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It was over a week ago that the Ontario Alpha Particles were eliminated from the National Cup competition. The defending champs knocked out by a mean western team in The Drillers. Since then, the Alphas have gone 8W-1D-0L in league, friendly and cup games. Their little run has saw them climb out of the bottom-8 for the first time in over a month-and-a-half as well as witnessing them competing as a final-4 team in an international competition.

"Things are going well. However, we had a nice run like this two weeks ago then the next week couldn't buy a victory. We have to enjoy this week, and make sure to replicate it next week. We'll have two tough matches coming up. Both teams have been playing with excess importance late and playing on the road will make things even tougher for us" said Tyson Borden the face of the team.

The Alphas face the Grass Monkeys on the road on Tuesday, in a match that will surely be interesting with the 11th seed Monkeys hosting the 12th seed Alphas.

"It's certainly a big game. A win Tuesday and we can put some serious separation between us and the bottom-8. Not to mention let us focus a little more on obtaining CWC supremacy" said Freddy Slater. "It was good today to get a win over Tony Creek. We really needed the points, I'm glad the boys got it done without me."

We then proceeded to question Freddy a bit more. "Oh common guys, Tony Creek... Stoney Creek. You guys HAVE to know that! Stoney Creek is called Tony Creek because it's full of Italians eh! Man it just takes the laughs out of it when you have to explain it" said the 15 year old Alphas star who will miss Tuesday's match due to suspension and also missed today's match.

The win came at the expense of one of the Alphas' former players. Vladimír Pata was a goalkeeper for the Alphas for just over 3 months. During that time he learned alongside one of the best in Pemberton. Pata met with us to discuss the trade and his new team.

"I enjoyed my time in Guelph. Today's game was a good homecoming. It would have been very nice to win though. I have many friends here" exclaimed Pata. "I am very lucky because they brought me over here to make me a better soccer goalkeeper. When I thought I deserved a chance to play canucks357 promised me he would find me a team where I could play and play lots. Not only did he find me a team to play on, he found me a team close by that was a real up-and-comer and would be competing in the top division as well. It has been a dream come true. I am very lucky to have been a part of two classy organizations."

Pata was beaten by the only two shots he faced in the match, and the Alphas would go on to win 2-0 at home.

"He was a good kid. Eager learner and excellent work ethic. It was nice to see him again" said Pemberton who exchanged goalkeepers mitts with eachother after the game. "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we won. But it was something special to see him at the other end. I think on another day there may have been a different result. Pata had no chance on either of our goals and did well to put our players off on their 7 other attempts. That being said, the execution of Stoney Creek today was not what I expected. I believe the players took a bit of a vacation much like their manager saint2e has done recently. Word is that guy hasn't been to work in weeks! I got to hang the cleats up and get setup with his job!" joked Pemberton as he walked away.

After Tuesday's match in Quebec, 20 players will make the rare trip to Azerbaijan the African powerhouse Atreides in the first leg of the Cup Winners' Cup semi-final. Many players are looking forward to seeing a country that many will never visit again in their life.

"It's not everyday you get to travel to that area of the world. Sure, it's not the most peaceful at times, but it is very rustic and surely a great experience. I've heard the stadium overlooks the Caspian Sea. It will surely be an intense game where we won't be the favourites!" said Dwight Gartlan who will have to step up his game in the absence of 3 Alphas due to suspension.

Midfielder Filip Kaščák and defenders Darren Barber and Rubén Amar won't make the trip as they will be serving one-game bans. Expect manager canucks357 to tinker with his lineup a bit in order to deal with the Atreides potent offence on the road with two key defensive figures suspended.

"It won't be easy. We need to focus on playing a good road game - limiting their chances and countering as best we can. If we do that we set ourselves up nicely for the match at home" said canucks357. Atreides will also have to deal with some suspensions themselves including the leading scorer and right midfielder. Surely this will be an epic two-game battle of the ages.

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