ENERGIE REMAINS UNDEFEATED

SPIRITED SECOND GAMES SEE ENERGIE FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS

Saul, Steve, Loli and Andrew rejoice on their goals

Sunday Night Results:

Energie vs Dynamo

The Fans were riled up for a game of epic proportions, and they were not disappointed.

Energie came out fast and hard, scoring an unprecedented nine goals.

Dynamo, after some initial difficulties, found the net on numerous attempts, and failed to capitalize on some key plays.

"I think that they played well," Captain Terry related to reporters,"they showed us that we had some glaring holes in our defence. Although I think we had the game well in hand, they did surprise us, and made us pay for some lazy plays."

"Games like these are important," Captain Jason told reporters post game." They allow us to see what's working and what isn't. Obviously I'm not pleased with the result, but it allows me to shuffle things around and determine better courses of action. How we missed the net so many times puzzles me, but we need to look towards next game."

Lokomotive vs Red

Fans were eager to see how their boys in black would do against a League team.

Although the Blacks found themselves on the losing end, they found many opportunities, but converted none to actual goals.

"It's just one of those days," confirmed Captain Aaron," where we outplayed them completely, but found ourselves without a goal. We had some excellent chances, but nothing went in. This is something we need to figure out as the season goes on."

STATS:

(SE) Saul (A)

(SE) Steve R (G)

(SE) Saul (A)

(SE) Steve R (G)

(SE) Andrew (G)

(SE) Ryan (A)

(SE) Steve R (G)

(SE) Wayne (GWG)

(SE) Saul (A)

(SE) Steve R (G)

(SE) Saul (G)

(SE) Loli (OG - credited)

(SE) Andrew (G)

MAN of the MATCH: Carlos

Most Improved Player: Andrew

Keeper: Al (WIN)

(SD) Trevor (A)

(SD) William (G)

(SD) Kam (A)

(SD) Cam (G)

(SD) Cam (A)

(SD) Kam (G)

(SD) William (G)

Man of the Match: William

Most improved Player: Cam

(SL) Luis (yellow)

Man of the Match: Luis

Most improved Player: Darryl

INDOOR SEASON BEGINS

SPARTAN DERBY CUP -- LOKOMOTIVE VS DYNAMO!!!

Captain Jason vs Captain Aaron!

The Season for our heroes on the pitch came to a fevered pitch this weekend with Lokomotive and Dynamo opening up the Spartan Derby!

DYNAMO AT LOKOMOTIVE

Lokomotive fans were at a heightened state of excitement, viewing their new Squad during the national anthems. Singer Celine Dionne was barely audible over the cries of the Black's Krew.

Things started out well for Captain Jason, with his side netting two goals, including a blister from rookie William which shook the wall behind the net upon impact.

Captain Aaron's team mounted a comeback, scoring two in the late minutes of the first half.

Second half was all Black, as Lokomotive punished Dynamo for numerous transgressions. But Green's hero Sean elated his fan base, the BS Seaners, with numerous feats of super human football. Keeper Trevor also harnessed some of that Magic, keeping his team in the game.

The end result of 4-3 allowed Lokomotive to take a lead in the Spartan Derby.

"I think that Dynamo played extremely well," Captain Aaron said in a post game interview," and we were lucky to score when we did. I can see big things for this side in the future. But for now, we need to concentrate on improving our communication."

"The Blacks played extremely well," Captain Jason mentioned in his post match talk with reporters." The match could have gone either way...and that's great football. We'll take these lessons and use them against the Champions."

ENERGIE VS HAMMERS

Last year's Spartan Derby Winners went up against the League's semi-finalists.

Energie was missing their star player Saul, and had to settle with Steve.

"Well, it could be worse," stated Captain Terry before the game," but we'll make do somehow!"

The action was fast and furious, with the teams tied up at half nil to nil.

Although the Hammers came out of the gate quickly, they became frustrated with the great Blue Wall, enabling Keeper Al to make some great saves.

In the end, it was veteran Steve who enabled Energie to walk away with a tie with a be-autiful header that made both men and women faint at the sight!

"Overall a very satisfying result. These games really prepare us for the excellence of the Spartan Derby, and we're ready for Dynamo next week," Energie's Captain told reporters.

STATS:

(SE) Loli (A)

(SE) Steve (G)

(SE) Al -- TIE Keeper

Man of the Match: Steve

Most Improved Player: Steve

(SD) Bill (G)

(SD) Bill (A)

(SD) Brian (G)

(SD) Trevor (A)

(SD) Bill (G)

Man of the Match: Sean

Most Improved Player: Trevor

(SL) Jon (A)

(SL) Curits (G)

(SL) Michael (A)

(SL) Talon (G)

(SL) Jon (A)

(SL) Curtis (G)

(SL) Curtis (GWA)

(SL) Aaron (GWG)

(SL) Ross -- WIN Keeper

Man of the Match: Talon

Most Improved Player: Curtis

AND IT BEGINS!!!

BARON STOKED ABOUT THIS YEAR'S TEAMS

My fellow Footballers!

I'm very pleased to have three teams again this year.
We attempted to get six, and we have enough for four, but this is how things fall.

Next year we will double our efforts to create our own division and continue the "Great Experiment".

Terry and Andrew will be returning with a few new faces to pursue a repeat of the Spartan Derby Cup.
Last year ENERGIE started their team off slow, but it clearly was the dominant Spartan team in League play.
Against their Spartan Brothers there were a so many very close games.
And none was closer than the Final!
We found a Golden Pear winner in Saul, a tremendous athlete who wears his heart on his sleeve.
I have high hopes for the men in Grey, and hope that they continue strong!

Aaron will be taking over Lokomotive this year.
Aaron has impressed me with his skills, his tactical abilities and his never say die attitude.
Lokomotive came out very strong initially, but didn't find itself due to numerous injuries.
Their last game for the Spartan Derby Cup was their best.
A tie was there...but the REF called the game before that epic shot by Curtis on the open net.
I always wonder if Curtis would have botched it or hit the twine.
I guess we'll never know...LOL
For the Blacks, I wish them well, and consider them the most balanced team this year.

Lastly, no pun intended, Dynamo will see the return of Jason who was instrumental in putting together our expansion team.
Dynamo came off the gate very slowly, but managed to come together late in the season to score some impressive returns.
Of course, the Man of Matches Trophy was won by the universally revered Sean, who was the most sought after player in 2017.
With the players picked up on the off season, I can see the Greens easily becoming the fan favourite.

Remember guys, that these teams can't work without your support.
Consider this your division, and let's remember the most important thing...
Having fun and learning along the way.

SPARTAN OUTDOOR SEASON ENDS

BARON HAS WORDS FOR THE STATUS OF REC SOCCER

Is true REC Soccer Dead in Durham?

I'm always asked the question,
"BARON, what do you consider REC Soccer?"

For me, REC soccer (Recreational Soccer) is a game where anyone can join. I don't mean mixing the sexes, that's entirely different in my view since the rules are augmented with the inclusion of the sexes.

And when I say everyone, I mean anyone! The males 18 years and older. Men of any skill level.

So far...so good.

But here's where the Baron deviates from the norm.

In a TRUE REC LEAGUE, the teams need to be balanced.
The whole idea is to have fun, remember, we're not here to win trophies or accolades.
Those are secondary to our efforts to play a game which we love to play.

When I say balanced, I mean that each time you play, whether you're new to the game or a seasoned and former pro player, the game is close. True competitive soccer as one wise man on my team put it.

True competitive soccer is when you're allowed to learn. When you're allowed to screw up during that learning process. A human improves through mistakes, not due to a lack of them.

What is happening in our region is that semi-REP teams are infiltrating the REC leagues and easily handing out loses to their opponents.

Getting beaten 12-0 is not fun. It's demoralizing and sucks big time!
You question whether or not age and lack of fitness have barred you from every playing something that you love to do.

And that's where I get to tell people this.
"IF you're a pro athlete, or have been practicing for decades and feel that you don't have the stuff anymore, well, that's age. Because you hit your max, and age does influence it. But if you never hit your max, your age shouldn't be an inhibitor. You can learn new tricks (contrary to the old dog and new tricks story) and improve yourself. The human body is a wondrous vehicle. And like any vehicle you need to feed it the right fuel and maintain it."

Instead of conceding to bollocks style excuses, I prefer to play with guys of any age who enjoy a night out sweating and having a post game BBQ. And I hate the leagues that don't recognize that it's not an age thing. There are men out there who have few skills...and they're fine with that, because all they want to do is kick a ball around and interact with other men.

And that's my sole intent in running soccer and recruiting more and more interested people into my teams. And as long as I have the numbers, I will continue to chase that dream.

Guys, thank you for the memories of the summer of 2017. In years from now I won't remember the scores, but I'll remember the BBQ's, the camaraderie and the jokes. Most of all, I'll remember the good times I spent with friends.

STATS
September 10th
1. Nelson
2. Justin
3. Jordan

September 17th
Baron's Three Stars:
1. Justin
2. Sean
3. Lloyd

Jordan (A)
Devon (G)

September 24th
Baron's Three Stars:
1. Brad
2. Trevor
3. Jason

October  1st:
Baron's Stars

1. Brad
2. Sean
3. Leo

Honourable Mentions:
Aaron
Tom
Jason
Trevor