NIK DHINGRA gets airborne to clear a ball away from the defense during Wakefield’s win over Melrose last week. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
WAKEFIELD — A grueling, hard-fought rivalry game between the Wakefield and Melrose boys’ soccer teams crawled to the finish line on Wednesday with the Warriors holding onto a 1-0 lead with everything they had.
Wakefield’s defense looked like they would hold off a relentless Melrose attack as the clock ticked under the 10-minute mark. Then, with 6:20 left, the visitors finally found their equalizer on a wicked one-timer from about 30 yards out that somehow bent under the crossbar for a 1-1 tie, sending Melrose into a celebration for what would surely be a hard-earned point.
The Warriors had other ideas.
Just one minute later, junior Matt Keefe earned a free kick right behind the midfield line, and hurried to catch the Melrose defense off guard. His quick kick found its way through the defense and exactly onto the foot of a waiting Jack Millward, a dream for the Warriors and a nightmare for Melrose that came true as the striker calmly buried his 7th goal of the season in Wakefield’s 4th game, sending the home crowd at Walton Field into jubilation with a 2-1 lead.
The Warriors got late clears from defenders Aidan Bligh, Nik Dhingra and Aden Stevenson as they held on for their 3rd win of the season.
Wakefield’s trend of early scoring continued in this one, getting on the board before the fans could even settle in as Millward’s cross deflected off a defender and in for that 1-0 lead which would hold for the next 70 minutes of game time.
The rest of the first half featured stout defending from the aforementioned back line, which also included right back, senior Sean Callanan as well as midfielders Keefe and senior captain Charles Gagne.
Bligh was especially busy in this one, with multiple headers to clear the zone while Wakefield worked to control possession.
Senior captain and goalkeeper Mouad Khaja got a piece of a corner kick on a close chance for Melrose and the defense held on as the game went into the break with the Warriors up 1-0.
Melrose came out in the second half with high energy, forcing Wakefield to pick up their game. Gagne had multiple quality wins in the middle and the Warriors got the best chance early on, created by sophomore Alex De Morais which led to two shots by Keefe and Gagne that the Melrose keeper was ready for.
Khaja was on top of each Red Hawk cross and he charged a through ball that went long to break up a potential open bid as Melrose called timeout with 11:23 left to recharge their final push.
Melrose’s tally truly felt like the last goal, since so much of the game was spent battling for possession.
Of course, Wakefield has proved that they can score in all situations this year, especially Millward, who has separated himself from the rest of the best strikers in the Middlesex League by scoring early, often, and whenever the Warriors need a goal the most.
His game-winner, which of course should be credited to the perfect ball played by Keefe, featured incredible timing by Millward, as he hit the turbo button to get past the defense before locking in, taking his time and finishing as only an elite goal-scorer can.
Wakefield’s terrific start to the season has them atop the league’s Freedom Division standings as they stand at 3-0-1.
They will try for their 4th victory tonight when they host Stoneham at 6:15 p.m. back at Walton Field.
