TFC Take Down

Dodds is killer in BTS thriller

Frank Perin — Hamilton Croatia closed the gap on first place in the CSL with an exciting 2-1 victory over league leaders TFC Academy Friday night in their best team effort of the season. The TFC Academy trip to Brian Timmis Stadium was of high interest and included a visit from Toronto FC supporters group The North End Elite. With flares, flags, drumming and chanting, the NEE created an atmosphere rarely witnessed at CSL games. It also helped produce indisputably the game of the season for Hamilton Croatia. Fresh off serving a two-game suspension for his red card back on August 20th against North York, 2009 OSL MVP Jamie Dodds opened the scoring with a low shot from 20 yards in the 18th minute. “I knew I hit it well, but there was a defender right in front of me so I didn’t even see it go in,” said Dodds about his third goal of the season. “After sitting out the past few games it gave me some time to heel a few nagging problems, so I finally feel healthy.” The game developed rapidly with TFC’s pace forcing Croatia into an up-tempo game which produced chances at either side, but both teams failed to capitalize. Hamilton’s lead held until the 86th minute when substitute midfielder Danny Jirta made it 2-0 burying a shot from about 12 yards out. Just four minutes later TFC Academy reduced the lead to 2-1 when Parker Seymour beat a diving Melford James at the 90th minute, but Croatia managed to weather the storm and get through the three added minutes until the final whistle. Concerning the atmosphere, following the game long-time supporter Zdravko Grubisic said, “The Toronto fans are organized. They made our own fans sing louder, and I think it helped the players play stronger.” TFC Academy slips to second place in the CSL after Milltown FC defeated Brampton 2-1 on Sunday to overtake top spot. Hamilton Croatia finds themselves tied in fourth place with 35 points, four points back of first place with just three games remaining.