Results: Firsts 10/12/08 vs Frosinone Met Oval

Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 2 Frosinone Met Oval 1
The Rovers remained top of the Div 1 table on a late Pugli winner, matching the Lady Rovers. It’s the first time in New York amateur soccer where a club’s women’s and men’s team sit a top of the highest league tables.
Promoted last year and formed from a former PDL side, Frosinone contributed to a very high quality and entertaining match. The Rovers took the lead, predictably, from a Pugli pooch but even as they dominated, Frosinone converted a well taken chance to equalize midway through the 2nd half. 20 choppy minutes followed, before Pugli and the Rovers struck again.
The Rovers played football for a full 90 minutes, maybe the 1st time this season. Certainly, it was their best overall performance. They executed the game plan through out. The ball moved freely and fast in and out of the central midfield, getting to Jordan on the flank, and engaging Pugli early and often. And, although, the first half ended 0-0, the Rovers knew a goal was coming. They could have taken the lead in the 1st half. Pugli missed from inside the area after Einar and Colin got the ball to Jordi on the left and he put the ball forcefully across the area. Sammie drove through the left flank cut into the area but could not finish from a tight angle. Colin had a well taken free kick from 25 out just over the bar. The best chance fell earlier to Fonzi, who received a ball breaking into the box, his powerful finish was well parried by the Frosinone keeper. Frosinone, did not create a threat after the opening 10 mins, and contented themselves with several long range efforts that never had Broach worried.
The Rover goal final came a few minutes after the restart. It was a class goal. The Rovers won the ball around midfield exchange a couple of quick passes, Wiggi carried forward and played a long ball in stride to Baskin on the left flank just outside the box. Baskin’s one-timed a left footed low cross as Pugli was finishing his run to the penalty spot. Pugli slid, meet the ball perfectly and guided to the far lower 90. Rovers 1-0.
It could have been 2 soon afterwards, but Jordi was a little too unselfish in the box trying to feed it though to Pugli. Einar had a good run through and a shot well saved.
But Frosinone would not go away and put away its only serious chance. A forward beat Vidi on an inside turn just inside the area, and he finished it sweetly to the upper 90. Broach did not have a chance. Rovers 1-1.
The ref was allowing play to flow, and as legs got tired the match started to get a little chippy. Where the Rovers lost concentration a few weeks back, this time the stayed focus. Colin’s curled a great ball in to the penalty spot, Fonzi back head flicked it in a parabolic trajectory to the upper 90, only to see the effort bounce off the metal junction. Randi almost arrived to a well placed free kick at the far post. With 5 mins to play, Rovers failed to convert from another free kick from a good spot, only to face one themselves right afterward on a hand ball. When the danger was diffused, the Rovers pushed on for the finale. Jordi found Einar in the middle, he made another run forward, fed Colin just at the right time in the middle of the D, he continued perfectly on to Pugli waiting to pounce on the left. Pugli took one touch in, another to size the keeper and slotted it again to the far post. Rover’s delight and 3 points. Rovers 2-1.
There was hardly time for a restart, and a long clearance to the corner ended the match. Now on to the State and US Open cups.
Team: David Borchard, Mark Kushemba, Sam Wiggin, Vidar Ekehaug, Randi Lee, Colin Marshall, Sam Minaya, Jordan Chirico, Einar Benediktsson, Alfonzo Nanclares, Stephen Pugliese. Subs (all played): Ron Baskin, Andrew George