Result:: Premier 12/7/08 by Kevin O'Donovan

12/7/08
Barnstonworth Premier 3 v Manhattan Kickers 2
Grand St. Field,
Peter Best, 2
Nedgy Nazon, 1 (then ended up in hospital for stitches and lost a tooth!)

We knew we would be in for a physical match against the Kickers. We started brightly and got two quick goals within the first 20 minutes after Carl's header was cleared off the line. The first came after Jeff or Dex? sent a long ball to Nedgy and who controlled, turned and hit looping 20 yard strike from that curled in under the crossbar. The next goal came after a series of several passes down the right side, Kendall's cross found Peter whose powerful shot easily beat the keeper. Then, somewhat against the run of play, Kickers got their first goal when a cross was deflected a few times until their towering striker nodded home from close range. Shortly thereafter, Andy got a second yellow and was sent off with 15 minutes to go in the first half. 2-1 at the half.

Coach Daly inserted himself at sweeper and we tried to hold down the fort. After a short spell of withstanding the pressure, Kickers equalized on a rocket volley from the top of the box. Somehow, then, our players played like we had 11 men instead of 10, pressing forward and while leaving ourselves exposed at the back, we managed to retain some possession. It came to fruition when the irrepressible Duane soloed past their defense as well as the keeper who had no choice but to take him down. Spot kick to Rovers. Peter stepped up, went to his right, the keeper blocked but Peter calmly slotted the rebound in for the winner. We've got Silver Lake next week and we'll be looking to make amends for the 4-1 loss to them earlier this Fall.

Squad: Kevin, Jeff, Carl, Andy, Will, Marc, Dex, Lex, Maurice, Kendall, Duane, Nedgy, Peter, Adrian, Fike, Chiv