Wonderful Will blows Boca away

WILL UFLAND smashed home a hat-trick to inspire Norstar C to their fifth win of the season at the expense of wooden spoon favourites Boca at the North West Arena.

Norstar C were very relieved at the end of the game as a below par performance just about got them through against Boca. Perhaps over confident after recording the biggest victory in Norstar’s history in the home fixture, Norstar looked lacklustre on a horribly rainy morning in Uxbridge.

The Oranges made a few changes from their previous game and managerial duo Zack Gothelf and David Domb were hoping for another strong performance as they had seen against Oakwood B. However, Norstar’s good passing football only came out in glimpses.

Going into this match there was a big feeling of retribution in the air surrounding the Boca changing room. The last time these two sides met Boca stopped playing after 60 minutes and Norstar went on to win by 8-1.

Jamie Weinrich's men have found it tough again this season, but this was a game that was well within their reach. With the well publicised star keeper Ryan Monk unavailable, most neutrals would expect the floodgates to open. But this wasn't to be, stand-in goalkeeper Ricky Zeiderman put in an outstanding performance that even the great Ryan Monk would have been proud of.

Boca started well, with star centre back Parys Hammond, controlling the game from the back, and Jamie Weinrich causing the Norstar defence all sorts of problems. At 0-0 Boca went close with Weinrich attempting a snap-shot from the edge of the area, which the keeper saved with the help of his crossbar.

However, Norstar broke Boca down after 20 minutes when an excellent cross from the impressive Jonny Samuel was put into the net by Ufland, rewarding his managerial team’s to start him over top scorer Nick Haringman, with his first Norstar goal.

One became two a minute later and the scorer was Ufland again. Good play on the wing by Luke Goldsmith, who was a threat all day, set up Ufland who beat the keeper from close range.

Norstar looked to be cruising and had the opportunity to put the game to bed long before half time, but Boca did not roll over and they got themselves back in the game minutes later. Paul Frangi's free-kick reached player-manager Jamie Weinrich who had no difficulty in scooping the ball over the keeper and into the net. That was Weinrich's fourth goal in four games and he will be hoping this personal run of his can continue.

Norstar looked rocked by that goal and although they looked threatening when they went forward, they weren’t able to add to their lead by half time.

Zeiderman was called into action on 2 or 3 occasions and he did brilliantly each time. Weinrich came close to making it 2-2 after being put through again by Frangi but he just dragged his shot across the keeper inches wide.

Some strong words from Gothelf at half time and acknowledgment by the team that they can play a lot better than they did saw Norstar look to secure the three points.

Boca must have had around 10 corners during the game and each one could have been finished off with the marauding Hammond deserate for his first Boca goal. Zeiderman kept Boca in the game at times making one superb save with the Norstar striker in at him one-on-one. Although Boca showed improvements with their fitness and concentration there was no creativity or ability to find the dangerous Weinrich and there only seemed to be one outcome here.

However, they were left frustrated as they couldn’t find another decisive goal until stoppage time when Norstar were awarded a penalty after a clumsy challenge by Boca sub Chandler Monk in the box. Ufland stepped up and scored to make it Boca 1 Norstar (and Ufland) 3.

Norstar boss Zack Gothelf told JC Sport: "Although disappointed with the performance, a vital three points and the job was done. Norstar will continue to battle and look to pick up points in the remaining games of the season and finish well in their debut year."

Boca player-manager Jamie Weinrich told JC Sport: "It isn't often with Boca I leave feeling aggrieved by a result, however today we should taken something from this game.

"Parys was a rock for us again at the back and should have had a goal to his name. Special mention has to go out to Ricky in goal; he deputised for Ryan Monk superbly and reminded me of Hugo Lloris at times.

"We will continue to fight for that elusive second win of the season and I can see the boys hunger increase knowing I am already thinking about next season and the improvements we need to our squad if we are to challenge."