Charlie Gregory has show leadership by example and a hunger for goal
Photo: Ali Gilmore
In praise of Cascadia’s defenders – this is their article (Part 1)
by Steve Clare
You may think that after a six goal show, the praise should fall heavily on the forwards and the creative midfielders who provide their ammunition.
Cascadia 6 : 0 Tamil Eelam – Gallery
Certainly our match report features copious mentions of the men who notched the goals and assists and of course names such as Yuri Farkas, Tayshan Hayden-Smith, Jon Nouble and Calum Ferguson join Josh Doughty, Hector Morales and Max Oldham in Cascadian soccer history.
But Tamil Eelam were a better side than the 6-0 scoreline suggests and they created problems for the Cascadian defenders, even dominating two periods of the game, between Cascadia’s first and second goals and a period after Cascadia’s sixth and before the agonising final minutes of added time.
In those periods and indeed throughout the match, there were some stellar performances from the men at the back. This is their article.
Goalkeeper Will Marment has shown he has a very safe pair of hands. Where other keepers in this tournament have punched, palmed and patted, Marment has caught cleanly. In doing so, he has removed pressure on his side and given them key moments to recover their breath. He has also shown good gamecraft in known when to leave his line and when to stand pat. He may not have the traditional height of a keeper but he has shown above average skills in both handling and positional sense.
After a four goal hammering in the opening game, the increased confidence of Cascadia’s back four has been in part a tribute to Marment’s increasing confidence and form, as he has grown both into this team and this competition.
The Mighty Oak Matthieu Braem put the team first
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Sporting Bengal’s Charlie Gregory holds the honour of being Cascadia’s first official player. While not the most experienced or oldest on the team, he has set an example in a unique way that demonstrates future leadership qualities.
With little known about each others’ habits, especially off the ball runs, it made sense that long range efforts on goal could be one method of compensating for that.
Not only that, the knowledge that the ball carrier may ‘have a go’ puts opposition defenders in two minds about whether to close the man down or stand back. Indecision on your opponents’ part is always a good thing. They move later and they make errors. And when a defender attempts to close you down, space opens up behind him for goal poachers like Farkas, Morales and Ferguson to exploit. It didn’t happen as much in the first game as could have been expected.
Charlie Gregory is a full back and not a natural finisher, however he has led the way in being prepared to have a crack. Sometimes he has beaten three or four defenders and put himself in a good position. On other occasions, he has just been prepared to shoot on sight.
Gregory had no qualms about being the first to have a go and was prepared to fail, shoot wide, or have his effort saved. But he set an example to others that they would not be alone if they were a little bit brave. That courage reaped rewards yesterday with more long range efforts all round which brought one goal and helped eventually wear down the Tamils.
Gregory as a full back didn’t have to be the first to set an example. But he was and his statistics about shots are an enormous bonus to the team.
Will Marment has show great handing and intelligence
Photo: Ali Gilmore
Talking of taking one for the team, Matt Braem was laudably honest about his red card yesterday. According to coach Nichols, Braem’s rationale was simple:
“The opponent was going to score. If he scored, we were out the tournament. The team’s needs dictated that I commit an offence and take the red.”
Frenchie, or ‘the Mighty Oak’ as he is known will miss the quarter final against Karpatya and will be difficult to replace, but his selflessness is partly responsible for the team being there. That he needed a late fitness test to even make the game yesterday, is a testament to his determination and strength of character.
The side has become famous for bonding and getting to know each other in the shortest space of time. There is one exception to that, the brothers Jordan and Patrick Wilson who know each other’s game perfectly.
And for the impact they, and Captain Cascadia James Riley, have had, look out for In praise of Cascadia’s defenders – this is their article Part 2. This time with interviews.
