.

On the bright side for Wilton was the play of newcomer Frank Surace who was strong in midfield and the most productive Warrior on this day. On multiple occasions Surace’s acumen  in the open field lead to chances for Andrew Allers, Slawomir Prbzybysz, Gregory Gryglewski, Romuald Szostek and Slater. But each of their missed chances added to an increasing sense of frustration as the time clock progressed.

After weathering heightened Wilton pressure from the second half start, Southeast struck again at 68 minutes. Collecting an errant pass in the Wilton defensive third, the Rover’s man, left to his own devices, had time to line up a low hard shot that found its way just inside the right post. With a 2-0 advantage Southeast retreated to their end and were able to stuff Wilton’s desperate attempts to salvage even a point and run off remaining time with little threat from the visitors.

It doesn’t get any easier for Wilton as they seek to get back on track vs. Shelton Kickers, 2008 SASL Champs, at Lilly Field this Sunday, 8/30 for an 8:30AM start.