WILTON - The Wilton Ancient Fathers, ahem, Warriors, celebrated their Fathers' Day with an early morning derby fixture against Danbury 'Daddies' United at Lilly field last Sunday.  On the line was an opportunity to maintain 1st place in the SASL top division, and an exclusive unbeaten record. This year the Ancients have surprised themselves by becoming the team to beat. All the ingredients for a 90 minute soccer smorgasbord of competitive entertainment.  The game did not disappoint. Goals, controversy, drama and intensity was the recipe of the day that left the family-based crowd thrilled, the players spent and the referees exhausted.

Wilton started brightly with Ferenc Kiss picking up an errant ball before bearing down on goal and drawing a fine save off the legs of their advancing Keeper, deflecting the ball on to the top of the crossbar. From the resulting corner Romuald Szostek did well to win the header with the effort bouncing just the wrong side of the left upright.  After this opening foray the Danbury defense settled down to the same miserly reputation they had gained coming into the game (having conceded fewer goals than any other team in the Division), and an even exchange of narrow midfield play ensued.

Danbury’s slippery left winger threatened Paul DeFelice's territory eventually earning an angled free kick some 20 yards out. Andrea Galimi in goal took no chances commanding a 4-man wall to stand tall to block a menacing highly driven shot on goal. The Ancients sensed danger and it duly arrived via a long penetrating ball to the far post with Hossein Sadeghi just doing enough to pressurize the goal seeking Forward’s attempt just wide of goal..

40 minutes in and still no score. But then sudden drama and controversy in the Wilton 18 yard box. Danbury’s appeal for a hand ball, albeit accidental, appeared convincing. However, the referee was unsighted and signaled a corner instead. The Danbury protests continued into the half-time break.

The Warriors regrouped, regaining their composure and doubling their determination to get the game back under control. The breakthrough arrived when Kevan Quantock, with his back to goal and 30 yards out, flicked the ball over his head onto Andrew Allers’ feet.  Allers then expertly spun his marker and guided the ball home past an advancing goaltender to give the Warriors the lead.

Danbury were riled. Tackles flew in. Challenges gained intensity. Mourinho had his own version of the saying, "You can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs" and certainly both sides could not be accused of being "over easy" in this game!

Tom Parsons midfield play (literally) bled enthusiasm. The Ancient Greek Warrior Bill "Achilles" O’Herron’s heel injury forced his early withdrawal, but the Captain’s Myrmidons sauntered on in protection of their conquest.

But it would not come easy. Chances were spurned at either end . .

• Galimi’s fists punched an ominous cross clear
• Kiss’ whipped right wing cross was met by Allers diving header wide
• Galimi saved 1-on-1 and was also alert to the rebound
• Robert Sztachelski’s audacious 45 yard power lob had the opposition Keeper beaten but dipped just wide of the right post

And yet it still remained 1-0. As the minutes ticked by the drama unfolded. 9 minutes left and Gregory Gryglewski was hacked down leading to a melee of (semi-) controlled confrontation. 7 minutes left and Galimi bravely denied an incisive Danbury through ball and contributed another couple of extra minutes to injury time.

The clock ticked down.  Injury time was all that remained. Danbury launched one final attack into the danger area. Wilton failed to clear with a ricochet falling to the lone striker who took his chance finishing in the right corner to tie the game with seconds left.  One final Warriors attack saw the Danbury Keeper fumble a corner kick, spilling the ball to Kiss whose low drive was blocked to preserve the 1-1 result.

But the damage was done. Perhaps a fair result in considered retrospect but despite the Grade A, extra-large ingredients the Father’s Day breakfast could have tasted so much better.

On the sunny side up then the Ancients’ unbeaten record remains. Interestingly other results in the division have conspired to make next weekend’s final Warrior’s fixture a not-to-be-missed showdown which will decide the Master’s League Champions. Currently first placed Ancient Wilton Warriors will play the second place Greenwich Pumas on Lilly field at 10:00am next Sunday, 28th June.