The Marauders earned a signature win against a determined Timberlane team on Tuesday, winning for the first time ever in Plaistow on Charlie Adams' header in overtime, a golden goal that gave Hanover a 2-1 victory in the pouring rain. Now 8-3 on the season the Marauders are in sole possession of fourth place in the Division One standings, and in control of their own destiny as they seek a precious top-four finish, which would ensure a home game in the second round of the playoffs.
Hanover had to overcome a number of distractions before and during the game, and demonstrated poise and composure when it was needed the most. Arriving late and dribbling onto the field due to their Dunkirk-like trip from Hanover, the Marauders had a truncated warmup. They ignored both this and the steady rain, and later shrugged off the angst of losing the lead on a dubious decision, as well as some aggressive play by a Timberlane team with little to lose.
Once the game got underway, it took little time for Hanover to assert a significant territorial edge. Keeping the ball in the Timberlane end had a few down sides, however. The Owls were able to counter attack effectively with long balls to frontrunner Cameron Ross, and the threatened twice in the first ten minutes. Marauder keeper Hans Williams made his first touch of the game a good one five minutes into the match, diving full-out to punch away a centering pass. Five minutes later, Williams was challenged again when a weak back pass to him created a dangerous fifty-fifty ball, and both Willams and Ross went tumbling to the turf in their mutual bid for the ball.
Liam Collins was leading the charge for Hanover, probing for opportunities at the edge of the box, and looking to penetrate as well. He hit a free kick into the stomach of Owl keeper Connor Newman, and was just wide with another attempt from the edge of the box. Charlie Adams was harried by a man-marker, but was reassured by Coach Grabill, who promised him he would find room before the match was done. David Stoffel and Eli Stack both had good bids off the bench as the first half wound down. Stoffel's far post header was parried away with a desperate dive by Newman, who parried the bod just wide of the post. Stack got loose deep in the Timberlane box, but his bad angle attempt didn't find the mark. Collins got a great feed from Adams for a clear shot in the late going, but his shot rolled just wide of the post.
Timberlane had the last good chance of the first half, when Ross once again got loose on a led pass into the box, but Williams was once against equal to the task, sprinting off his line and flinging himself into the mud at the speeding striker's feet, smothering the ball and offering no rebound. It didn't count as a save, but it was absolutely dope.
Hanover was assured that their patience would pay off after halftime, and only five minutes after the interval Adams had the best chance of the day, hitting a shot from the 18 that required an amazing dive form Newman to push the ball wide of the post. Two minutes later the Marauders seized the lead when Christo Dragnev deflected a centering pass from Collins, watching it creep over the goal line with the speed of the Z-line finishing their warmups.
Both teams rejoined the fray with renewed energy, and both teams had chances. Collins hit a free kick over the bar for Hanover, and Ross responded with a free kick of his own that also sailed over the Hanover goal. Nearly midway through the second half, Timberlane was awarded three consecutive free kicks at the edge of the Hanover penalty area. The first direct kick was blocked by the Hanover wall. The second, an indirect kick awarded for the arcane and marginal infraction of having William's foot land outside of the box on the follow-through of his punt, was also blocked. But wait. A re-kick was awarded because a Hanover defender had started toward the ball. Never mind that it had no impact on the kick which had been taken. Third time was the charm, and Ross took a short pass from Ryan Boggiatto and put it past Williams to tie the game.
Hanover stayed composed despite the opportunity to lose their focus. They maintained their edge in play, but were unable to regain the lead, or even come that close. Perhaps they knew that there would be as many as 20 minutes of bonus soccer awaiting. Regulation ended, the rain continued to pour, and the light began to fade. It was classic autumn soccer weather. The Marauders took a few minutes to make a few adjustments, such as reminding Blake Palmer the importance fo playing wide on the left side. That's a fact. We have witnesses.
The first sudden death overtime period started, and after a minute of play the Marauders took possession in their end and a ball was played to Christo Dragnev at the top of the Timberlane box.
Dragnev maintained his footing and kept possession, and fed the ball to Palmer on the flank, who took a touch past his defender and hit a cross from deep in the corner. Film study will have to reveal Adams' path to the ball, and the degree of his gifted anticipation, but there he was at the far post, getting his head on the ball and floating a header that found its way inside the far post. It was his 14th goal of the season, his second overtime game-winner, and another moment of genius that rewarded all of his hard-working mates for their diligence and maturity.
The next two days, rain or shine, will be on the beloved turf of Merriman Branch field, the home ground so sought after for postseason. Two training days beckon, and then an evening home match against a surprisingly strong Winnacunnet team that has won five of their last six games, and will host Merrimack on Wednesday. Each game in October has a life of its own. The Marauders are inching towards another opportunity to do something special.
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