The Upper Freehold/Allentown (UFA) 40 soccer team were at home May 10 against Lakewood. After a bumpy start to the season, UFA were looking to turn things around. One of the problems with the season so far had been the shortage of players from week to week.

This week, player-manager Alan Nicholls had the luxury of having two substitutes to use on the bench. With longtime team goalkeeper Martin Scarano having turned 40, he was now eligible to play in the field. He was relishing his freedom playing up front alongside Irish striker Robert Hogan. In the first 15 minutes, the home side dominated play, coming close on several occasion, but never able to convert any of their chances. It took a long-range strike from stopper Didier Mory to show the way. He took control of a pass somewhere around midfield and advanced about 10 yards before unleashing a wicked shot goalward. It rocketed into the goal in the top right corner. This steadied the local team and they went on to play some solid soccer. Shortly before the break, sweeper Alan Nicholls almost had a repeat of Mory's goal as he took a shot from 30 yards out that ricocheted off the top of the crossbar and away to safety.

The second half resumed with Lakewood, wind at their backs, pressing hard to get an equalizer. They did that within 5 minutes of the restart, and then only a few minutes later, they got the go-ahead goal as Danny Teixeira lost possession in the Lakewood half, trying to dribble through too many defenders. Lakewood broke quickly on the counter attack, and scored to take the lead.

Keeper Kirk Bullock was shown a yellow card after bringing down a Lakewood forward in the box. Martin Scarano went back in goal, and made a tremendous save from the penalty that had been awarded by the Bullock infraction.

UFA were forced to go on the attack. Scarano was back in the field after Bullock had served his time. Local boy Anthony Marabuto went on to get his hat-trick and Rober Hogan got the last goal to give the home side a resounding 5-2 victory. Amaro Pereira worked tirelessly in midfield creating plenty of chances for his forwards to capitalize on. Martin Scarano deservedly got the "man-of-the match" award.