The lads and lass of Old Growth FC have begun their next campaign in the fall term with an infusion of new players to combine with many of the core players from the spring. This has led to an unusual phenomenon in TAFC circles known as a deep bench, as OGFC had a total of 25 players available for selection versus one of the new teams joining the Over 40 set, Inter United.

In some unusual scheduling by GPSD, the match on September 15 was staged for 6 PM, hours after the big Portland Timbers match versus their arch nemesis from up the way, the team that shall remain nameless FC. As someone who has played on Timbers Army clubs since the inception of the team, it was simply amazing that the OGFC match was scheduled at a time that didn’t conflict with a Timbers match because that has been an issue in the past. There were a few OGFC players upset they were missing out on post match celebrations, however, but it was a small complaint in the grand scheme as OGFC was basking in the glow of the Timbers draw.

This was the first time the club was playing at the newly renovated Buckman Field in NE Portland, which is a very nice complex of turf fields just south of Benson High School. Unfortunately, some GPS systems and Google Maps confuse this fact as some of the players were sent over the river into NW Portland for directions, but the slightly late arrivals didn’t affect the bench numbers as the whistle blew at 6 PM. Inter United, clad in light blue, tried to attack OGFC from the start, but in the opening minute of the match, OGFC struck the post on the attack sending the bench into a frenzy. Could OGFC stake out to a big lead?

Normalcy took over moments later when Inter United started to pressure the OGFC defense with some quick passing and attempted crosses. With OGFC losing the coin toss, they were defending the east end of the turf putting OGFC goalkeeper Brad Ashton at a disadvantage with the setting sun directly in his eyesight. This situation contributed to at least two of the first half goals by Inter United as Ashton

simply couldn’t see the ball. OGFC tried to pressure things as much as they could, but the passing in the midfield was slightly off kilter as passes just missed cutting players. Perhaps it was nerves, perhaps it was new players and old players trying to gel on the fly, perhaps it was the absence of Rex Forkner, we don’t know, but OGFC fell behind by 4 goals at the half.

The second half saw the teams switch sides, but the sun had set enough that it was no longer a factor, but that didn’t stop OGFC from trying to attack anyway. As the substitution plan brought fresh players off the bench repeatedly, OGFC was starting to find space to work as they were able to generate shots on goal regularly. One player in particular that had a great half for shots was Josh Barrett, who was on the shooting end of two very quality looks. Unfortunately for Barrett, he did his best “insert Timbers player name who is famous for skying the ball” impression and launched them high of goal. The resulting buildup, however, was amazing as OGFC started to look comfortable in the attack. Unfortunately, Inter United added two to their lead off counter attacks as the OGFC defense was unable to get back on a few key runs, but there were some brilliant stops as well, too. Sean Pope had one of the best stops in the second half when Ashton was pulled out of goal, and Pope blocked a couple of attempts with his quick feet and composure. As far as a team effort, the second half was moving things along in the right direction, but as is put to the team from the coaches, there’s always more to be done to improve.

OGFC now sits at 0 wins, 0 draws and 2 losses and plays Fat Tuesday’s FC on September 23 at Vancouver’s Devereaux Field at noon. I’ve had their drinks on my adventures in Vegas, so if the team is anything like that, it could be an adventure for the OGFC folks, but with this group, we’re never boring.

Final Score: OGFC 0, Inter United 6

Goals: None

Assists: None

Cautions: None

Ejections: None

OGFC Starters: G Brad Ashton; D Sean Moran, D Sean Pope, D Jamey Billig, D Fred Henning; M Rustam Kocher, M Jason Hall, M Lee Tyler, M Rich Meneghello; F Todd

Diskin, F Mike Montague.

OGFC Reserves: Dale Montgomery, Dean Vancheresse, Eric Berg, Eric Kilgore, Josh Barrett, Kip Kesgard, Lane Scheideman, Lee Tyler, Lindsey “Hoss” Burdett, Nikki Suydam, Paul Atkinson, Rich Sheals, Steve Kuenzi, Thomas Augst.

OGFC Injured List: Jonathan Drews (knee/ribs): TBD; Michael Blake (ankle): 2 weeks;

Thomas Augst (groin): unavailable for 9/22 match; Jamey Billig (calf strain): TBD.

OGFC Unavailable: Rex Forkner (travel), Dave Petterson (schedule conflict)

Goals in GPSD Fall 2012 (5): Lane Scheideman (1)

Assists in GPSD Spring 2012 (2): Rich Recker (1)

Historical Records:

Goals for OGFC (6): Lane Scheideman (2); Brad Ashton (1), Rich Recker (1),

Sean Moran (1), Sean Pope (1),

Assists for OGFC (3): Eric Berg (1), Rich Recker (1), Todd Diskin (1)