Bourne Overpowers Bulldogs

The Bourne Canalmen came out of the gate charging.  They constantly beat ORR to the ball, made penetrating runs off the ball and defended with passion.  They parlayed that desire into a 3-1 drubbing of the Bulldogs.

The teams settled for a 0-0 halftime score only because of the outstanding play of keeper Matt Beatty and his best friend, the cross bar.  The highlight saves were a point blank shot that he parried for a corner in the 16th minutes.  Nine minutes later Beatty again was called upon to save a long distance bullet that he managed to get a hand on to send wide for another of Bourn's 9 corner kicks.   ORR did create some chances during the half but the finishing was weak and when they got good shots off, the Bourne defenders were in position to block away any danger to their net.

The Canalmen were able to smack the Bulldogs around and off the ball much to easily and at times dangerously. The officials after a few warnings finally sent Bourne's top defender to the sidelines with the games only yellow card.  

Bourne got their first during a scramble in front of the net that left Beatty exposed when his defense not only failed to clear the ball, but also left Bourn's #11 unchallenged to pop home and easy goal.   In the 17th minutes, ORR again gave so much room and time that Bournes #10 was able to line up and fire a looping shot from 30yds that beat keeper Beatty easily to his upper right corner.   In the 24th, #10 was again left unmarked and unchallenged for and encore goal from the the same spot and and the result was again to Beatty's upper right corner of the net.  "I never expected this" said ORR coach Erich Carroll. "We are a much better team than this game showed".

With thirteen minutes remaining ORR found their game and began to press Bourne.  Jon Zucco was left unmarked in front of the net and gave the Bulldogs some energy and hope.   Two minutes later, Ted Costa forced an errant back pass, out hustled Bourne's defense and gaining a 1v1 chance to goal.  Costa scooped a nifty shot that beat the keeper high, but he put a little too much on it and the ball floated harmlessly over the net.

The Bulldogs did have one last chance with three minutes remaining when Matt Teefy sent a near perfect cross to a charging Max Sherman who arrive a half a step late missing an opportunity to head home a shot inside the six.

This game was a chess match and the difference was ORR was too slow to hold their shape under the pressure of Bourne.  Two defensive hesitations cost ORR goals that shouldn't have been and those errors were the difference in this one.

ORR hosts undefeated New Bedford Voke on Wednesday Sept. 28 at 3:30.