F.C. Bulgaria 2 Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 1
The Rovers have beaten every team in the league, got results at any ground, except for this 50 by 120 yard lopsided patch of turf and dirt called Francis Lewis HS. For the 3rd time in 2 years the Rovers suffered an unexpected defeat to a far lesser opponent. And lost their central defender to another – 3rd in 3 matches – red card.
This time nothing in the first half could have foretold the ending. The Rovers started bright, dominated and took advantage of the unstable Bulgaria goalkeeper when Jordi struck a free kick from 30 out skipping over him and into the far post. Rovers 1-0.
It should have been 2 soon after when Pugli had a chance tet-a-tet but he placed it wide. Oren was breaking the defense down on the left, and the midfield was compact and with space on the ball. It all pointed to a Rover romp.
But in the 2nd half, the long field, the questionable fitness, allowed Bulgaria to stretch the Firsts and create the counter attack environment that is the only way the could threaten. The Rovers were losing focus when a Bulgaria corner was expertly volleyed to the upper 90 for the equalizer. Rovers 1-1.
And instead of redirecting to regain the lead, the focus shifted on the ref’s calls or lack there of, followed by a bad give-away in the Rover half that resulted in a breakaway. Nessa chassed and had no choice but to pull the shirt of the forward just before he entered the box, stopping the goal scoring opportunity, but receiving his marching orders for a professional last man foul.
Still the Rovers could have easily come out winners even with 10 men. The Reserves had just done it with 9. But the Rovers were ruffled and Bulgaria to everyone’s dismay struck again from another corner. This time to the far post where a bouncing ball and some miscommunication between a new keeper and the defense allowed a Bulgarian striker to nod the ball down and up to the roof of the net. Rovers 1-2.
Yet again, the Firsts could have had a result, but a Pugli placed his curler past the keeper but at the far post, Baskin failed to repeat his brilliant strike of a few week ago this time with an errant finish. And Jodi had a bad touch in the area where a good one would have surely level the score.
In reality though, just not good enough. The Rovers are a class above such teams and should be showing it in a consistent basis, no matter where the match is played.
Team: Bobby Deleonibus, Mark Kushemba, Sam Wiggin, Jon Nessa, Randi Lee, Vidar Ekehaug, Andy Abramovits, Jordan Chirico, Einar Beneditksson, Oren Nhaissi, Stephen Pugliese. Subs (played): Ron Baskin, Alfonzo Nanclares, Sam Minaya
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