Result Firsts 12/09/07

Greek American Atlas 1 Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 1

A Tom Davison looping header on debut in the 65^th minute ensured the Rovers earned at least a point against the East’s league leaders. The Rovers would have enabled hated CPR to spring to top position at the break, but they got trounced by the Albanians 5-0 ! Although the tie, overall, was a fair result the Rovers looked like they had clinched all 3 points when in the 85th Pugliese pounced and slotted home a the goalkeeper’s rebound in the area but somehow he was judged to have started in an off-side position !

The match was a midfield affair much of the first half with the teams sharing possession. The Rovers were creating more in the final third and had they settled down, they could have evolved to dominate the game. But after Chirico’s early booking for a reckless challenge the Rovers turned timid and disjointed. The Greeks scored in their one and only foray in the Rover’s area. A ball to the far post was left unchallenged, Zawada left his line but got caught in no-man’s land as the Greek forward glanced a header over him. Rovers 0-1.

Pugliese should have tied the match almost immediately when he got the ball near the penalty spot, alone, but fired to the side netting. And then a Wiggi header of a corner was well saved. But Atlas also had a couple of good chances. First their winger failed to stir the ball into an open net at the near post, and near the end of the half, a through ball split the Rover defense only for the forward to misfire wide from a seemingly impossible to miss range.

The Rovers came out and took control in the 2^nd half. With Einar being more effective in the middle, the Rovers better controlled the flow and tempo. Again the Rovers thought they had tied the match when Pugliese fired from the area but a Greek cleared just before the ball crossed the line. And the Atlas keeper got lucky what Levine fanned on a powerful cross infront of the goal. But the Rovers were not to be denied. From the next Chirico corner, the ball arrived to Tom on the far post who out-leaped everyone and looped a header to the far upper 90. Rovers 1-1.

The Rovers pressed the pace as they looked the better side, but it was the Greeks who created the next 2 chances. The first after their forward cut inside at the by line to find himself at point blank range with Zawada who did magnificently to parry the effort. And then, Vidar tracked, challenged and poked the ball away from an attacking player, through Kushemba’s legs and into open space behind the Rovers’ defense where a Greek forwarded waited. The linesman wrongly flagged for an offside savings the Rovers. And although it was a mistake, it could not compare to what the other linesman took away from the Rovers. Baskin broke on the left, cut into the box, and fired a shot. The Atlas keeper just managed to parry it to the left where an arriving Pugli collected and finished ! Rovers 2-1 – no – the lineswoman – she mush have know Pugli from the Hoboken bar scene – waived her flag and after consulting with her, the ref cancelled the goal and 2 Rover points.

Team: Mike Zawada, Mark Kushemba, Jon Nessa, Sam Wiggin, Dixon Hayes, Jordan Chirico, Andy Abramovits, Einar Beneditktsson, Vidar Ekehaug, Mat Levine, Stephen Pugliese. Subs (played) Tom Davison, Ron Baskin

Result Reserves 12/09/07

Greek American Atlas Res 2 Barnstonworth Rovers Res 3

The Reserves had an impressive outing in the cold beating the previously undefeated reigning Reserve State Cup winners and League champions Atlas 3-2. Against an under full strength opponent in the early going, the Rovers raced to a 2-nil advantage in the first half, but it took an exquisite finish by Carabano in the 75” to win the match. Baskin had opened the scoring and Lowe had doubled the Rovers lead before the Greeks got 2 quick goals in the beginning of the second half to even the match. Less than a minute after the Rovers had regained the lead, they had George sent-off for a second bookable offense making the last 15 minutes a nerve-racking affair with the Rover content to clear the ball to the corners.

The Reserves took the lead in the 15^th min. They had full control of the match and were moving the ball nicely. An exchange of passes in the middle ended with Baskin on racing wide on the left. As he strode in the box, the defense awaiting a ball across the box, he fired in the near post beating the keeper. Reserves 1-0.

5 minutes later it the Reserves struck again. A ball played to the edge of the box controlled by Tom who fed Lowe arriving at the far post. Lowe volleyed it home. Reserves 2-0.

The Reserves could have finished the match earlier. They had 2 – 3 golden opportunities to secure the result but faltered. A header in the box by new-boy Tom Davison was cleared off the line, and then Tom had a chance alone vs the keeper but the effort was parried. Lowe had a chance from close range in the 6 blocked by the keeper, and at 2-1 Stash stole the ball at midfield, raced clear in the opposing box, committed the keeper only to drag his shot wide where a placed instep may had done the job. Alfonzo had his chance moments later but his shot from a clear position went wide.

The Greeks responded with a goal mouth scramble off a corner and moments later with a rebound from a cross that should have been collected. Reserves 2-2.

But just as the champions thought they would preserve their unbeaten record, the Rovers got the winner. A build up on the left, found Tamu in the middle, he cut into the box and fed Carabano making a run from the right. He collected swiveled and curled it to the far side netting. Rovers 3-2.

The last 15 minutes the 10-men Rovers went into survival mode and somehow managed to hold on. Zawada made a great recovery after swatting a ball in-front of the goal and with Alexander’s help barred the ball from crossing the line.

The result sets the stage for the Reserves to fight on in the division.

Team: Mike Zawada, Mike Alexander, Bobby Hanifin, Andrew George, Randi Lee, Stavros Zomopoulos, Ron Baskin, Alfonzo Nanclares, Stash Rutkowski, Tom Davison, Mat Lowe. Subs (all played) Alex Carabano, Yuri Krym, Tamu Bowen.

Result: Firsts 11/27/07 by the Women's

First let us say congrats on your win Tuesday night. We don't see many of your games so it was really great to see what a strong team you have. Because you played so well and dominated the game, after the 3^rd Rover goal we diverted our attention and began compiling a list recognizing the outstanding play and/or personal or physical characteristics we thought were worthy of note. Truth be told, if you were part of the first team squad on Tuesday night and we knew your name, you made the list.

And in 2 special cases, players referred to only as "mystery men " even made the list.

The only real question you should be asking is whether you were above or below the long haired linesmen who was #6 on the list.

(Yep, he made the list.)

And Stav although you weren't originally on the list because you weren't technically playing, you have most certainly proven yourself list-worthy and we've secured a special coveted spot for you.

For those of you who believe you may have been left off the list because we don't know your name, may we suggest you use this as an excuse to get to know us - it's likely that you didn't make the list simply because we didn't know your name.

Anyone who wonders why they received the ranking they did, should inquire with us directly.

If you want to be on the list (or move up), we do accept bribes!

The List

1) Kush

2) Randi

3) Mystery men #5 & #15

4) Alfonso

5) Andy

6) The long haired ref

7) Lil red heads (from the other team)

8) Steve-O

9) Yuri (because of his body)

10) Einar

11) Stavros (even without playing time)

12) Baskin (because he's from the motherland and Emma voted for him 4 times)

13) Vidar

ROVERETTES

Result: Firsts 11/27/07 vs Landsdowne Bhoys

Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 6 Landsdowne Bhoys 2

In front of a large partisan crowd at Pier 40, the Rovers demolished a spirited Landsdowne 6-2 to keep pace in the division. The women’s team reps at the match will publish a full report !

The Rovers got a hat-trick from Pugli and another Levine goal (3^rd match in a row) to go up 4-0 and secure the match before an uncharacteristic Broach give-away let the Bhoys back into the hunt. The Rovers, though, were simply too good on their practice pitch. Yuri made it 5-1 before Baskin got his 2^nd of the season in the 90^th.

Team: Dave Borchard, Jon Nessa, Mark Kushemba, Sam Wiggin, Einar Benedktsson, Vidar Ekehaug, Jordan Chirico, Andrew George, Andy Abramovits, Stephen Pugliese, Mat Levine. Subs (all played): Ron Baskin, Alfonzon Nanclares, Yuri Krym, Matt Lowe