BRIDGEPORT --- The Ancient Warriors season was showing signs of gaining momentum, with their last 2 wins having been by a single goal, undefeated since the first match of the season. There was definitely a feeling of optimism going into this game of making it 2 on the bounce against newly promoted Vasco da Gama who were lying bottom of the table.

They say you can tell the strength of a team by looking at the bench and on the basis of a bench comprising of Andrew Allers, Andrew Copley, Alex Etemadfar, Michael Freliech, Gregory Gryglewski and Slawomir Przybysz, Vasco da Gama were surely in for a pounding! 

And so it proved to be, the strength on the bench was translated into strength on the field and the Warriors quickly took control of the game. Playing with confidence on a small bumpy pitch they bossed possession from the off and it seemed only a matter of time before they scored. Appropriately it was Frank Surace, who was proving to be a thorn in the side of Vasco, applying the finishing touch to a Andy Hoffmann free kick from outside the box after 15 minutes of play. Ferenc Kiss, who had gone close a few times tapped in the second after another 8 minutes, with Hoffmann again the provider after a great run and delicate chip over the keeper. There should have been more as various Warriors passed up golden opportunities but the chances came and went and the half closed at 2-0 to the Warriors.

The second half opened with the strength from the bench being deployed on the field. The Warriors again assumed control and went in search of a third. They didn't have to wait long before, on a breakaway, Allers had his shot blocked by the keeper and Przybysz calmly slotted into the net from 20 yards out, with the keeper out of position --- 3-0 after 65 minutes.

Surely now was the time for the floodgates to open, but it wasn't to be. Curiously, Vasco now enjoyed their best spell of the match as the Warriors seemed to sit back and take their foot off the gas. For a good 20 minutes Vasco enjoyed the majority of possession while the Warriors struggled to string more than 2 passes together. The reintroduction of Hoffmann seemed to snap the Warriors out of their slumber and they again started to push forward. Hoffmann seemed to be everywhere despite getting some unwelcome attention from some of the Vasco players, going down heavily after one particularly meaty challenge. 

As the Warriors started to regain ascendancy it was a buildup from the back, eventually coming to Etemadfar who laid the ball back to Allers who struck a sweet shot into the left had corner. 4-0 after 80 minutes and the game as good as over. The Warriors should have scored more but that will have to wait for another day.

They have a week off for SASL league play now, as they how Danbury United at home in the first State Cup match, 10am October 11th at Lilly Field.