Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (2) vs. Concord (0)

The Cobras returned to action in fine form. Five new players (Bobby, Brendan, Mike N, Connor and Denton) joined the remainder of the team from last year.

The Cobras started strong, heavily outplaying Concord in the first half. Erik had a number of shots with a few on target, but none found the back of the net. Josh had little to do in the first half as the Cobras kept the vast majority of the play in Concord's end of the field.

In the second half Brendan took a clearance from Josh and just weaved his way up the field past the Concord defenders and drilled a shot past the keeper to put the Cobras up 1-0.

Shortly after that goal Denton found Matt D in the middle and sent in a nice cross that Matt D touched into the net to put the Cobras up 2-0.

Josh was required to make one good save in the game, but he was otherwise reduced to an onlooker as the Cobras kept control of the ball and their defense held very strong.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (2) vs. Litchfield (0)

In the Cobras second game of the Merrimack Jambree saw them face an old adversary, Litchfield. They were a stronger team than Concord and put up much more of a fight, but the Cobras prevailed again.

Much like the first game, the first half ended in a 0-0 draw with the Cobras keeping control of the ball most of the time.

In the second half Denton and Matt D got together again as Denton brought the ball down the left side and sent in a perfect cross for Matt D who one touched it into the net.

The Cobras continued the pressure throughout the second half. Erik took a corner kick and Timmer headed it into the net to put the Cobras up 2-0.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (0) vs. Manchester United (5)

The final game of the Merrimack Jamboree was against a very strong Manchester United team. One of the best passing teams the Cobras have ever seen and definitely a division I team.

Manchester played the Cobras very tight, leaving no space for the Cobras and were much more aggressive than Concord and Litchfield. Manchester piled up 5 goals during the game including a Bedford-like chip from the 18 yard box that sailed over Josh.

It was a tough way to end the tournament, but the Cobras played as well as could be expected against such a strong team and overall showed some serious improvement over their play in the Spring.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (0) vs. Massapequa (4)

The Cobras started the Labor Day tournament facing a tough division I club - Massapequa.

Massapequa were a high quality club who's passing kept the Cobras on their heels throughout the game.

Josh was solid in net, but faced a barrage of 8 shots in the 20 minute game, making 3 good saves.

Massapequa's first goal came after Erik attemped to concede a corner by kicking the ball over the goal line. This was intercepted by a Massapequa player who sent it into the box. Vinnie kicked it out, but it deflected off a Massapequa player and into the net.

Shortly after this, Connor appeared to be cut down while defending in the Cobras penalty area and grabbed the ball when he fell down. This resulted in a penalty kick. Josh did well to guess the correct side for the shot, but couldn't get there for the save and it was 0-2 in favor of Massapequa.

Massapequa stored again on a high cross, headed sharply past Josh.

Their final goal came when a Massapequa forward beat all the Cobras defenders for a 1-on-1 with Josh and put it in the net.

In the end, Massapequa was simply a higher level team. The Cobras did as well as could be expected against them.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (0) vs. Sporting SC (4)

The Cobras second game was against Sporting SC, another very strong Division I team.

Josh faced 14 shots in this game, with the first coming within seconds of the opening kickoff. A Sporting SC player just weaved through all the Cobras and put the ball into the net.

The Cobras again had trouble getting across midfield, but fought hard in their own end.

Vinnie came up big with on one play, getting back on defense to stop a Sporting SC breakaway and preventing the shot.

The only 2 shots by the Cobras were logged by Erik, one after another. Pushing up from his midfield position, he took a long shot that was batted down by the keeper and cleared right back to him. He immediately sent a hard shot back in that was just over the net.

Sporting notched another goal on a very long shot from the side that went over Josh's head and into the far top corner of the net.

A tough game for the Cobras, but, as with the Massapequa game, they played well against a very tough Division I opponent.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (0) vs. World Cup (0)

The World Cup U-13 team, though a year younger than the Cobras, they were very strong.

The Cobras started strong, keeping the ball in the World Cup end of the field. This meant that Josh had a far quieter game as World Cup logged only 1 shot.

The Cobras piled on 8 shots, but couldn't find the back of the net.

Matt started the push off with a good shot stopped by the World Cup keeper. A couple very nices crossed by Erik and Timmer were scooped up the the keeper before the Cobras had a chance to finish them.

Mike N, Connor and Brendan also sent in good shots that the keeper stopped. Connor also tried sending a chip over the keeper, but it hit the crossbar. Matt S was there to tap it in, but the keeper made a good save to stop it.

In the end it was a 0-0 draw. These 2 teams face each other in the morning again.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (0) vs. Milford (5)

The Cobras faced a good Milford team today and had a rough go of it. The boys hustled well all game, never giving up, but were just outplayed in a hard loss.

Josh was stunning in net. Although Milford piled up 15 shots, 5 of which found the back of the net, Josh logged 11 saves, at least 4 of which were breakaways that he stopped.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (7) vs. Amherst G (1)

The Cobras faced the Amherst girls team and rolled over them.

Josh spent the first half in net and never touched the ball, all play was in the Amherst end of the field. This was a good time for the Cobras to work on their passing and they passed very well.

Very early in the first half Mike N tallied the first goal on an unassisted shot from the top of the 18-yard box that sailed over the Amherst keepers head. On their next trip down the field, Denton drilled one just high over the net.

Conner got his first of the year on a pass from Vinnie that Erik flicked on to lead Conner into the right side of the 6-yard box. Connor finished with a good shot just inside the far post.

After pushing the ball into the Amherst 18-yard box, there was a flurry of activity when Matt D pushed the ball to Mike N and Mike slotted it home to put the Cobras up 3-0.

Denton then had another long shot stopped by the Amherst keeper with Erik right there looking for any rebound.

Matt S almost had the play of the game when he received a long pass at the right post of the Amherst net and flicked it up over his back toward the goal, but it went just over the crossbar. Very nice attempt.

In the second half, Nate replaced Josh in net.

The Cobras put up 4 more goals before settling back. The first was from Vinnie as he took the ball from midfield up the right side, around a defender and, at a very tough angle drilled a shot into the net.

The next was a long unassisted shot by Brendan putting the Cobras up 5-0. Brendan then set up Josh with a perfect pass up the middle leaving Josh alone against the keeper. He sent a rocket of a shot into the top left corner of the net.

The Cobras final goal came when Mike F stripped an Amherst defender and fed Jonathan who streaked in and put the ball past the keeper to put the Cobras up 7-0.

At this point the boys stopped attempting to score and eased up, allowing Amherst a chance in an otherwise lopsided game. They allowed Amherst to keep the ball in the Cobras end of the field and allowed 10 shots on Nate, including one goal.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (4) vs. Amherst B (0)

An excellent outing for the Cobras against the Amherst boys team. The Cobras started out a little soft, passing wasn't quite there, but they turned that around quickly.

Mike N notched the first goal only a few minutes into the game when Nate sent up a pass to Brendan who fed it to Mike N and he found the back of the net.

Following the goal there were a few good opportunities for the Cobras, but the finishing wasn't there.

In the second half, with the Cobras still up 1-0, they turned up the heat. There was a big flurry in front of the Amherst net and the ball was cleared back to Timmer around the top of the 18-yard box and he sent in a hard shot, high into the back of the net to put the Cobras up 2-0.

Erik followed with a breakaway after being fed a perfect pass, but he pushed the ball a little too far ahead of himself and ended up colliding with the keeper...and no good shot.

Shortly after that, Brendan fed Denton on the left and Denton sent a high curving shot into the net to put the Cobras up 3-0.

Later, Brendan notched another assist when he slipped a pass through the Amherst defense to sent Jonathan on a breakaway. Jonathan opted to take it in close, faked out the keeper and gently touched the ball into the net setting the final score at 4-0.

The Cobras piled on 20 shots while only conceding 3. The Cobras had some very good shots, but outstanding work in the net by the Amherst keeper prevented a higher score.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (7) vs. Concord (0)

The Cobras handled Concord well in the Merrimack Jamboree and continued their dominance today with a 7-0 win.

The Cobras controlled the game all day with Concord only getting off 2 shots, one wide and the other Josh made a good save on. If was a quiet game for Josh as the Cobras defense kept the ball well away from him.

Timmer started off the scoring, taking a pass from Mike N and sending in a right footed (his weak side) shot that got past the Concord keeper.

Timmer struck again, this time on a feed from Nick to put the Cobras up 2-0.

The Cobras pulled a little stunt with a short corner kick that caught Concord totally off guard and resulted in an excellent shot for the Cobras. Clever idea...

Mike N's first shot of the game was a rocket that went just wide of the net. At this point, Concord switched keepers. The new keeper was very good.

The half ended with the Cobras up 2-0 and going strong. The second half was no different. Concord never gained good control of the ball and the Cobras kept pounding away, keeping the replacement keeper for Concord very busy. He made a number of excellent stops that kept the score from being higher than it was.

Denton sent in a nice cross for Nick, but his header was a little high of the net. Well played by both boys though.

The Cobras spent a minute pounding the ball inside the 6-yard box and Timmer got it to Mike N who touched it home to put the Cobras up 3-0.

Shortly after that, Bobby fed Brendan who turned and sent in a beautiful cross that Nick touched in for the 4th Cobras goal.

A few minutes later, Brendan took the ball in on his own and ripped off a shot from the top of the 18-yard box that got over the Concord keeper, putting the Cobras up 5-0.

The Cobras kept up the pressure, with excellent passing from Vinnie, Brendan, Mike, Erik and Connor and solid defending from Mike F, Jonathan and Nate.

The 6th goal was from Bobby off a pass from Matt S. Bobby's first of the season and his first as a member of the Cobras.

The final goal, mercifully, came on a perfect corner kick from Bobby. With Erik and Matt S parked in the 6-yard box waiting, Bobby's kick went just over Erik's head and Matt S touched it into the back of the net.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (1) vs. Litchfield (2)

The Cobras faced Litchfield, a nemesis from years past and a team they defeated 2-0 in the brief Merrimack Jamboree game.

While the Cobras outplayed Litchfield all day, had most of the ball possession and outshot Litchfield 25-6, they couldn't finish and went down 1-2.

The Cobras tallied the only goal of the first half when Connor fed Brendan who sent in a long high shot that the Litchfield keeper got a piece of but couldn't stop and into the net it went.

The Cobras had a number of good chances, logging about half of their shots in the first half. Litchfield, on the other hand, had no significant offense to speak of in the first half and managed only 2 shots.

Mike N took a penalty kick for the Cobras midway through the first half, but the Litchfield keeper guessed the correct side and made a very good save on the kick.

Nate had a good outside shot from the left side that looked like it would be going it, but the Litchfield keeper just got a hand to it, deflecting it to the post and away from the net.

In the second half Litchfield changed keepers, putting their first half keeper in at forward. He managed to spark a little more offense for them.

The Cobras kept up the pressure in the second half with many chances to score. There wre a couple flurries of activity right in front of the Litchfield net, but the Cobras couldn't get the ball into the net.

Litchfield tied the game on a quick break. As Josh came out to cut down the angle, the Litchfield player sent in a long high shot well over Josh's head and into the net.

Litchfield seemed to be playing for the tie, knowing full well that the Cobras had outplayed them all day. The Cobras kept trying with shots from Brendan, Timmer, Matt D, Matt S, Nick, Mike and Denton.

With only a minute or so left in the game, Litchfield broke down the field again, taking a stolen pass and getting past a Cobra defender. Josh came out to challenge the player and there was a collision and the ball rolled back towards the net with a couple Cobras desperately chasing it, but it made it into the net, giving Litchfield the game, 1-2.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (2) vs. Timberlane (3)

Timberlane...Division II champs from last Fall and a very tough team to play. But the Cobras are a rebuilt team and were up for the challenge.

Overall, it was a back and forth game, with Timberlane pressuring for a while and then the Cobras pressuring for a while.

Early in the game, Timberlane was on the attack. They notched the first goal on a low shot from the left side that beat Josh at the far post. Before the end of the half they managed another goal, a more solid effort this time.

The Cobras kept up with Timberlane throughout the half with a few good shots, stopped by an very good Timberlane goalkeeper.

In the second half, the Cobras closed the gap after Brendan was taken down very hard from behind and a free kick was given outside the 18-yard box. Brendan took the kick and drilled it into the top corner of the net to make the score 1-2.

Timberlane got an unfortunate lucky goal when a delayed clearance by a Cobra defender rocketed off a Timberlane player and into the net. Josh neither saw nor expected it.

Down 1-3 midway through the second half, the Cobras started playing in a more aggressive manner and were winning the ball more often. The Cobras defense held together very well, with Mike F, Jonathan and Connor in particular keeping Timberlane away from the Cobras net. Vinnie played very well again and kept the team spirits up throughout the second half, urging the boys on.

As the Cobras defense and midfield kept the ball forward, they began to get off more shots. One taken by Brendan was stopped by a diving save from the Timberlane keeper, but he couldn't hold onto the ball and Denton, in exactly the right place, rushed in to knock it into the net. The Cobras were down by 1.

The Cobras kept at it, but were unable to score and the game ended in a 2-3 loss. The Cobras will get their chance again in a rematch against Timberlane in 2 weeks. This is definitely a team they can beat.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (4) vs. Derry (0)

The local reporter was out of town for this game so details are a little sketchy, but the Cobras defeated a strong Derry team 4-0. Perhaps learning a lesson from the Timberlane game, they player very aggressive, passed well and pressured Derry well.

Brendan got the first hat-trick of the year with 2 unassisted goals and one assisted by Timmer and Connor. Mike N scored the other goal with an assist from Jonathan.

It was noted that Nick put in a tireless effort on wing and at forward.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (2) vs. Milford (3)

The Cobras faced the very tough Milford team they saw during the Labor Day tournament.

The Cobras started out controlling the ball and field of play and continued that way through most of the game. The passed well and worked together very well as a team. Despite 3 goals against, Josh was excellent in net and the defense held up very well. Jonathan, Connor, Vinnie, Nate and Mike F worked very well as a team in stopping many of Milford's chances.

The Cobras piled up 14 shots in the first half, many of which were quite good. They held Milford to only 3 shots, but one managed to get into the net. It was an outside shot from the left side that went high over Josh and into the far corner of the net. Well taken by Milford, actually.

Down only 0-1 at the half and outplaying Milford, the Cobras had a solid chance to come back in the second half.

Milford did apply more pressure in the second half and racked up 7 shots while the Cobras took 12 shots.

Milford got 2 more goals, one a rocket from inside the 18-yard box that just blew past Josh.

The Cobras turned up the heat later in the half and finally managed to get the ball into the back of the net when Mike N took the ball up the right side, drew the keeper out, slid past a defender and pushed a soft shot towards the net. A Milford player did all he could to get there to knock the ball out, but Matt D managed to get the ball into the net and the Milford player managed only to entangle himself in the net.

Shortly after that, Matt D pushed a pass up to Connor who was pushing forward from his defensive position and then drilled a chest high shot past the Milford keeper.

With only a couple minutes left, the Cobras continued the pressure and managed a couple more shots, but the game ended - a tough loss.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (1) vs. Timberlane (0)

On a cold, windswept field in Atkinson, with parents freezing on the sidelines, the Cobras were able to hand Timberlane their first defeat of the season today in a very good match.

Similar to their previous meeting, it was an even game with both sides sharing posession and a pretty even number of shots (Cobras 11, Timberlane 15). Josh tallied 10 saves on the day.

Bobby had a stellar game on defense today, playing the entire match and hustling all day. Outstanding hustle and good all around work.

Timberlane started off the shooting with an early high shot from outside on the left on which Josh made a spectacular save. He jumped and managed to tip the ball to keep it out of the net, then caught it before anyone could get to it. It was the save of the game.

Shortly after that, Josh had another good save when he slide out to cover up the ball, causing a Timberlane player to flip right over him.

With the score still 0-0 at the half, both sides came out strong in the second half. Although it was an agressive game, fouls throughout the game were minimal (except the Timberlane yellow card for unsporting conduct).

As the Cobras were pushing the ball into Timberlane's end, Nick managed to get the ball to Mike N in a crowd. Mike sent a short pass to Erik and he sent the ball in for his first goal of the year.

Both sides had a number of chances, but as the cold day began to wear on them, the shots became a little more off target.

Timberlane's best chance of the half came towards the end of the game when they forced Josh out near the top of the 6-yard box and sent a soft looping shot over him towards the net. Connor came out of nowhere to catch up to the ball and blast it high and to the side, denying Timberlane their chance.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (2) vs. MYA (1)

The Cobras first meeting with MYA, a good team one step ahead of the Cobras in the division, was a much needed victory for the Cobras.

The Cobras controlled the ball well in the first have, allowing only 2 shots on net, but tallying 9 for themselves.

The Cobras were plagued by offsides calls for a while during the half, but worked out of that and managed their first goal when Erik sent a pass up to Matt D who sent the ball to Brendan who shot and scored.

The Cobras had a number of good shots from Brendan, Mike N and Erik. Mike N managed a breakaway later in the half and slotted the ball past the MYA keeper to give the Cobras a 2-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Cobras kept up the excellent passing and shooting chances, but were unable to pull off another goal. On one occasion, Erik sent a great back heel kick to Mike N for a shot that was saved by the MYA keeper.

MYA managed one goal in the second half, but the Cobras held on for an excellent 2-1 victory.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (0) vs. Hampstead (1)

In their final game of the Fall 2001 season, the Cobras fell to a very strong Hampstead team 0-1. It was mostly an even contest with many good opportunities for both sides and some spectacular goalkeeping from both sides.

In a scoreless first half, the Cobras managed 2 shots, one from Mike N and one from Erik. Hampstead managed about 5 shots. It was pretty much a 50/50 game, with Hampstead having more of the advantage towards the end of the half.

In the second half the posession swung strongly in both directions. For 10 minutes or so Hampstead would have total control, then the Cobras would take control for 10 minutes or so. The Cobras did manage some very good chances, shots from Mike N, Matt and Timmer as well as a number of free kicks from Brendan, but strong goalkeeping kept the on-target shots out of the net.

On one occasion, Brendan took a corner kick that Nate got to, but his header went just wide of the net.

On another occasion, Brendan led Mike N perfectly for a breakaway. The Hampstead keeper came out, Mike managed to dodge him and send in a slow rolling shot, but it was inches wide of the open net.

With about 15 minutes left in the half, Hampsted had been applying lots of pressure in the Cobras end of the field and one of their players sent in a shot that was deflected just over Josh's head.

The Cobras attempted to mount a comeback, but Hampstead was too strong at the end of the game.

Among Josh's 12 saves today, two were particularly game saving. The first came when a Hampstead player snuck just past the Cobras defense for a breakaway. Josh charged out to the left side of the box and slid right through both the Hampstead and Cobras players, taking the ball right off the foot of the Hampstead player.

The second save came on a break down the right side by a Hampstead player. Josh charged again and cleared the ball off the Hampstead player and out the back for a goal kick. Nice work Josh!