Polonia S.C. 4 Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 3

In front of what was described as the closest thing to a pro-match we are likely to see and in front of the largest crowd, believed ever, for a BRFC match (300-500), the Rovers gave up a top professional class strike in the last minute of the match to lose 4-3 to league favorites Polonia. The Rovers played the last 15 minutes with 9 men after Kushemba was sent off (it’s contented that he was bribed given his Polish background). Leber was sent off in a first half incident with the Rovers leading 2-1. A long time Rover and spectator emailed this after the match: “sunday's game was an honour for the team, I believe they made the club proud and it is already a lot.”

Had it not been for the many forced changes, there is little doubt that the Rovers would have come away with the 3 points, and certainly with 1. They controlled the match for the longer spell. And 11 v 11 they looked as the pro-filled team not Polonia with their 5 First Div imports. The Rovers took the lead 5 minutes in. The ball worked from the back to midfield and Andy found Puglie making a run to the corner. Unbelievably, Puglie hit a magic cross where Musa clinically finished it with a unstoppable header. Rovers 1-0.

Th Poles calmly went on with their business with long ball into their 2 quality strikers. In the quarter hour they leveled the score on a good strike inside the box, after the Rovers were caught short-handed at the far post. Rovers 1-1.

Rovers regained the lead in the 20^th min. Musa collected a ball in midfield attacked by 3 Poles and slotted Puglie open in the box. Like ice-water, he slotted the ball under the keeper and through the net at the far post. Rovers 2-1.

Bazza had a free kick from 25 out brilliantly saved by the keeper. And then in the resulted corner, Salvo was sciscorred from behind just outside the area. An instant red card. The game could have well been over right there and then. But, Leber came to defend Salvo, pushed the offender so the ref also send-him off. The manager decided to sacrifice striker Puglie for more support in the center of midfield, and on came Colin. The Rovers easily controlled the rest of the half.

The beginning of the 2^nd half has been a soft spot for the Rovers all season, and Sunday was no exception. The conceded the play to the Poles, and they took advantage. The Poles tied the score on a classic long ball finish. Rovers 2-2, and then when Kushemba uncessarily commited and was beat by the bouce on the near side line, the Polish winger sprinted alone into the area and executed Broach. Rovers 2-3.

The revitalized Rovers and the ref unwittingly contrived for the equalizer. It was 3:40 and Tamu had to depart for work and needed to be substituted, but in the confusion the Rovers took too long and the ref shouted: “no sub”. Tamu continued, took the ball from a short free kick, played the one-two with Musa, beat a defender and smashed it to the far post. Rovers 3-3.

Off came Tamu, Bazza was replaced earlier with a pulled hamstring, as were Aaron and Andy in the wings. Now with the Rovers so changed, leading to slight disorganization, tt was going to be a battle to the finish until Kushemba irrationally tacked a guy from behind in the near side line. 2^nd bookable offense and the Rovers down to 9. To make matters worse, Musa could not continue due to a calf strain. Amazingly, the ref suggested and allowed Puglie to re-enter the game and take Musa’s spot ! thankfully avoiding a Rover 8 men !. Still, advantage Poles.

With several hunderd people urging them on all around McCarren park, the Rover 9 held on enviably until the last minutes. The poles had long abandoned any midfield play, playing to their strenght - everything long to the strikers. One of these balls, surprisingly fooled Salvo, Eoin hesitated choosing to containt the striker and allowing the ball to bounce on the edge of the box. The Pole facing the sideline, hit a volley on the turn, with the ball chest high. Broach did not even see it , let alone react, as the ball was hit so hard, it dipped just under the top 90. The belated reaction of the crowed was evidence that even they could not believe what had just happened. Rovers 3-4.

When you get 3 goals away, with both of your strikers scoring, it would be expected that the team walks away with points, it just was not to be this Sunday. Yet, the opening quote holds.

Team: Dave Borchard, Bazza O’Driscoll, Eoin Quane, John Salvucci, Reckless Kushemba, Aaron Samulcek, Scott Leber, Tamu Bowen, Andy Abramovits, Stephen Pugliese, Musa Shannon. Subs: (all played) Colin Marshall, Sam Wiggin, Kieran Mahon, Vidar Ekehaug, Stash Rutkowski