Premier 11/16/08 - o30's State Cup Rd 2 - by Kevnin O'Donovan

Barnstonworth Premier 1 v Istria FC (LISFL)4
Forest Hills HS (Marlon Johnson)


Premier had the misfortune to draw the 2007 State Cup Champs and perennial LISFL powerhouse Istria. But if there was a time to play them, it seemed like now was a good a time as any. Premier was in good form with most players making the games and Istria with only a .500 record this season. And on cue, we had 18 people show up for the match! Only on extremely rare occasions do you have to fill out the entire lineup sheet.


From the opening kickoff and for the first 20 minutes, Istria had us under pressure as we struggled to get possession. They were skillful in the midfield and played quick 1- and 2-touch football. Istria scored on their first good chance when a low cross to the penalty spot was just within reach of Carl but no match for the well-timed run of their striker whose left-footed strike left Kevin with no chance. As often happens, the goal put some life into us and we began to play with more speed and conviction. Not long after a nicely weighted through ball from Pompey? found Nedgy, onside he says, who quickly turned and slotted the ball into the back of the net. However, the ref said he was offside. We finally equalized when an excellent sequence of 6 passes worked the ball around the back to Duane on the left flank who streaked down the line and fed Marlon in the 6 yard box. Marlon held off the challenge of the defender and tapped home. 1-1 at the half.


The second half saw Istria regain the upper hand and they put us under sustained pressure and created several good chances. We defended well but did not create too many chances, the best of which was Nedgy's lob over the keeper that narrowly missed. The match was tied until the 75th minute when on an Istria set piece, the ball came across goal, yours truly called for it and probably would have had it but I let it go thinking it would go wide. They had a guy sneak in beyond the back stick who headed back across goal for an easy tap in by their striker. Martino had this guy marked but I imagine he let up thinking I would punch clear. Istria soon had their third when they virtually passed the ball into the back of the net after 6 or 7 passes. Down 3-1, Marc pushed up with a third striker and not longer after Istria had their fourth and nearly more. And so to put a positive spin on the defeat, we were in it with a chance to win until late in the match despite having less possession and creating far fewer chances than our opponents. Now its back to league play against Guyana B.


Squad: Kevin, Carl, Dex, Will, Martino, Chivon, Yogi, Pompey, Lex, Peter, Kendall, Nedgy, Marlon, Duane, Bash, Fike, Maurice, Marc