Prep soccer -- CBA midfield steps up

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 2, 2004 1:57 PM

• Print
• Email

PIKEVILLE -- Missing in action.

Charles B. Aycock assistant boys soccer coach Byron Adkins applied that phrase to the team's center midfield play, and wondered when it would surface again.

He got his answer Wednesday evening against Greene Central.

The Golden Falcon midfield played a solid possession game and controlled the tempo against the Rams. Taylor Beamon and Danny Derwitz orchestrated numerous scoring opportunities for forwards Garrett Davis and Jorge Delgado, and the two didn't disappoint Adkins.

Davis collected a hat trick (three goals) and dished out a career-best three assists, while Delgado tallied four goals in a 7-0 victory on the Hardy Talton Stadium pitch. Aycock (5-1) remained unbeaten at home and swept the regular-season series against the Rams.

After a difficult showing seven days ago against North Johnston, Adkins organized several hard practices where the players worked on controlling loose balls and properly organizing attacks from the backfield. Once they achieved those goals, their next step involved consistent distribution from the midfield -- something they've lacked the last 240 minutes of play.

"We had a 'come-to-Jesus meeting' the other day and it worked out a little bit better," Adkins said. "We were a little more motivated. Tonight, we had two center midfielders Taylor Beamon and Danny, who came out and decided to do what I wanted them to do.

"I told them tonight that midfield play is the key to the game. I said if you're not going to do the job, you can sit on the bench."

Beamon and Derwitz, along with Carson Sasser and Taylor Mills, played superb in the midfield for most of the game. Their crisp passing to open spaces and their strong push to Delgado and Davis up top kept the Greene Central defense on its heels for most of the game.

Rams coach Jose Garcia attempted to mark Davis and Delgado with his two best defenders -- Juan Mendez and Lucio Coronado. On a substitute change, the two headed toward the sideline and told Garcia they did their best to stay with the Golden Falcon duo.

"He (Juan) tried to stay with him, but it opened things up for the other guy," Garcia said. "With that pair, once Aycock starts playing together with those two forwards, they're going to be unstoppable.

"Their center mid-play is what did it tonight. They pretty much dominated us in there. They controlled the ball and fed their forwards well. If the midfield didn't have anything up front, they'd send it back and start the attack over."

Greene Central (1-2-1) clogged up the 18-yard box with four defenders and keeper Eric Mendez. The strategy limited and frustrated the Golden Falcon attack. The Rams never pressed forward, which would have allowed Adkins' team to push the ball over the top.

The Golden Falcons attempted to push the ball through the defense on numerous occasions in the first 10 minutes, but Greene Central's backline effectively used the slide tackle to take away possession. Aycock earned two corner kicks, but wasted both set pieces much to Adkins' disappointment.

However, the constant pressure finally crumpled the Rams' defense and Davis notched the eventual game-winning goal in the 15th minute. Beamon served a beautiful ball from the midfield to Davis, who ran onto inside the six-yard box.

Mendez came off his line to challenge Davis, who easily tucked it away for his 14th goal of the season. Davis' second goal, a one-touch strike, occurred in the 22nd minute after a Greene Central defender cleared a header that landed behind him and bounced at Davis' right foot.

Delgado gave Aycock a 3-0 lead in the 25th minute.

Davis concluded his hat trick in the 44th minute off a Delgado assist. Delgado followed with three consecutive goals, all off Davis assists, in the 49th, 51st and 56th minutes.

"My two forwards did a really superb job of finishing tonight," Adkins said. "I couldn't ask any more from them."

C.B. Aycock returns to action Sept. 7 with a home date against North Johnston. Greene Central continues a three-game roadswing today at Wilson Beddingfield.

Greene Central 0 0 -- 0

C.B. Aycock 3 4 -- 7

First half

CBA -- Garrett Davis (Taylor Beamon assist), 14:10

CBA -- Davis unassisted, 21:50

CBA -- Delgado unassisted, 24:31

Second half

CBA -- Davis (Delgado assist), 43:56

CBA -- Delgado (Davis assist), 48:31

CBA -- Delgado (Davis assist), 50:35

CBA -- Delgado (Davis assist), 55:07

G. C CBA

8 Shots on goal 18

5 Corner kicks 8

7 Fouls 11

2 Offsides 0

Saves -- Greene Central -- E. Mendez 4. C.B. Aycock -- Bunn 3, Quinn 1.