Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (0) vs. Hampstead (5)

The Cobras had a very hard time with Hampstead today. Hampstead came out with excellent passing that produced many scoring chances for them. Were it not for some good heads-up goalkeeping by Josh H, the score would have been greater in Hampstead's favor.

Hampstead got on the board early with a long, high shot from the top of the 18-yard box that went over Josh's head into the top corner of the net.

The Cobras were doing a little too much ball chasing which left them out of position at times and seemed to tire them out. Hampstead kept their shape very well and had one large and very fast defender that the Cobras had a very difficult time getting past.

The first half did see action at both ends of the field with Timmer and Matt both getting off good shots that missed by inches. In both cases they had the keeper beat.

Down only 0-1 at the half, the Cobras looked to come back in the second half, but Hampstead turned up the heat. Their next goal came when a Hampstead player got past the Cobras defense, leaving Josh no choice but to come out and challenge the player. The Hampstead forward sent the ball over Josh's head to the far side of the net.

Hampstead's 3rd goal was very nicely made. A pass went to a well marked Hampstead player in the center of the 18-yard box and he just one-touched a volley over the defender and over Josh. There was no defensive lapse here, just good play on the part of Hampstead.

The Cobras opted for a keeper substitution and replaced Josh with Erik. With the game being played mainly in the Cobras end of the field, Erik was going to be tested.

The Cobras continued to struggle to get the ball into Hampstead's end of the field and they did make a couple runs down the field, but couldn't get off a shot in the second half.

After a number of high and wide shots, Hampstead managed a 4th goal on an outside shot much like their first goal than went over Erik's head into the top right corner of the net.

Erik had a couple good saves, but couldn't stop the final attack by Hampstead. A flurry of activity in front of the net resulted in a shot, well deflected by a defender, but back to a Hampstead player who drilled the rebound past Erik, ending the game at 0-5 in favor of Hampstead.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (1) vs. Timberlane (1)

Timberlane...a nemesis from the Fall. The Cobras were in much better form today, ready to take it to Timberlane and fought hard for a 1-1 tie. And no one fought more than Mike did on defense. This was, without a doubt, Mike's finest game.

Timberlane's first shooting chance found Josh out of the net, having gone after the player with the ball. A slow rolling shot came in and Mike was there to clear it off the line to save the goal.

Much of the first half was back and forth, but Timberlane had the better of the chances with 9 shots and Josh making 6 saves. The Cobras managed 2 shots in the first half, but without result.

Timberlane managed at least 4 corner kicks in the first half, most of which were excellent kicks and very dangerous for the Cobras. Good defense and goalkeeping kept the ball out of the Cobras net.

Mike broke up a number of good Timberlane chances in the first half with some excellent defensive play.

When the second half began, Timberlane had an early corner kick that was expertly plucked out of the air by Josh who made 8 more saves this half.

Shortly after that, still early in the half, the Cobras managed another break with Matt making the onside run and Jonathan bringing up the ball. Jonathan sent a perfect leading pass to Matt who made the right call in shooting before the keeper got out of his net too far. Matt's shot hit the inside of the far post and went into the net to put the Cobras up 1-0.

This goal sparked the Cobras a little and they piled on a few more good shot chances. Timmer drilled in a bouncing ball, but it went high. The Cobras kept up a the pressure for a few minues with Tyler and Matt each getting shots off, but the Timberlane keeper was there to make the stops.

Timberlane managed a controversial goal on a close shot that Josh couldn't quite handle (he got his hand kicked on the play which released the ball - and he suffered a broken finger as a result of this play). The rebound was pushed toward the net and Mike came screaming across, making an fantastic sliding kick save, but the referee ruled the ball had crossed into the net. This tied the game.

Jonathan kept up the hustle throughout the game, making a number of long runs up the field chasing leading passes, but there wasn't always enough support to help him past the swarming Timberlane defense.

The remainder of play was often in the Cobras end of the field, but they did a fine job keeping the ball out of the net. The Cobras managed 6 additional shots in the second half, but could not finish and the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (6) vs. Hampstead (3)

This game was against the Hampstead B team (the one at our level). The Cobras put in a good showing with some nice passing. They've shown improvement in each game this season and finished very well today.

Because of a broken hand suffered in the last game, Josh H has been forced to relinquish his goalkeeping duties to Erik for the remainder of the season. We'll definitely miss Josh in net (he's been playing fantastic), but we know Erik will do his best as Josh's replacement.

Hampstead got on the board first after a slight miscue left a Hampstead forward free against Erik. A well placed shot to the far post put Hampstead up 0-1.

The Cobras came back on a nice cross from the left side of the 18-yard box by Timmer was nicely headed past the Hampstead keeper by Matt.

Shortly after that, Matt sent in a cross of his own from the right side which Jonathan headed toward the goal. The shot was stopped by the Hampstead keeper, but he couldn't control it and Tyler was there to punch it in, putting the Cobras up 2-1.

Towards the end of the first half, a little defensive miscue left another Hampstead forward alone on the right side against Erik. The shot to the far post tied the score at 2-2 for the half.

The Cobras all but owned the second half, pressuring Hampstead constantly. The Cobras had a couple near miss shots, including one very selfless play by Tyler. He had the ball at the edge of the 6-yard box with the keeper coming out and opted for a good pass to a more open Matt who sent his shot just wide.

Hampstead went on top 2-3 on a shot from the center that Erik dove for but it got past him.

From here on out it was all Cobras. Keith took a throw in from the left side in Hampstead's end. The throw went to Timmer who made a good quick pass to Josh R at the top of the 18-yard box. Josh R sent a long high shot over the Hampstead keeper to tie the game at 3 each.

Shortly after that, Keith sent a nice pass to Timmer who ripped off a shot from the center of the 18-yard box. It deflected off a defender (who had a sore arm after that shot), away from the Hampstead keeper and into the back of the net to put the Cobras up 4-3.

On the next run down the field, Matt took the ball down the right side, behind the defenders, curling towards the net. He saw Timmer in the middle and sent in a nice cross that Timmer headed off the post and into the net. There was a bit of confusion when the players thought the keeper had stopped the shot, but it did cross the line. Cobras up 5-3.

To finish off the game, Tyler and Matt hooked up. Tyler passed to Matt in the middle and he chipped it over the keeper to set the final score at 6-3.

Good 2 goal/2 assist games from both Matt and Timmer. Also an excellent defensive outing for Imad, solid midfield performance from Nick and good play from Nate and Keith.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (2) vs. Seacoast (3)

The Cobras faced Seacoast and lost a close one 2-3. It was a game of missed opportunities for both sides with the Cobras tallying 9 shots and Seacoast putting up 17. Seacoast was misfiring quite a bit, with only 8 of their 17 shots on net.

Seacoast started the game in the Cobras end of the field with a break by one of their forwards. Erik was forced to come out to challenge the player and did an excellent job of stopping the ball with a slide to prevent a good shot.

Seacoast did get on the board first. One of their forwards dribbled past a few of the Cobras up the left side and took a good shot that got past Erik.

The Cobras had a couple chances of their own, with one particular flurry coming in the late part of the first half. From around the 6-yard box a number of players were getting off shots, saved by the Seacoast keeper and defenders.

Nick was taken down with a body check in the penalty area, giving Timmer a chance to tie the score with a Penalty Kick, but the Seacoast player made a good save on the shot.

Seacoast managed another goal to go up 0-2 at the half.

The Cobras got one of their own early in the second half. Nick took the ball up the right side, around a defender and along the end line. Drawing the Seacoast keeper and defenders towards him, he managed a last second pass across the face of the net that Jonathan just got a hold of on the far side and popped into the open net.

Seacoast went up 1-3 when they scooted past the Cobras defense on the left side and drilled a shot past Erik to the far post.

The Cobras came back with another goal. Timmer did an excellent job a couple times in a row of getting the ball up the left side and getting nice crosses in. On the last one, he found Matt and Nick in the box. Matt's shot was saved and Nick put the rebound in to make the score 2-3.

The Cobras had one final chance to tie the game when Matt and Jonathan broke through the solid Seacoast defense. Matt's shot from the top of the 18-yard box had the keeper beaten and appeared to be going in, but bounced of the left post. No one followed up the shot and the keeper had time to get up from his dive, recover the ball and clear it.

Memorial Day Tournament
Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (2) vs. Bedford (4)

A number of Cobras were unable to attend the tournament so 4 guest players were invited to fill the positions. This was a good thing because the Cobras would have had no subs for the first game and been down 2 players for the second game. Nick A, Josh P, Steven and Jason put in excellent efforts as guest players, contributing enormously to the team.

Bedford is the toughest team in this division for the tournament, and a team the Cobras will face in 2 weeks in a regular season game.

The boys played very well, taking the attack to Bedford throughout the game and getting off 8 shots.

Bedford scored first on a defensive miscue that left a Bedford forward (probably the best player on the team) alone against Erik in net. Erik charged and managed to get a foot on the shot, deflecting it up and back, but not quite high enough to keep it out of the net. Excellent effort though.

There was a lot of back and forth on the field until the very end of the half when Bedford struck again twice. Once was on a series of well placed passes in front of the net that no one touched, with the final Bedford touch putting the ball in the back of the Cobras net.

Bedford's third goal was a near post shot that got past Erik.

Down 0-3 at the start of the second half, the Cobras had some catching up to do. But Bedford notched another goal early in the second half on a great cross to a completely unmarked Bedford player at the far post. Easy goal for Bedford.

Down 0-4, the Cobras starting pushing hard. They managed their first goal on a Cross from Timmer that the Bedford keeper couldn't handle and Steven (after a collision with the keeper) was there to knock in.

Nick A came up big with the Cobras second goal...an unassisted shot from the left side.

The game ended with the Cobras down 2-4, but against a very strong team which made this an excellent showing for the boys. Erik managed 6 saves on 12 shots from Bedford.

Memorial Day Tournament
Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (2) vs. Timberlane (1)

The Cobras second full game of the day found them tired (perhaps a little too much lunch for a few of the boys?). Although they weren't at peak form, they managed a good win against a Timberlane team with one phenominal defender who was all but impossible to get past.

Josh H, Josh R and Josh P all played very well in this game.

Although the Cobras outplayed Timberlane in the first half, they couldn't find the back of the net and the half ended in a 0-0 draw.

Timberlane started pressuring well in the second half and got on the board first with a dribbler cross that Erik appeared to be allowing to go over the end line, not knowing that an unmarked Timberlane player was waiting to knock it in the near post.

Keith notched his first goal of the year on a fantastic shot off a cross from Josh P to beat the Timberlane keeper at the far post. It was a very well placed shot.

With the score tied 1-1 and little time left in the game and the Cobras needing a win to keep their hopes of advancing to the finals alive, Timmer managed to beat the unbeatable Timberlane defender after taking a well placed long pass from Josh P (his second assist of the game) and getting a 1-on-1 against the Timberlane keeper. Timmer kept his head about him and calmly sent the ball past the charging Timberlane keeper.

The Cobras endured a couple final rushes from Timberlane to get the 2-1 win.

Erik had 5 saves on 8 shots, including a fantastic save in the waning minutes of the game in a 1-on-1 with a Timberlane forward that helped ensure the Cobras victory.

Memorial Day Tournament
Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (0) vs. Agawam (3)

The Cobras final game of the tournament was against Agawam, a very strong team, probably stronger than Bedford (the expected Bedford/Agawam matchup in the finals should make for an excellent soccer game).

Agawam mostly outplayed the Cobras, tallying 3 goals in the game. The Cobras did have a few fine moments on both offense and defense, but Agawam caught every mistake made by the Cobras and pushed the ball back into the Cobras end.

The Cobras did get off a few shots and spent a bit of time in the Agawam end of the field in the second half.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras () vs. Timberlane ()

Game was cancelled due to heavy rain.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (1) vs. Bedford (6)

There's no denying that Bedford has one of the best teams around. They showed it today. Erik saw 15 shots in the first half, with only 1 going wide. Of those on net, 6 went in, some a little too easily. Bedford's passing was first rate.

The Cobras were unable to get the ball into Bedford's end for more than a couple seconds at a time. The Bedford players were much quicker and faster than the Cobras.

WIth a 0-6 deficit to deal with in the second half, the Cobras did what they could. Bedford replaced their keeper and moved their forwards to defense and their defenders to forward.

Jonathan replaced Erik in net and did an excellent job, playing aggressively and making good saves. He faced 10 shots, 5 on net and 5 wide.

The Cobras were able to spend a little more time in Bedford's end of the field in the second half, enough to get off 3 shots (2 on net) with the last one of those from Josh R beating the Bedford keeper at the far post.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (1) vs. Pelham (4)

On a very hot, sunny day the Cobras were looking tired. A number of the boys had already played in a game in the morning and it seemed to get to them.

Pelham was a stronger team than their record showed and they played well. But the Cobras got on the board first when Matt was taken down in the penalty area a few minutes into the game. Josh R converted the penalty kick to put the Cobras up 1-0.

Pelham came back with an interesting goal. A long cross from the right side went over Josh's head and was headed up by a Pelham player. It bounced off the crossbar and down, but Josh couldn't get back in time for the Pelham player to walk it into the net.

The second Pelham goal came on an excellent leading pass from one of their midfielders to a running forward who split the Cobras defenders for a 1-on-1 against Josh. Josh rushed out to cut down the angle, but could not stop the shot.

In the second half the Cobras hoped for a comeback, but their tiredness was showing. Pelham managed 2 more goals to put them up 1-4.

The Cobras had a couple chances, but couldn't find the back of the net.

Game Summary for

Nashua Cobras (6) vs. Hampstead (2)

The final game of the regular season, a make-up for the many games cancelled this year, saw the Cobras face the one team they defeated earlier in the season, the Hampstead MF team.

The Cobras dominated the game and piled up 20 shots versus the 9 for Hampstead, but they did have trouble finishing in the first half.

The Cobras first goal came when Josh R sent a long pass up to Dante who quickly fed Matt streaking toward the Hampstead goal. Matt slotted the ball past the keeper and the Cobras were up 1-0.

The half ended with the score at 1-0, a precarious position for the Cobras even though they outplayed Hampstead. They would need to improve their finishing if they wanted another win.

In the second half, Erik sent in a well placed corner kick that Matt stuffed in the net for his second of the game.

With the Cobras up 2-0, Hampstead struck in a suprising way with a very long kick that went over everyone, including Josh who was caught off guard and well off his line. The ball hit the crossbar, bounced up and landed in front of the net. It's spin was such that it rolled into the net on it's own.

The Cobras kept up the good play and kept the pressure in the Hampstead end much of the time. On one of many pushes forward, Tyler took the ball up the right side and sent in a low cross to Timmer at the far post and he easily beat the keeper with a one touch shot to put the Cobras up 3-1.

Hampstead wasn't done yet though as they managed to score on a corner kick to reduce the Cobras lead to 3-2.

Matt set up the next goal with one of his many crossing chances. He sent the ball in and Nick stuffed it past the Hampstead keeper to put the Cobras up 4-2.

For the next Cobras goal, Nate set up Nick nicely for his second of the game.

With Matt and Nick both looking for a hat-trick goal, Nick found his on a cross from Timmer in the last seconds of the game that made the final score 6-2.

Josh had a solid game in net making 7 stops on 9 shots.