Results: Firsts 5/11/08 vs Brooklyn Italians

Barnstonworth Rovers 3 Brooklyn Italians 0

The Rovers completed the double over the 2-time defending league champions, scoring 3 times in the second half. Two typical Pugli goals and a powerful Colin strike to the roof of the net, netted their record 9 league victory of the season, reached their record 28 points and with, still 2 matches to play, remained on course for their first Division 1 playoff appearance.
Even without Jon Nessa - still nursing a hamstring injury - and Tom - foot injury, the Rovers core remained concrete. Still, in the first half, the malaise of the last couple of outings was visible. And they feared the worst when midday through the first half they were awarded a dubious penalty (for once) and Jordi horribly muffled it. Clearly flustered, he then went in a very late challenge on the keeper - outside the penalty area - and was lucky to remain on the pitch.
Against an weaker Italian side, they failed to dominate. They did create some changes, the best falling to Pugli inside the area that was meekly finished, and a header from Andy that was well saved. But, the Brooklyn side could have easily been 2 to the good had it not been for 2 superb stops tet-a-tet from Broach, the first with the aid of an excellent Kush challenge.
The Rovers shuffled the deck for the second half, and with the required urgency re-appearing played much better.
Andy thought he had his first league goal of the year when he finished a Pugli pass back, only to be ruled offsides.
They did take the lead in the 65th minute when Colin put a free kick from the left, deep to the far side of the 18, Wiggi headed back across the face of goal to an onrushing Steve, who crushed it in the net.. Rovers 1-0
Mahesh, on first team debut, stole the ball on the left, tore down to goal, but decided to pass it off to Colin further outside instead of finishing it himself.
10 mins later the Rovers doubled their lead. Jordi got to the byline on the right, drilled it across the six and Pugli's diving header finished it. Rovers 2-0.
The icing on the cake came a few minutes from time. Vidar to Yuri, one touch back to Colin. Thunder to the roof of the net. Rovers 3-0.
Now, even if Iberia beat the Italians on Sunday, a Rover victory over Bulgaria and a tie against the already qualified Pancyprians will secure their first ever playoff birth

Team: Dave Borchard, Randi Lee, Vidar Ekehaug, Sam Wiggin, Mark Kushemba, Colin Marshall, Einar Bennediktson, Giancarlo Cavallo, Jordan Chirico, Andy Abramovits, Stephen Pugliese. Subs (all played) Mahesh Subramanian, Mike Alexander, Yuri Krym