Surging Haledon wins 3 in a row

Not too long ago Haledon 0-30 team opened their Spring round of the 2010-11 season with a crushing loss to the league-leading Kearny Scotts. Moods were sour, future looked grim. But in the span of 3 weeks following the biggest defeat of the season Haledon rebounded in a spectacular fashion, each Sunday accomplishing something more than just a victory: winning a road game, blanking the opponent and extending the streak to season long three wins. 9 collected points helped them to leap-frog Nutley Krank in the standings. Suddenly a third-placed AC Rosso is well within their reach.

Kranked up

Just seven days after their 2:6 meltdown against the Scots Haledon went on a road again to play Nutley Krank, a team they beat… 6:2 in the Fall half of the season. Nutley’s season – much alike Haledon’s - is full of ups and downs, but before the game they firmly sat at spot #4 in the standings with 19 points in 12 games – 6 points ahead of Haledon (in 9 games).

Hungry to avenge their loss from the Fall Nutley began the game with furious attacks and got on the scoreboard after just 15 minutes. “Their center mid blasted one from 20+ yards skimming into the lower left corner. With the wind Vinnie had no chance. That was our wakeup call.” - recounted Doug Shelley, Haledon’s center midfielder. From now on it was all Haledon, who tied the game up before the halftime with Mike Mete scoring his 3^rd of the season. Second period brought more opportunities for Haledon as Shelley hit the woodwork from 25 yards out and they almost scored on a rebound. Later on Fintan Ryan found the back of the net with a brilliant header, but the score was disallowed due to an offside position.

But Haledon were not to be denied. The game winner came as a result of a spectacular combination play between Polish members of the squad. Playing his first game as a Haledonian Sebastian Penk set Paweł Bajon up for his first career goal for the club. The “Polish connection” strike turned out to be a game winner and Haledon finally won a game away from Roe Street Field. In their previous 4 road games they registered 3 losses and a tie, despite scoring twice in each contest. This time a brace was enough to win.

Week 13:
27 March 2011, Towaco, NJ
Nutley Krank – Haledon o-30 1:2 (1:1)
1:1 - Mike Mete (3), 1:2 - Paweł Bajon (1)

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Clean sheet, good win

In their first April game of the 2010-11 season Haledon got their sixth win of the year. That is six more than their opponent, AC Montgomery, which remains as the only winless team in the league. A 3:0 result could have been more impressive, but Haledon squandered a few good opportunities. The goals came from Haledon’s established strikers: Witek, Flores and Shelley, who scored 1/3^rd of the club’s 33 goals this season.

Montgomery was never a threat and Haledon finished the game with their first clean sheet of the season.

Week 14:
3 April 2011, Haledon, NJ
Haledon o-30 – AC Montgomery 3:0
1:0 - Jakub Witek (4), 2:0 - Patrick Flores (2), 3:0 - Doug Shelley (5)

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Blow out in a make up

Since Haledon and SFC 1933 teams are out of the Mel Smith competition both agreed to meet on the cup week to make up a game from last Fall.

It was a one sided affair with Haledon grabbing a lead early and never looking back. Paweł Bajon recorded his first hat-trick in a Haledon uniform. Mete and Witek also continued to find the back of the net. Mete scored his 4^th of the season and Witek already has 3 goals in 4 games this Spring. Last two goals came from David Scott’s inaugural strike of the year and a deflection into the own net.

Third win in a row put Haledon in front of Nutley, who gave Kearny a hard fought battle, but came up just short (0:1). Next week Haledon will go back on the road to face Livingston United, who – after tying both games this Spring (at AC Rosso 3:3 and at home against Denville 2:2) - currently sits 6^th in the standings. Last fall the score was 3:1 in favor of Haledon.

Week 15:
10 April 2011, Haledon, NJ
Haledon o-30 – SFC 1933 7:1
Paweł Bajon 3 (4), Mike Mete (4), Jakub Witek (5), David Scott, own goal.

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Standings after week 15:
1. Kearny Scots 12 31 10-1-1 36:8 +28
2. Mt. Olive Utd 12 29 9-1-2 32:14 +18
3. AC Rosso 12 24 7-2-3 39:21 +18
4. Haledon 12 22 7-4-1 40:31 +9
5. Nutley Krank 14 19 6-7-1 33:27 +6
6. Livingston United 12 15 4-5-3 23:33 -10
7. Denville Derby 11 10 2-5-4 29:34 -5
8. Paramus 10 9 2-5-3 25:37 -12
9. AC Montgomery 12 5 0-7-5 20:36 -16
10. SFC 1933 12 4 1-11-1 14:49 -35

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