League openers for Spartans, Juggernauts
The St. Marys Men’s Soccer Club will kick off the 2008 Western Ontario Men’s Soccer League season with home games this coming weekend.
The newly-formed Third Division Spartans will host expected league challenging contenders St. Columban Saturday at Meadowridge field at 5 p.m.
The Juggernauts will start their Second Division campaign, hosting London Hispanos Sunday at Meadowridge at 5 p.m.
St. Marys Spartans’ preview
Spartans are a team which will be used to develop players for the Juggernauts. The team will allow Juggernauts to field a smaller squad, which will give players on both teams the required game time needed to develop skills in actual game conditions.
“We had a large team last year and found it difficult to provide the playing time for all the players which obviously hinders development so this year we expect both teams will be deeper in strength due to the addition of the Spartans,” coach Gord Moylan explained.
Spartans are fielding a team of players ranging from young rookies to players looking to get back in the game to seasoned veterans. The offence
will have to find some goal-scoring to have a successful season.
The majority of goals will come from Juggernaut players and most of these
will be from the midfielders. With the team just starting, goal-scoring will
be the most difficult area to jell for the team so they do expect putting
the ball in the net to be difficult.
The defence is expected to be Spartans’ strong area and the team does have a
seasoned keeper in Wim Snoek as the last line of defence.
Snoek will be under a lot of pressure, however, his experience and coaching
ability will be a very strong asset for the Spartans. Having a veteran of
his quality will certainly be rewarding to the young new players in
assisting in their development.
Spartans will be coached by Gord Moylan, who has a long history and
experience in the game. Moylan expects the team to compete each week and is
looking for the younger players to develop and to see some of them getting
some game time with the parent club, the Juggernauts.
“Spartans will certainly play competitive and the boys will have their team
character challenged, but if they continue to train and grow as a team I
believe by the end of the season we will have a solid base to move forward
on,” Moylan added.
“We are also affiliating with the St. Marys Under-16 boys team. They will
train with us at least once a week and we will use this as a springboard for
the U-16 to compete for positions on the team next year so overall an
ambitious program.”
St. Marys Juggernauts’ preview
Juggernauts will not post their record from last season, however, they do
expect to compete for one of the two top positions, which allows a team to
be promoted to the First Division.
New, but really former players returning to the squad and providing the
needed boost in team play are: Derek Hartman, Edwin Mena, Angus Moylan and
Brent Smale. A new addition is Sam Seddon.
“The step from Third to Second Division is huge, and the quality of play
overall will be superior to last year. Juggernauts will not have any easy
games. The team has all the pieces to win the league,” coach John Flanagan
commented.
“We have a very strong roster of players and lots of depth with the
Spartans. With the earlier than usual start to the pre-season with several
exhibition games and a tournament, we expect to be firing on all cylinders
early in the campaign.”
The offence will be sparked by last year’s team leading scorer Kevin
Thompson, who can expect to be partnered with Korey Graham, Darryl Thompson,
Edwin Mena and Stephen Treadway.
All the strikers can play other positions and each game will present
obstacles, but there are numerous options for the squad to use as all the
striker have various areas of ability that they can deploy to break down the
opposition.
Moylan returns to midfield
The offence will be supported by a rejuvenated midfield. The team welcomes
the return of Angus Moylan, who brings back his creative hard-working style
of play to the Juggernauts.
Early indications are the combination of Moylan with James Flanagan, Mike
Luna, Trevor Voyce and Mike Weersink will spring the forwards and outside
fullbacks Sam Seddon and Tyler Orchard on the opposition.
“It is critical we have midfielders who are physically and mentally tough,
with the vision and excellent ball control to unlock the opposing defences.
Seddon is another addition to the team who will bring the team speed up a
notch.
“Sam is a very fast player and will certainly help us defensively, but we
look to Sam and fellow outside fullbacks Tyler Orchard, Evan Doupe and Derek
Hartman to contribute hugely in wreaking havoc deep in the opposition end of
the field.
The defence, which has been the team’s backbone, will be considerably
stronger with the return of central midfielders Brent Smale and Derek
Hartman. Both players are very smart players who read the game and opposing
strikers very well, and combined with sweeper Harm Vosters the back line
looks the best the team has ever fielded.
Stuart consistent keeper
The last line of defence is last year’s top keeper John Stuart. Stuart has
played a lot of exhibition games and is rounding into top form to again give
Juggernauts the edge in close games when a goal can make all the difference.
“His role is very important as he provides us with the solid consistent shot
stopping over the years that has been a huge bonus for the Juggernauts.
Stuart has very good communication with his back line and this will become
so vital this year as the opposition will be stronger, smarter, quicker and
more fearless than teams we faced last season.”
New assistant coach
Coaches Moylan and Flanagan have a new assistant this year in Chris Folkes.
Folkes certainly enjoys the game and he will work with the team to gain
knowledge and assist in developing the younger players.
“We certainly need to add some depth in the area of coaching. Both John and
I will find it difficult to make all the commitments, so to have Chris step
up and help us is a plus,” coach Moylan summed up.
4-4-2 system
The tactics the Spartans and Juggernauts will play is a 4-4-2; four
defenders, four midfielders and two strikers. Both teams will advocate
attacking football and will play a pressing style, meaning the players will
pressure the ball to get the opposition to rush the play and hopefully make
errors.
This style of play requires the team to a have a higher level of fitness.
Coach Moylan has had a busy pre-season with the Spartans and with the new
team it is difficult to evaluate the upcoming season until all the pieces
are in place and the team gets a few games under its belt.
Coach Flanagan expects improved play from the Juggernauts with the speed the
team has at its the wide positions. “Last season we had quantity, this year
we have the quality.”
The team is still recruiting for two to three players, so if anyone is still
interested it is not too late to contact the team.
Contacts: Please advise by contacting either; John Flanagan (284-3234), Gord
Moylan (284-1318) or email; stmarysjuggernauts@hotmail.com.