2021 ISL Match Report
Date:  10/9/2021
Home Team:              Middlesex
Away Team:              Brooks
Score (H-A):             0-2
Goals (Assists)-        Home:             NONE                      
                                    Away:             #6 Harry Bertos (64', Assist #7 Christian Bejar)
                                                            #11 Jack Brown (88', Assist #9 Kyle Joyce)         
Goalkeeping-             Home:            Aidan George (90', 2 GA)
                                    Away:            JJ Calareso (90', 0 GA)
Cardings-                   Home:             #21 Teddy Fritzinger (Yellow)
                                    Away:             NONE
Notes:            
Middlesex hosted an athletic, direct, and very talented Brooks team on a clear day in early October.  After sustaining pressure for the first ten minutes from Brooks, Middlesex shifted tactics and slowly figured the game out.  The remainder of the first half saw the play and the chances even out for both sides.  The 0-0 halftime score set the stage for a tense and competitive second half.  Middlesex had their best chance of the match when Yared McDonald beat his marker at half field and played a one-two combination that sent him into the penalty area.  When McDonald cut back he saw Julian Paton open on the left side for a shot with the near post gaping in front of him, but a Brooks defender got a toe to the shot and deflected it wide of the net for a corner kick,  The deadlock was broken just six minutes later, as a corner kick was cleared by Middlesex right back to the taker, Christian Bejar, who eluded the lunging left back and whipped a left footed in-swinger from the right corner to the back post for an unmarked Alex Bertos to head home comfortably.  The game stayed the same for the remainder of the match until Brooks hit a hopeful long ball from the right touchline that traveled over 40 yards in the air to reach the top of the Middlesex penalty area.  Keeper Aidan George came charging of his line a bit late and misjudged the approaching attacker, Jack Brown, who slipped behind the left center back and flicked the ball over the keeper's hands, and it bounced into the unprotected net from 12 yards out.  The second goal in the 88^th minute put a disheartening finish to a close match, but the Middlesex boys are proud of the effort and interconnectedness that they displayed against one of the better teams in the region this day.  Middlesex only allowed four shots on goal over the course of ninety minutes, which is a solid effort against the potent Brooks attack who has averaged close to six goals per game.  Brooks deserved the points, though, for their grit and determination to find the back of the net.