Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 2 Polonia S.C. 1
The Rovers rebounded from a trying week with a terrific performance beating high flying Polonia on Polish Parade Day ! Pugli slotted the Rovers ahead after an amazing slicing Einar run through the Polish defense only for the Poles to equalize off – what else – a set play to the far post. But, the Pugli’s striker instinct nodded the points for the Rovers, when he head flicked to the upper 90, Wiggi’s header in the box.
The Rovers were missing both Nessa and Broach due to red card suspensions but still sported a very familiar starting 11. Consistency has been a key factor to the Rovers’s success over the last 12 months, but resilience was what was needed after dropping points to the league cellar dwellers Bulgaria for the 2nd straight year. And resilience they showed.
From the start, Polonia could not match the Rovers passing game, and was intent on a start and stop match relying on set pieces to create their chances. Contrarily, when the Rovers passed the ball on the ground with pace and speed, they were creating havoc in the 6’ 2” Polonia defense. Pugli had a chance to put the Rovers up early but he did not connect well from Jordi’s cross. Andy, though, had the best chance of the half, when another Jordi cross skipped to the far post where Andy was arriving. Unfortunately, the ball bounced a little high surprising Andy and leaving the tie unchanged. Polonia replied with a couple of long range efforts, a far post header from a corner, but really threatened only when a Rover defender turned the ball over in the final third before recovering with a strong shoulder challenge to end the hazard.
The Firsts returned in the 2nd half determined to play at a higher tempo, move the ball around, and attack the weak flanks in the Polonia defense. Einar, with one of his finest performance as a Rover, constantly destabilized the opposition back line darting around them. Vidi and Colin held the midfield and won the ball back for the Rovers, starting and supporting the ball movement. And once Jordan got the ball on the right he was able to penetrate and feed balls in the box.
15 mins in the Rovers opened their tally. Vidi led Jodi who fed Einar showing in the middle. He pulled the ball back and around his marker, around a second defender, split the 2 center backs and pushed the ball to Pugli at the 6 all alone. Pugli clinically placed the ball in the far corner, Rover 1-0.
Polonia pushed immediately to strike back. And for the 1st time in the match, the Rovers gave them the chances. The Rovers thwarted the first three of four consecutive free kicks just outside the area. The fourth wend to the towering #14 at the far post 9 meters out. He buried the header leaving Deleonibus no chance. Rovers 1-1.
With 20 remaining, the Rovers did not panic, Polonia clearly was tiring and the Rovers were moving the ball well. Sam had a chance to cut the ball back into Colin’s path but his last touch was blocked. Fonzi had a shot blocked, and Jordi’s cross just failed to find both Colin and Pugli. Then Colin opened to Randi who won a corner. Jordi put the ball in the area, Wiggi got the 1st header and Pugli lurking at the far post six out, lashed and redirected it to the upper 90 stunning the numerous poles chanting “Poloni-a, Poloni-a” since their equalizer. Rovers 2-1.
Rover killed off the match without much worry, showing extreme poise in the last 2 mins, keeping the ball the entire time, stinging a high number of passes. Overall an outstanding performance to righten the ship.
Team: Bobby Deleonibus, Mark Kushemba, Sam Wiggin, Randi Lee, Vidar Ekehaug, Colin Marshall, Andy Abramovits, Oren Nhaissi, Jordan Chirico, Einar Beneditksson, Stephen Pugliese. Subs (played): Alfonzo Nanclares, Sam Minaya, Andrew George (not played) Alex Schardt
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