2018 ISL Match Report
Date:  9/29/2018
Home Team:  Milton Academy
Away Team:   Middlesex
Score (H-A):  0-1
Goals (Assists)-         Home:             None
                                    Away:              #10 Josh Quirk (56', assist #17 Anyolo Makatiani)
Goalkeeping-            Home:             Ryan Manning (90', 1 GA)
                                    Away:              Kenyon Pelletier (45', 0 GA)
                                                            Alfonso De Vito (45', 0 GA)
Cardings-                  Home:             #16 David Walley (88', yellow)
                                    Away:              #2 Justin D'Alessandro (49', yellow)

Notes:            
            Milton Academy hosted Middlesex on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in a rematch of an entertaining ISL Showcase match-up from the year before.  This contest was no disappointment to those who came to see a high-level, competitive ISL match that could go either way.  Early on, it looked like Milton might jump ahead, as the outside of the post was the only thing keeping a Galen Lewis solo effort from putting Milton ahead.  Nasib McDonald was also inches away from a finishing chance that was denied by an onrushing Kenyon Pelletier.  Middlesex also had their chances in the first half, but Ryan Manning and the central duo of David Walley and Beck Kendig were rock solid.  The halftime whistle came with Milton feeling plenty of energy and optimism thanks to the counterattacking threat of Lewis and Aidan Farwell, but the score was knotted at 0-0.  
            Just four minutes into the second half Justin D'Alessandro was cautioned for a late challenge on the surging Lewis, but shortly afterwards Middlesex created a strong scoring chance.  Josh Quirk found himself in space behind the Milton back line, but as he paused to cut against the grain, Cole Ehret made a crucial tackle for the Mustangs.  That chance was a portend of the match's turning point, as Anyolo Makatiani slipped a well-weighted ball between the two center backs for an onrushing Josh Quirk in the 56^th minute.  Quirk picked up on the chance and made no mistake in taking a setup touch and slotting the ball past the onrushing keeper for the 1-0 lead.  With 34 minutes left in the match, there was a lot of excitement still to come, as Jeremy Verley, Lewis, McDonald, and Farwell consistently put pressure on the Middlesex backline.  However, the stout defending of Justin Krayer and Justin D'Alessandro, along with the midfield combination of Haydn Herrema and Kwabena Kwakwa provided just enough relief from pressure and the ability to keep the ball in transition.  Kenyon Pelletier and Alfonso De Vito combined for the shutout for Middlesex, and the final whistle came as a great relief to the visitors.  Milton was constantly dangerous, and had quality all over the field.  The luck could have gone either way, but Quirk's aplomb in the box was the difference on the day.