Matchday 3 - Green vs. FC Oldtimers

DATE OF MATCH: September 27, 2015

OPPONENT: FC Oldtimers

LOCATION: Delta Park Field # 1

FINAL SCORE: FC Oldtimers 9, OGFC Green 1

SCORING SUMMARY:

GOALS - Jon Johnson (85th minute), Assisted by Steve Kuenzi

MISCONDUCT: None

SHORTS: Looking good

LINE UP:

Green Players: Eric Berg, Stephen Chen, Tim Dibble, Tom Dixon, Jonathan Drews, Rex Forkner, Gavin Granmo, Jon Johnson, Bill Kayser, Kip Kesgard, Steve Kuenzi, Rob Lusardi, Dale Montgomery, Rupert Prince, Rich Sheals, Rich Ybarra

OGFC O-50s: Mohammed Bader, Gary Golish, McCoy Smith, Rainer Thierauf

OGFC Co-Ed: Paul Cornell

Green Managers: Eric Berg, Jamey Billig, Dale Montgomery

Injured Green players unable to play but present: Jamey Billig, Bob Roberts

GAME SUMMARY:

It certainly was a collective Old Growth FC effort representing the Green side for Match #3, scheduled for midafternoon on September 27 out at Delta Park #1. The Green side had played at the complex the previous week on one of the new turf fields, but on this match, they were enjoying one of the last grass fields out at Delta Park in playing FC Oldtimers. With several Green members unavailable, the Green coaching staff put out the call for reinforcements – and they got 4 members of the O 50’s team, a member of the OGFC Co-Ed team, and other members of the OGFC community to put together a strong lineup. With Jamey Billig still unavailable, the question would be who would start at center back, but the team rotated in several players to fill in the line in front of keeper Gavin Granmo.

While the offense looked better in terms of attack – the Green was able to find room to move and attack = the defense was struggling a bit with the counter and conceded three goals in a well-played first half that saw Granmo make several saves, several misses passes or shots, and some solid deflections from the OGFC defensive line. Billig was very impressed with how well the defense rotated through to cover space, especially with several new players filling unfamiliar roles. Bader, however, was one of the key playmakers for the Green side in previous years, and his inclusion along with Rupert Prince, gave the midfield some much needed pace and creativity. While the half started out very well, however, the team was starting to tire a bit and the offense lost a weapon when Forkner had to leave the game with a swollen ankle. While he was able to leave the pitch slowly, he wasn’t able to return to play – but we hope he won’t miss any time – as the Green is already dealin g with injuries to Billig and Bob Roberts from previous weeks. The Green side also had some regular players available as Steve Kuenzi and Tom Dixon made their 2015 debuts.

After the break, the Green was deflated by the Forkner injury but they got good news when Johnson was able to join the match at halftime to give them some much needed speed, but it was impressive to see how well a team of various OGFC players – many who have not played together with any regularity – started to find some good movement with passing and speed. Billig was also taking care of substitutions to keep everyone fresh, and with FC Oldtimers only having a sub or two, the Green side was finding chances to attack late. The opponent was able to push in five goals in the second half – plus one unfortunate own goal off Bader when he tried to clear a set piece but he instead buried the ball into his own goal. All the smiles came late when Johnson was able to run up the left side off a drop pass from Kuenzi off a break, and Johnson was able to score OGFC Green’s first goal of the 2015 Fall off a lovely shot just inside the right post. The smiles came after the final whistle showing 9 to 1 FC Oldtimers, but Green was ecstatic about the tally.

Special thanks goes to the various affiliated OGFC sides that came out to support the Green side, and Roberts even made an appearance late to say hi to his teammates. While the result was another loss, there were marked improvements on the offensive and defensive side. Green will again play out at Delta Park on October 4 in match #4 when they play Celtic Portland FC at Strasser Field at 7 PM, and while it’s a bit late on Sunday night, the mood should be good especially if another green clad side has a big night out at Providence Park – which we hope for.

Submitted by Kip Kesgard, OGFC Green/OGFC Media Team