Timberlane Deals Marauders a Rare Home Loss, 2-0

The high-riding Marauders hit a speed bump on Tuesday against a hard-working a capable Timberlane team, losing a 2-0 match that featured offensive frustration and some critical defensive missteps. The loss broke a seven-game winning streak and dropped the Marauders to 3rd place in Division One with a 9-2 record.

The game unraveled very quickly for Hanover.  Timberlane got the ball into the Marauder end off  the kickoff, and after earning an early corner they watched an own goal by the Hanover defense hand them a 1-0 lead.  The ball was played to the edge of the Marauder penalty area, and Joey Perras came off his line to play it.  He called for the ball, but his call was late, and Kyle Doucette had already started a move to head the ball. His back header went past Perras and bounced into the vacated goal.  It turned out to be the game winner.

Confident that they had time to tack back the game, the Marauders worked their way back, getting their first shot on goal 10 minutes into the match on a Charlie Adams free kick.  Seven minutes later Adams almost finished Hanover's best chance of the afternoon, a first-timing a hard shot on a cross from Amane Matsuoka that was saved by Timberlane goalkeeper Dimitri Kakouris.  Timberlane was dangerous on the counter throughout the game, and nearly got a second goal on an unmarked far post header that Perras was well-positioned to save.  Kakouris made an even better save on Adams at the 27 minute mark, diving full-out to his right to snare an Adams deflection off a long cross from Dylan Kotlowitz.

Hanover had mustered enough offense in the first half to suggest that they might be able to continue to build momentum in the second.  They had their chances, particularly at the 50 minute mark, when Adams chipped a ball into space for Matsuoka, in alone on goal.  He was unable to muster a shot, and the moment passed.  Two minutes later, Timberlane struck a mortal blow with their second goal, the result of some good work in the Hanover box by big striker Matthew Barney, who survived several attempts to win the ball and found time and space to hit a left footer inside the left post from ten yards to make the score 2-0.  The Marauders did the right thing, and didn't. They had plenty of room to build, with Timberlane content to get numbers behind the ball.  Blake Palmer worked free on the left flank for a hard shot saved on the short side.  Minutes later there was a furious flurry of shots by Palmer and Eli Stack, resulting in a corner. Kyle Doucette got a near post header on goal, but it was saved.

Hanover continued to press, but the clock was their enemy, and the determined Owls, twice losers to Hanover last year, found all the motivation they needed to see the game off.  Full credit to them.
The Marauders will hope to learn from their loss, and will prepare for their Friday trip to Winnacunnet with practices at Dresden then next two afternoons.