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| Latics draw in opening match |
After an unblemished 14-0-0 record in Division 6:53 in season 48, Villa Athletic look to continue their success in the new season. However, despite being ready to start off season 49, the Latics were only able to capture a single point in their opening fixture of the season. A 1-1 draw with Mad Nalgas was a pleasant result, as the Latics appeared to be out-matched for much of the game.
"Despite only managing a point, I think we should be happy with the result. Obviously there are things we still need to work on if we wish to progress and keep up in a higher division this season, but we at least have a foundation to start with," stated Tosh in a post-game press conference.
The Latics fans may believe they were robbed of a full three points due to a disallowed goal in the 8th minute. Marcin Latka headed home a cross from Czeslaw Krakowski; however, it was waved off by the line judge for an offside that had fans fuming. Five minutes later, the Latics would finally take a 1-0 lead after a penalty was awarded. Long time defender Spence Livett, playing in his 201st game for the club, struck home the club's first goal of the season as he put it easily past Kalle Solö.
The away side was feeling good for much of the game, despite the onslaught by Mad Nalgas. Lientur Expósito, in his first game as the club's top goalkeeper, saved four of his five shots taken by the Nalgas attack. It wasn't until the 85th minute that the home side would equalize, with Elliott Newell hammering home a goal following a quick pass from Hans-Erik Björnstrand. The goal would stand and the Latics would fall short of their attempt to gain a season opening victory.
With the result, the Latics will rest in 3rd place after the first round of games. The club will be anxious for their next match as they take on Brave Art, who won their opening fixture to the tune of 2-0. Following that the Latics will enter the Xpert League Cup with an away fixture versus MVI FC, where they are considered the favorites to advance to the next round according to most bookies.
"While we didn't get the result we were after, we have to look at everything as one game. It's true that the season is a marathon rather than a sprint. We can't get ahead of ourselves, and all we can do is focus on the next match," Yoshinobu Kasai stated in a brief encounter in reports on his way into the training ground.
The 35 year old captain Kasai is determined that the club will succeed despite the large player turnover, as many of the club's veteran players have moved elsewhere with the overhaul of both coaches and players at the start of Tosh's first full season in charge getting underway.
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