Bolton V Menard

[forthoffical]

Here is a game I look forward to enjoying. Not only do both of these teams’ coaches know each other and have a good relationship with each other in a friendly way but many of the players all play on the same clubs teams, I would advise anyone in cenla to come watch this game and see two teams demonstrate good sportsmanship. Yes each player will be trying his best within the rules of the game to win for his team but they will also show respect for their opponent. But most important of all these young men will be out to have some fun which is after all the main reason we play soccer! Good luck to both teams.

[biome22]

haven't heard of bolton but menard has been consistently ranked in the top 10 in D3. Menard wins but that of course depends on the weather

[reccos55]

who cares about this game again??
i know i would never attend a high school soccer game just to witness good sportsmanship...

[burgerhut]

"I would advise anyone in cenla to come watch this game and see two teams demonstrate good sportsmanship."


isn't Menard the team that got in a fight with OC?... that's some good sportsmanship right there

[forthoffical]

Well you have me stumped there. Why indeed would anyone what to see good sportsmanship in cenla?

When I see players that are working hard to:
• Treat opponents with respect.
• Play hard and play within the rules of the game of soccer.
• Demonstrates self control.
• Respects officials and accepts their decisions without gesture or argument.
• Wins without boasting, loses without excuses and never quits.
• Remembers that it is a privilege to represent his/her soccer club and community.

It makes the game really enjoyable to me as a spectator.

Also when I see coachs that can demonstrate:
• they treat their own players, parents, and opponents with respect.
• Teach and inspire soccer players to love the game and to compete fairly.
• Demonstrate by example the type of person he/she wants the players to be.
• Has control and commands discipline at all times.
• Respect the interpretation of rules and judgment of the officials.
• Realize that as a coach he/she is a teacher and therefore understands the game and proper soccer behavior at all times.

I find it doubly enjoyable!

[menardeagles]

burgerhut, were you at the game? OC started the fight, they showed no class from when they first showed up, foul language and no respect toward the officials. Yes, Menard did get in a fight with OC, I am not denying that, but who started the fight? How many of Menard's bench went out there and got in the middle of the melee? There were only three Menard players around, but the whole bench from OC cleared and their coach who had already been carded and told to leave was out there in the middle of it. I am not denying that Menard did not have the best sportsmanship.

[doornobcrusher]

two wrongs dont make a right.

[forthoffical]

I never cease to be amazed how two people can see the same event unfold and then have vary differing opinion on what took place. I think menardeagles above presents the case quite clearly from what I’ve heard.

An acquaintance said on the one hand you had the entire OC team running onto the field including the ball boys from their JV team and a few parents from the spectator side and a dog as well. I also understand that an OC coach who had been issued a Red Card earlier and refused to leave the area of play also ran out on to the field.

As far as Menard goes I was told most of the players on the pitch stayed out of it except for a couple that were only involved to break up the fight. All-the-while the players on the bench and coaches stayed calmly in the technical area. And above all the parents kept calm.

And if not for the entirety of the OC team running on to the pitch the fight could have been quelled by the center and the game continued.

I think that it is unfair to try and brand an entire team on the actions of one or two players

We have several schools in cenla playing soccer and we also have very progressive club soccer. From what I have seen the players in this area over all have great self restraint. And it’s only a rare thing to see such a demonstration as what happened at the OC vs. Menard game a few weeks ago.

When I reach into my moldy wallet looking for $4 to get into one of these games I don’t come looking to see a melee. I come for one reason: to enjoy watching young people having fun, giving their all, playing a hard fought game with in the rules of the game.

[numeroquattro]

i was at the OC menard game and i am certain the fight began with a dirty tackle from behind and the first punch was thrown by a menard player

[burgerhut]

i only saw one person from OC's bench run onto the field... not the whole team and spectators... get your facts straight

[forthoffical]

Well, Burgerhut, I wasn’t there so you’re correct I haven’t got any first hand information. But I’ve heard accounts from more then one person who was there and those accounts more or less agree on the details I provided.

That menardeagles person above sounded like he/she was there and if you read his/her post it seems very genuine and un-embellished and has a ring of truth to it.

But you’re right, I wasn’t there and you were shame on me!

Oh wait a minute you know what? One person I spoke with about what happen at that game said they were standing beside the president (or perhaps past president they weren't sure which) of Acadiana Soccer Assoc engaging him in a friendly conversation when the melee broke out. And that while he didn’t remember this man’s name he remembered he was there to watch his son play keeper for the OC team. And that this fellow was yelling at people on the spectators’ side not to run on to the pitch and to let the officials handle it.

This causes me to wonder why he was yelling at people if no one was moving to run on to the pitch?

As I understand it this fellow whoever he is from Acadiana Soccer Assoc stuck in the person’s mind telling me about it, that he was a real Southern gentleman in the true sense of the word and that he was having none of the nonsense that was going on and was quite embarrassed by it all.

[numeroquattro]

spectators ran on the field after the fight was over to check on their kids but i guess you dont approve of that

[numeroquattro]

and how about you quit trying to make OC sound like a bad team in a thread that isnt even about them..just because they dominated menard doesnt mean you need to look for something to criticize

[forthoffical]

“how about you quit trying to make OC sound like a bad team?”

A good dose of self doubt is often good for the soul. I went back and re-read what I have posted here and I just don’t see where I have tried to cast any dispersion of poor character on the OC team. I just give a go at trying to report the “facts” much like a TV reporter does.

Do you bust their chops every time they report the news? Or get some bits wrong?

Some times I have to depend on other’s eyes and ears (much like a TV reporter does) and mistakes can creep in: I’m not perfect.

And I try to keep poetic licenses to a minimum.

Instead of trying to argue with me why don’t you tell us all about them? Who are they, how do they train, what are their coaches like. What kind of philosophy do they teach, how many years have they played as a team, where will their seniors being heading to college at, etc?

[thatsnotmuch]

im behind numeroquattro and burgerhut.. i saw the "fight" game.. Menard def started it with a trashy foul late in the game, when the game was out of reach, this is a thread about menard and bolton, so keep it to that because menard people cant win a comeback war with an opelousas person after getting embarrased 9-2 to a much better OC team

[forthoffical]

thatsnotmuch,

I think everyone is missing the point here.

First I'm not speaking for Menard. In Fact I’m more of an ASH fan then Menard for the simple fact I know their players better and live in the same area as most of them. Besides Menard people on here and elsewhere have honestly came out and said "yes" they started and if it had been left there the officials would have taken care of it and all this bricking would never have been started.

My point is what happened after. There-in is my only point. And this has nothing to do with any come back on if OC is a better team then Menard.

Live long and prosper and have many soccer playing offspring!

[soccer249]

numeroquattro and bugerhut .. oc is the one who started the fight.. they fouled menard first and the so called dirty foul from menard was not purposely oc did start the fight getting in the menard players face and pushing him and while the menard teamed remained on the bench the oc team cleared and were all out there along with there coach who got a red card.

[soccastyle]

Well, Lets leave the OC issue Behind because it is done and over. Any ways, time to talk about a great game tonight. Bolton V. Menard. This game was almost dead even in the begining. Ball play was good but not great. Passing was penatrive, precise as far as the conditions allowed, and also some shoddy calls both ways. Ball play was even both ways for most of the first half, but at some point bolton started squabaling with one another. Which lead to the first goal. From then on Bolton lost a good bit of steam and play was on one side of the field. Half ended with Menard up 2-0. In the start of the second half menard stayed on the bolton half mainly but eventually Bolton mustered a counter attack that lead to Boltons only goal. As the game drag on both teams tired because of the thick mud that seemed to stop a speeding ball in its tracks, and players. But despite the conditions it worked out to be a great game. Menard won due to a little more team unity and hussle, and Bolton looks to be a good team comming in the next couple years with work on team communication. As far as I can tell bolton has most of the technical skills needed to be a great team, and move the ball well, but just lack the key decisions in the 18. Quite pleased with the play. Not much else to say except a Good Hussle from both teams in nasty weather!

"He said shoot, they said goal, and the deed was finished!"

[forthoffical]

Menard 3, Bolton 1

Tonight’s game between Bolton and Menard was not the best game I’ve ever seen between these two teams who have always had what I would class as a friendly rivalary between them. But it was a very wet and cold game.. Lucky for me I ducked into the press box.

Players on both teams had great difficulty keeping their feet and what normally would have been a clean tackle often turned into an offense because of the mud.

In the first half Menard had real trouble finishing and didn’t score until close to the half. They controlled the ball well in defense and had no trouble penetrating but it took them until the end of never to finish.

In the second half Bolton came out a total different team (one wonders what their coach did to inspire them at the half time break) and they were able to keep possession in Menard’s defensive half for 20 minutes but then Menard got their game back and scored a third goal.

Bolton was able to get a goal in towards the end of the second half and it was a well earned goal, In fact all of tonight goals were made from good advantages that were well played on both sides.

Bolton does have a great striker with excellent foot skills but he is diminished by the fact he tries to carry the whole team.

Over all both set of coaches helped bring us a great game,

The only thing that diminished tonight’s game was one parent keep yelling out players names and telling them they we doing good. I guess he never heard of the rules for being a good spectator.

Rule one: don’t call players by name.
Rule two: encourage the team as an entity
Rule three: encourage the opponents’ team when they do well also

[soccer249]

forthoffical.. nothing bad to you but the last part of what you said yes the fan was yelling the entire game but he wasnt talking to only one player and i believe he was cheering for bolton also.. telling them good job and nice kick when needed
good review on the game...