The Marauders overcame all sorts of small challenges and took the advantage of a wide surface to register a 2-0 victory over Manchester Memorial on Thursday. Hanover's second trip in 48 hours went smoothly and efficiently, and the Marauders showed off an impressive offensive arsenal, setting for a businesslike win, their seventh in a row, running their record to 9-1.
Charlie Adams scored the game winner 26 minutes into the match, his 14th of the season. He has scored in seven straight games. He's not scoring to break records, he's scoring to help Hanover win. close games. He spearheaded an attack that outshot Memorial 23-5, and won the corner kick battle 8-0. Eli Stack scored his fourth goal of the year to clinch the game in the 75th minute.
The match started slowly, and stayed mostly at midfield for the first 15 minutes. Adams hit a free kick on frame at 17:00 for Hanover's first shot, and that was a followed shortly by a flurry in front that resulted in Charlie's shot being pushed over the bar for a corner. 23 minutes into the match Blake Palmer sent a great cross in front for Adams, who lofted his sitter over the bar. One of Hanover's positive collective attributes this season has been patience, and it showed. There was no frustration or angst for having mis-spent some good opportunities. Soon enough, patience was rewarded. Dylan Kotlowitz stepped briskly on the right side and found space to play Adams onto the right flank. Charlie languidly found space and time and ripped a shot side netting to give the Marauders the lead.
Hanover's subbing scheme gave the duo of Eli Stack and Henry Aspinwall the next great opportunity with nine minutes left in the half. Stack beat his defender on the right side and sent a cross to the far post, where Aspinwall's deflection hit the upright. While Hanover was sizing up the Memorial goal, the Marauder was choking the Memorial attack before it could get started, limiting them to a sole soft shot on goal.
The Marauders continued to dominate possession and passing in the second half. Adams sent Stack in alone on a breakaway, and then Palmer, whose pressing and positioning were in good form, forced a strong save with a good shot after a steal. Aspinwall checked back into the match and took a sneaky good pass from Adams that set him upon at close range. His shot clanged off the post again! Just a minute later Amane Matsuoka forced a good save with a hard shot out of the corner.
Hanover now has an established rotation of six attackers, and all of them (Adams, Stack, Palmer, Matsuoka, Ringer and Aspinwall) were in form on the same afternoon. It was an impressive display. The Marauders held the ball so long that Memorial was limited to three very long range shots.
Finally, with five minutes to play, Stack got his fourth goal of the campaign when he intercepted a clear and found the goalkeeper far off his line. He hit a cheeky donkey chip more than thirty five yards, and it settled into the back of the net.
Hanover continued to get great defense from Kyle Doucette, Judd Alexander, Noah Pikielny, Kotlowitz, and Evan Nichols in front of Perras, whose second shutout in a row was enabled by great communication and outstanding ball work. Will Blinkhorn made several good tackles to help close things out, and Hanover maintained their hold on second place in Division One, behind rampant Bedford, 5-0 winners over Concord a few exits to the west.
The Marauders now prepare for Timberlane and their Grassroot Soccer Benefit Game on Tuesday.
We're hoping for a good turnout for the CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday. Registration starts at Lebanon's Colburn Park at 12:30, and the Walk begins at 1:00. The 5k walk will end with a delicious lunch in the Congregational church, Please join us!
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