Rd 1. Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 3 Glen Cove 0

3 years ago the Rovers were knocked out of this cup by Glen Cove 1-2 in overtime. Sunday, the debt was repaid in full.

The Rovers clearly the better side, even with defense sporting 3 new faces, dominated the match and easily moved to the 2^nd round. They went ahead early. A neat build up, got the ball deep on the Rover right, Colin got his cross to the far post and Pugliese headed home for the 4^th game in a row. Rovers 1-0.

Broach was relatively untroubled until a powerful side volley from inside the area. He just parried it to hit the top of the crossbar.

The Rovers did not keep possession well thus allowing much more ball than this Glen Cove side merited. But, the Rovers were still very dangerous with route 1. Bazza’s long balls behind the defense and the Rovers speed up-front created several clear chances – all wasted - to finish the match.

In the second half, the Rovers adjusted well. They got the ball to their playmakers and kept the ball at their feet. In the 60^th, the ball went around the horn in the back, then to Eoin to Tamu. He found Musa’s feet, who turned beat his marker, went deep into the box and crossed to an streaking Tamu. As Tamu went to double the tally, he was clipped down. Rover penalty. Tamu converted it. Rovers 2-0.

It was not all good for the Rovers. Pugliese mis-hit an attempt at a cross – sure assist – to Musa, the rebound came back his way while he was still on the ground. He attempted to re-centre, but the defender was there first and Puglie hit the defender instead. The ref somehow saw this as a violent action and issued a straight red, creating a striker crisis for the top table derby vs CPR next week.

But, this did not create a problem for this game. Eoin made a devastating run through the middle, Vidar to Musa back to Eoin in the box. Clumsy tackle by a Glen Cove defender and again, no without a doubt: Penalty. This time Musa converted for 3 in 3 matches. Rovers 3-0.

The ref felt he had to make up one. So, he whistled Kieran for a handball in the area. Glen Cove penalty. Not a problem for Broach. He dove to his right and made a spectacular 2 handed save. Later, he secured his first clean sheet of the season with another good kick save from near in.

Hopefully, the Rovers will realize their potential and make a run in the competition.

Team: Dave Borchard, Vidar Ekehaug, Kieran Mahon, Sam Wiggin, Bazza O’Driscoll, Stash Rutkowski, Tamu Bowen, Eoin Quane, Colin Marshall, Musa Shannon, Stephen Pugliese Subs: (played) Phil Hobbins

Rd 1. Brentwood LIPAC 1 Barnstonworth Rovers Res 5

The score you will find at the end.

When you wake up at 7:20 am for a State Cup game, its never a good thing. When you know there are a maximum of 11 players available, it’s a nervous morning. When you know you have an 75 minute drive and no public transport available, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.

And when the first call you get is of one of the players professing that they are “sick as a dog,” and there is no way he can make it and he may have “serious job issues”, then you know it’s going a calamity.

You make your way to the meeting point, 15 mins late, and you see only 3 other people there. By now, you know that at best you are 10 for the 75 min journey, but at least the car situation is solved !

You get a call from a guy who is running to arrive late and a car pulls up ! Hoorah now you are 6 ! One more and you can at least play and not pay a fine. Another call and 3 people have arranged to get there on their own. You are 9 !!

You go through the list, and it hits you – No Goalkeeper !!

You call a million times, no answer.

You wait until 75 mins before kick off time and that’s it, you must leave. 9 it is !

You load up, drive up the road, and take a weird route. You lose one of the cars. You make a left turn to get onto the bridge……and…vroooom….vroooom…your car stalls ! You try to restart it; it goes for 10 meters and stalls again ! Its dead ! You roll to the curb.

In a panic, you get your phone to check to call the other cars. You check for messages, and you open the first email from a player (not on this game’s list). You read the first couple of lines and it’s obvious it’s a serious matter. Our only dedicated supporter, his girlfriend, was suddenly taken to the emergency room, then to surgery, and after a serious operation on the small intestine, to ICU ! Thankfully she is projected to make a complete recovery.

Someone says “Today is not the date to tempt fate !”

A bit of luck, one of the cars was still following behind. You abandon the stalled car and continue. On the other side of the bridge, the cops have blocked the way to your route. But, as you approach the red-barrels, the policewoman starts to clear them out. Maybe your luck is changing. 500 meters later, the highway looks chocker-block, but you take the right lane, somehow cruise to the accident site, and pass it !

Momentum is shifting ! Still 45 mins to kick-off and you are 60 mins away to play 9 vs 11 and without a keeper.

You arrive, 15 min late, and the ref urges you to be quick. At least you made it !

Whomever said, “you got to be in it to win it” is a genius.

For the 9 Reserves the hardest part was behind them. The took the field with confidence and started very conservatively as the situation merited. It did not take long to realize that even with 9 they could battle through the match, even if the other team had 15.

15 mins in they took the lead. Giancarlo made a 50 yard dash on the off side and a cross field ball found him behind the opposing defense. He burst into the area and buried it to the far post: Reserve 9 1-0 !

On the half hour, it was 2. A neat 1-2 got Dixon free on the right side of the box, his cross/shot fooled the keeper and Reserve 9 2-0.

Jerome kept the clean sheet in the 1^st half, and was switched to centre forward for the start of the 2^nd. Giancarlo made a dribbling run, exchanged with Alfonzo and got a rebound. Calmly, he notched his 2^nd, Reserve 9 3-0 !

Jerome continued his scoring streak heading in a perfectly hit corner in the 65^th minute. Reserve 9 4-0.

And Shadi opened his yearly account from a Tai long ball in the 75^th. Reserve 9 5-0 !

No, its not a joke !

The only blemish came late in the game with Alex II in goal when a missed marking assignment on a corner cost the Reserves the clean sheet. Reserve 9 5-1 !

The way home was much shorter.

Team: Jerome Albertini, Dixon Hayes, Brian Schmid, Tai Anderson, Giancarlo Cavallo, Stavros Zomopoulos, Alfonzo Nanclares, Alex Carabano, Shadi Shahrokhi.

Barnstonworth Rovers Over 30's Match Report

Rovers 4 (2)
GH Metros 2 (1)

Goals:

Olli Heralla
Peter Sikora
Oren Becher, 2

Metropolitan Oval-10/22/06

We all love playing at the Oval and it shows. It's one of the nicest pitches in the city because the view is tremendous, the surface sublime and the history unparalleled in NYC football lore. The field is, however, a rectangle.

And so today with near perfect conditions and an on-time referee, we began the match at full throttle hoping to unsettle the home side. Within the first minute a quick break lead to a Davies blast from 20 yards out that was denied only by the crossbar. With a signficant height advantage, we made the most of our corners with Par just missing two early chances. Teddy curled in the next one to Russell who neatly flicked the ball to the far post where Oren's shot ricocheted to Olli who calmly drove the ball home for goal number one. Metros chances were kept to a minimum but they were able to capitalize after a decent spell when a speculative toe-poke from 20 yards found the upper 90. Rovers responded real quick-like when Par released Sikora down the right side. While most of us were expecting a cross, Peter instead fired a rocket from 15 yards that beat the keeper near post. 2-1 to Rovers at the half.

The second half saw Rovers step up the pressure with crisp passing and clinical finishing. Goal 3 came from a Davies break down the right flank where he took the ball to the endline and crossed into the 6 yard box. Par dummied the ball to Oren who fired home from close range. Within a few minutes, we had our fourth when Catania, our midfield enforcer, played a perfectly timed through ball to a just onside Oren who coolly finished his 1 v 1 opportunity. Metros managed a late goal when another toe-poke knuckled on Messmer who otherwise was solid in nets.

Squad: Mike Messmer, Dom Stiller, Carl Gajewski, Kevin O'Donovan, Martin MacKinnon, Olli Heralla, Joe Catania, Par Holmberg, Peter Sikora, Teddy Eisenman, Russell Davies, Oren Becher

Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 0 Central Park Rangers 1

Sunday’s local derby ended in disappointment for the Rovers. Once again they forced the football gods to unleash their vengeance on them. For 85 mins the much depleted Rovers completely dominated a very average CPR side. For 85 mins, even as they squandered chance after chance , it seemed just a matter of time before the Rovers scored the one goal that would give them 3 points and usher them to the top echelon of the table. Then the gods had enough, got angry and in a 2 min spun reminded the Rovers the consequences of their decadence.

Giancarlo free in the box 6 yards out decided to pass instead of finishing, Colin’s effort was right at the keeper. After the clearance, the ball found Sam who was viciously tackled from behind but the ref waved play-on as he laid in agony on the ground. The Rovers regained possession and pushed the ball again forward as Sam was regaining his feet. He, apparently, “f-us;” the ref believed it was directed at him, and stopped the play to produce a straight red card !

The Rover players and bench, watching stunned, – repeatedly – asked to be given a reason for what appeared to be – and was - a completely irrational decision. None was forthcoming. CPR took the quick restart before the Rovers re-organized, played the ball to the left, then a through ball in the heart of the Rover defense. The CPR forward one on one with Eoin, held him off and slotted it under the on-rushing Broach. Rovers 0-1. Dagger in the heart, match over.

The Rovers have nobody but themselves to blame. Leber and Kushemba still unavailable due to previous suspensions and Bazza on the sidelines ill, Dixon stepped up, started and starred for both Firsts and Reserves. And Cavallo, who was held from the Reserves started at left.

But it was at striker that the Rover faced an unparalleled crisis: Musa was away, Puglie suspended from a needless red-card last week, Andy in the hospital, Lowe awaiting shoulder surgery. They decided to call on newcomer Hobbins to help fill the void and partner also debutant-striker Sam. Unfortunately he did not show up.

Now the Firsts need to take a series of 3 points vs Kickers, Fury and the eliminate Fury in the cup to rekindle the fire in their season.

Team: Dave Borchard, Vidar Ekehaug, John Salvucci, Eoin Quane, Dixon Hayes, Aaron Samulcek, Kieran Mahon, Tamu Bowen, Giancarlo Cavallo, Colin Marshall, Sam Wiggin. Subs: (all played) Stash Rutkowski, Lexi Schardt

Barnstonworth Rovers Res. 2 C.P.R. Reserves 1

3 point vs CPR and top of the league. It’s the Reserves’ wedding present to Schmidtie.

Unlike the Firsts who have lost 3 of 4 one goal matches, the Reserves have now won 3 of their 4 such encounters, Sundays top of the table clash included. That is the difference between being marred in mid-table and reigning at the top of the league.

Even going behind 0-1 against the run of play at half time did not deter the Reserves. They started the 2^nd half with fervor and determination. They continue to carry the play and outwork CPR. They swarmed the ball and never allowed CPR to stroke passes in the Rover half.

The Reserves played possession football through out and when the ball came around to Dixon early in the 2^nd half, he passed to Fergie who found Alfonzo. A quick one two and he put a fine cross in the middle of the box where Lexi out jumped, hanged and directed his header to the far post. The CPR keeper had no chance. Rovers 1-1.

The Reserves continued to dominate and stroke the ball around. A ball was played to Lexi showing with his back to the goal. As he controlled and turned he was mauled down by the last CPR defender in or around the 18teen. The ref gave a direct free kick. As, Saunders, Lexi and Stavros deliberated as to whom was to take it, the wall was set in such a way that clearly favored a left-footer, and when the keeper placed himself on the right of the wall, it was a no-brainer. Stavros stepped up curled it over the left of the wall and just inside the upper left. Rovers 2-1.

For the last 20, the Rovers simply shut down the match, displaying un-Rover like maturity. They lowered tempo, closed down all space in the midfield and let CPR hit long ball after long ball that the Rover back line gobbled up.

The Reserves are good value for their league position.

Team: Mike Zawada, Dixon Hayes, Mike Alexander, Fegie Ferguson, Mark Bobby Hanifin Kushemba, Alex Carabano, Stavros Zomopoulos, Alfonzo Nanclares, John Saunders, Lexi Schardt, Shadi Shahrokhi Subs: (all played) Jerome Albertini, Stash Rutkowski

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

Polonia S.C. Res 1 Barnstonworth Rovers Res 2

In the opening match, the Reserves strolled by the previously undefeated Poles 2-1. It should have been 12 – 1. The match is hardly worth description, other than the late arrival of the Rover’s cards delayed the start and shortened the play to 80 mins.

The fitter Rovers dominated the fatter Poles from the kick off and created many chances. The finally broke through an a penalty, earned when Vidar – making his season debut – was brought down in the box. Easy decision for the ref, easy notch on Lexi’s tally ? No, the ball struck the inside of the post, bounced and hit the back of the keeper’s head before rolling in. Rovers 1-0.

Domination continued and the Rovers were never threatened. Yet, that did not stop them from conceding the equalizer. A ball hit from 30 out, inexplicaply ended in the net. Don’t ask how. Lets just say hyper-activity seems to ran deep with everything Polish on the day. Rovers 1-1.

The Rovers pushed on and got their second, again on a penalty. A much harsher decsion this time. On a corner, not well hit at that and the ball nowhere near the goal mouth, the Pole keeper for some reason decided to come out and push with both hands Vidar to the ground. Ref saw it & decided it was a penalty. Sam this time stepped up and opened his Rover account. Rovers 2-1.

The match ended there. The Polish keeper picked up the ball run to the middle of the field kicked it at the ref, missing him no less but hitting Sam in the back of the head. Red card. First team keeper in.

But vs 10 men the poles hardly touched the ball. So in frustration, their midfielder lashes out at Giancarlo and then “curva mases” the ref. Red card. The end.

The 3 points sets up an delicisious top of the table clash vs CPR in 2 weeks. Some of us may be at wedding, but we will make sure the groom has his and our mobiles on.

Team: Mike Zawada, Mike Alexaner, Tai Anderson, Stash Rutkowski, Kieran Mahon, Vidar Ekehaug, Shadi Shahrokhi, Alex Carabano, Giancarlo Cavallo, Lexi Schardt, Sam Wiggin. Subs (all played) Stavros Zomopoulos, Jerome Albertini

N.Y. Albanians 1 Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 3

After a last minute 2 hour kick-off time change, not particularly an unprecedented Albanian’s trick, the Rovers took the field, took charge and left with the 3 points. The went ahead at the 10 min mark. A quick restart from a midfield free kick, caught the Albanians unprepared, Andy threaded the ball to Pugli who slotted it home for his second goal of the season. Rovers 1-0.

Aaron, making his 1^st team return, made it 2 at the half hour. Musa received the ball in the attacking 3^rd, he turned a led Aaron on the far side. He collected, sprinted in the area and effortlessly tucked under the keeper. Rover 2-0.

The match was effectively ended when Tamu was fouled from behind at the left sideline, a caution-able offense that became a sending off when the Albanian captain blasted the dead ball at Tamu’s midsection. Kudos to the gutsy ref who did not flinch at the least hospitable venue in the league.

Not surprisingly given the history of Albanian’s many late comebacks vs the Rovers, they came out for the 2^nd half better prepared and even with 10 men dominated the midfield for 20 minutes. And although he was largely contained during free play, their brilliant #10 – Mario, after turning on his marker, hit an instantaneous tremendous strike from 25 meters to beat Broach. Rovers 2-1.

Then, he hit a free-kick from 30 out that Broach did very well to tip for a corner. Earlier in the match, he had a curling free kick from outside the area that rattled the post before Broach got his face to parry it.

The Rovers did not panic. They took control of the tempo and started to posses the ball much better than in the later stages of last week’s contest. On the 70 min they restored their 2 goal lead. Pugli attacking from the left optimistically played a ball in the back of the Albanian defense. Musa out-sprinted the sweeper and although he was second to the ball, he fought them off, cut to the goal, out-paced everyone, dribbled around the keeper for a classy finish. Rovers 3-1.

The Rovers should have made it 4 on when Andy made a perfectly weighted cross from a difficult angle by the corner to find Pugli unmarked in the 6, but his finish was high.

And Tamu could have again have a go at it alone in the closing stages but he decide to pass to an offside player.

As for man of the match award, it would go to Scott, not so much for his performance, but for his courage to be able to complete a 2 hour wait, then 90 min with food poisoning (even though on his ride home he was not so fortunate…).

A real test for the Rovers next Sunday at McCarren park versus an unbeaten revitalized Polonia.

Team: Dave Borchard, Mark Kushemba, Eoin Quane, John Salvucci, Bazza O’Driscoll, Aaron Samulcek, Scott Leber, Tamu Bowen, Andy Abramovits, Stephen Pugliese, Musa Shannon. Subs (all played) Dixon Hayes, Alfonzo Nanclares, Stash Rutkowski

N.Y. Albanians Res 2 Barnstonworth Rovers Res 1

The Reserves lost their perfect start to the season wasting enough chances to win a season’ worth of matches. In contrast, the Albanians scored in 2 of 3 occasions they reached the Rover area. It’s the unwritten rule of football, and the Albanians seem to invoke it, year after year against the Rovers.

It did not help that the Rovers had to wait for 3 hours before kick-off courtesy of the Albanians’ attempt to take the points without playing a match. Thanksfully the Carribean resto on Jerome Ave came to the rescue. Then again, watching Tottenham never helped anyone.

The Rovers had at least 80% of possesion, but were unable to raise the tempo and take advantage of their physical fitness. They did not move the ball quickly enough or sharply enough, allowing the Albanians to contain the play. They lacked urgency until the last 20 minutes. Yet they still created a myriad of chances without putting any of them away.

The Reserves definitely missed the injured Lowe’s ability to break down defenses and finish.

It was left to old timer Jerome to show that certain skills never fade, to coolly slide one home with time from inside the box to put the Rovers back in the match. Rovers 1-2.

Then in the remaining 20 mins, Stash, Sam, Alf, and Lexi repeadedly, among others, failed to stir the ball past the line, on a day that it was just not meant for the Rovers.

Team: Mike Zawada, Dixon Hayes, Brian Schmid, Mike Alexander, Tai Anderson, Alfonzo Nanclares, Stash Rutkowski, Stavros Zomopoulos, Giancarlo Cavallo, Lexi Schardt, Sam Wiggin. Subs (all played) Alex Carabano, Shadi Shahrokhi, Jerome Albertini

BOB match report 10/1/06

Malky Boyd waxes lyrical...


Rovers Old Boys 0 Guyana B 1
In the middle ages, many houses had thatched roofs that reached close to the ground. Such roofs would be constructed by piling up thick straw, on the roof without any wooden support. And, since houses in those days were often cold and damp, animals—dogs, cats and other small animals such as mice, rats, etc.—lived in the straw on the roof. However, whenever it rained hard, the straw surfaces became wet and slippery. This would sometimes cause some of the animals to slide and fall off the roof. When people saw this, they were heard to say that it was raining so hard that it was “raining cats and dogs”.
The quote seemed apt for a number of reasons, not least that a house built even with a straw roof would be a significant mark of progress on Randall's Island. But it's mainly apt simply to get an idea of the monsoon conditions which the Old Boys and their opponents endured yesterday. If rainstorms were measured on a scale from kitten to Great dane, this one was right off it, even the odd tiger could be seen amidst the deluge of Irish wolfhounds being chucked down mercilessly from the heavens.
Still, the Old Boys fought with gusto for a full 89 minutes of yesterday's 8am game against Guyana B, before succumbing to a last minute sucker punch completely against the run of play. With "the Cat" Sheero away (a prescient move for a cat in hindsight, given the rain), the Old Boys took the field with a debut keeper (me) in goal, and a new striker, Jonny Morrison, up front. But with old Old Boy Tim Chamberlain donning the famous blue jersey once again the team gelled quickly and quickly had the Guyanan's on the back-foot, which soon got to be a very slippery back foot indeed. Midway through the first half I had counted at least 4 good scoring chances for the Rovers before the clouds opened their own flood gates and turned the field first into a quagmire (actually an improvement for a Randall's field) and then into a surface more befitting a Battle of the Somme reenactment (not an improvement, to those unfamiliar with WW1). By the half, neither gerries or Guyana B had made it over the top and with a serious outbreak of trench-foot looming, the bedraggled Ref offered to call it quits. But by then the teams were wetter than a duck's bahookie and opted to waddle on.
The Rovers continued to dominate during long stretches throughout the entire second half, and went gut wrenchingly close on numerous occasions. A venomous 30 yard free kick from the new Old Boy Jonny thundered off the post, and Chip's well struck corners had trouble written all over them, leaving the Guyanan defense floundering like an awkward 8 legged flat fish. Just when it seemed the game was destined to end in a draw, the Guyanans nipped up the park and stole a last minute winner. It was very much daylight robbery, without the masks and horses.
Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory only builds character however, and the Old Boys continue to improve with every game. The goalie didn't have one save to make, the defense were tighter than a gnat's chuff, the midfield fought like two ferrets in a sack and for the third game in a row, the front line created around 8 good scoring opportunities. So there were a lot of positives to come out of this one, and with 3 games gone in the season, and with several players missing yesterday, the Old Boys have no reason to fear anyone.

Team - Malky, Eddie, Greg, Jules, Fergal, Josh, Zee, Chip, James, Gordo, Jonny and Tim.

Rovers Over 30 Match Reports-9/17/06--10/01/06

9/17/06, Randalls Island 25

Rovers 2 (1)
Shamrock 2 (1)

Goals: Pat Wisnom, 2

The Over 30's season began under sunny skies on a hay-strewn pitch at Randalls Island. And I think its safe to say that few would have guessed that the Olli-to-Wisnom connection would pay dividends on two occasions.

Shamrock took the lead against the run of play when Rovers lost the ball in midfield. Their quick counter lead to a 1 v 1 which left Messmer with little chance to save. We re-grouped when the midfield duo of Holmberg and Catania, solid in his Rover debut, began to apply sustained pressure on the Shamrock back line. A MacKinnon through ball released Wisnom down the right flank from where he crossed a dangerous ball into the proverbial mixer. Oren, who was unlucky to have not scored in his Rover debut, met the cross with a solid full volley that unfortunately went right to the keeper who somehow managed to parry it over the bar. Just prior, Wisnom had been denied by the post when his lovely curler struck the upright. Soon, though, we equalized when Olli sent in a corner to the near post for Wisnom to bundle home.

Minutes into the 2nd half, we took the lead when Olli served a driven free kick from the left side that found Wisnom, who neatly volleyed his second of the match into the lower left corner. 2-1 Rovers. We maintained the lead until the last 10 minutes when a phantom foul went against Carl. Shamrock's free kick found their attacker at the penalty spot, unmarked and offside, and he just managed to get the ball over Messmer for the equalizer. And while we came away with only a point, Rovers can take heart that they dominated possesion for long spells and created more clear cut chances.

Squad: Michael Messmer, Eric Butte, Carl Gajewski, Russell Davies, Olli Heralla, Martin MacKinnon, Gary Sisto, Par Holmberg, Joe Catania, Kevin O'Donovan, Oren Becher, Pat Wisnom, Dom Stiller

9/24/06, Randalls 20

Rovers 1
Pele Masters 2

Goal: Oren Becher


Pele Masters, perennial league toppers, were ripe for the taking but Rovers were unable to finish them off and succumbed to a late goal. Following a questionable goal early on, Rovers quickly replied when a Pat Wisnom cross was met by Oren Becher who scored his first ever Rover goal. The 2nd half saw Rovers apply much pressure on Pele with Becher, Wisnom and Par all coming agonizingly close without actually scoring. Somehow, a speculative long ball from the keeper managed to get by the Rover defenders as well as Messmer and find its way into the back of the net. I will add that no referee showed up and each team had to provide a ref for each half.

Squad: Messmer, Stiller, O'Donovan, Gajewski, MacKinnon, Catania, Heralla, Butte, Sisto, Keogh, Holmberg, Wisnom, Bowley, Becher,


10/01/06, Randalls 13/14

Rovers 1
Gjoa 2

Goal: Russell Davies

To add insult to the 8:00 kickoff, the ref didn't show up for the 2nd week in a row. WTF?! This time, some Gjoa dude reffed the match. We took control early on with Par, Joe, Teddy and Keogh nicely combining in midfield to create early chances. In one movement, Keogh soloed to the byline where he put the ball across goal to Davies who calmly knocked the ball home from close range. Next up was the torrential downpour that you heard about earlier from Juan and Malky. During said downpour, the ref called a harsh peno against us that Gjoa were able to get past Butte, subbing in for a wayward Messmer who was off at the Valley watching cellar-dwellers Charlton succumb to the Arse. Following 30 minutes of heavy rain, the pitch was unplayable and perhaps the match should have been abandoned at halftime. We soldiered on with myself in goal for the 2nd half. It was impossible to play proper football given all the puddles on the pitch and much like the Pele match the week prior, we lost on late breakaway. That said, we had the opportunities to win all of our three matches this season and look to make amends against der Gottschee this coming Sunday.

Butte, Gajewski, Stiller, Heralla, MacKinnon, Eisenman, Catania, Holmberg, O'Donovan, Keogh, Davies, Sikora

Rovers Thirds 3 - EMC FC 4 (Match Report)

The new Rovers Thirds suffered again from not having a goalie and lost 3-4 against a team they could have easily beaten in different circumstances.

In the worse playing conditions possible, Rovers took the field Sunday morning with Moore on goal, just like last week, in the absence of regular keeper Dainoff, who is recovering from knee surgery. The game started with both teams trying to adjust to the field and most of the time was spent fighting for possession of the ball in midfield. Two almost identical plays happened, one for each team and almost back to back, where a defender tried to clear the ball and ended up shooting against their own goal. EMC's goal keeper was able to get a hand on the ball and avoid the own goal, Rovers were not so lucky. 0-1.
Bernfeld switched to play goalie and Moore moved to sweeper. Rovers were more organized, had more possession of the ball but were not able to create clear chances, as the pitch was playing tricks on them over and over. Towards the end of the half, EMC had a free kick a few yards outside of the box, which was kicked over the wall and on target. Bernfeld tried to punch it out and the ball sneaked in between his arms. 0-2.

The second half saw a more aggressive Rovers side, pushing all lines forward and trying to get back in the game. Finally, a beautifully executed corner kick by Mackers found Moore alone in the box to head the ball in. 1-2. Rovers continued pressuring in the middle as the rain stopped yet the pitch continued to be unplayable. And once again, a free kick from outside of the box by EMC tricked Bernfeld on the bounce. 1-3.
With 15 minutes left in the game, Rovers had complete control of the ball and EMC just waited and played the counterattack strategy. A nice play by Bryans on the right side finished with a nice cross to Kazior, who went up for a header with an EMC defender who, not only fouled Kazior in the air, but also headed to ball in his own goal. Result of the play, penalty for the Rovers since the ref had whistled before the ball went in. Subchart-Anan shot it high and hard and the keeper had no chance. 2-3.
As the Rovers were pushing more and more for the equalizer, a long ball sent from EMC's back line found their sole attacker, who got the ball after a miscommunication between Bernfeld and Schlatter, for the easy tap in. 2-4. Still, Rovers did not give up and quickly scored again on a great play by Kazior who followed up on a Bryans' header that the keeper was unable to control. 3-4 and no more time left.

Rovers Thirds are 1-2 this season, but the three points obtained so far does not really reflect their play, just their lack of decent goalkeeping. Much brighter days ahead …

Team: Moore, Wine, Box, Bryans and Schlatter, Subchart-Anan, Robertson, Saeki and Rawiophap, Gonzalez Casares and Kazior. Subs: McLaughlin, Crane and Bernfeld (all played).