Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 0 C.D. Iberia 1
An uncharacteristic goalkeeping error led to the lone goal of the match and gave Iberia 3 points and revenge against the Rovers. The Rovers matched or bettered Iberia in every aspect, except where it counted, the score. Unable to find the last touch, the Rovers squandered several clear chances.
Much improved Iberia got their lucky break in the first 3 minutes and before the Rovers (and Iberia late arrivals could take the field). Their PR Islanders pacy winger, cut inside, found himself in the Rover D and tried his luck. The football gods were with him, and the ball took a funny bounce and squeezed under the diving Broach, who was almost in disbelief. Rovers 0-1.
But the Rovers could have righted the ship in the first half. Pugli, a late arrival, received a ball in the area where his usually deadly touch would have tied the match, but this time it steered wide. And Jordi put in a cross to the far post where Oren should have finished. Colin had a free kick that went just over the bar.
The second half the scenario remained the same. Much of the play was a stalemate in the middle, with the Rovers having the initiative and the clearer chances. Their final one came when they were awarded a free kick inside the D. A curling shot that looked like it would dip in just sailed wide and the points went to Iberia
Team: Dave Borchard, Ron Baskin, Randi Lee, Vidar Ekehaug, Sam Wiggins, Sam Minaya, Andy Abramovits, Colin Marshall, Jordan Chirico, Einar Benedktsson, Oren Nhaissi. Subs (all played) Stephen Pugliese, Alfonso Nanclares, Andrew George
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Results: Reserves 10/26/08 vs CD Iberia Res
Barnstonworth Rovers Res 2 C.D. Iberia Res 2
Again only 10 reserves led 1-0 and then got a wonderful last minute equalize from back-up keeper Mat Kaplan to get a point from Iberia. Stavros converted a first half penalty putting the Rovers ahead for his 50th club goal. It took 13 years for the first Rover 50 goal scorer (for whom some goals are still in doubt), now the 1/Res squad had 3 in with Ron Baskin (56 and top club scorere), Stephen Pugliese 55 (all of them for the 1st team).
Team: Bobby DeLeonibus, Matthew Kaplan, Hirofumi Takeuchi, Andrew George, David Ferguson, Daniel Cardozo, Stavros Zomopoulos, Yannick James, Austin Harris, Samuel Minaya, Vilhelm Klareskov
Again only 10 reserves led 1-0 and then got a wonderful last minute equalize from back-up keeper Mat Kaplan to get a point from Iberia. Stavros converted a first half penalty putting the Rovers ahead for his 50th club goal. It took 13 years for the first Rover 50 goal scorer (for whom some goals are still in doubt), now the 1/Res squad had 3 in with Ron Baskin (56 and top club scorere), Stephen Pugliese 55 (all of them for the 1st team).
Team: Bobby DeLeonibus, Matthew Kaplan, Hirofumi Takeuchi, Andrew George, David Ferguson, Daniel Cardozo, Stavros Zomopoulos, Yannick James, Austin Harris, Samuel Minaya, Vilhelm Klareskov
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Ladies Rovers’ unbeaten run comes to an end - By Nicolas
A hard fought, very high level game saw Rovers 1 go down 2 goals in
the last minutes of their game against the New York Magic Reserve.
With 15 players on the roster, the ladies of Rovers 1 had answered
present for their challenge against the (until then) 2d team of the
league and always impressively solid NY Magic reserve. Being 2 points
off the Magics in the league, the pressure was on the Rovers to
defend their first place. And the spectator that I was would be lying
if he didn't say that you could see our ladies feeling that pressure
on the field every now and then.
On the whole, the game proved a classic between 2 schools of soccer.
The Magic Rovers had opted for a boring if terribly efficient
defensive game in the catenaccio style, combined with long deep balls
to its point striker and the counters that went with it (or basic old
school kick and run as I like to call it). On the Rovers side, the
emphasis was on style and building up the game through the midfield
with a fluid and flexible 3-5-2 and connecting passing game. The
result on the field was one where the Rovers controlled the ball most
of the time but couldn't get through/ Brynne, Kaitlinn, Abby, Shelly,
Kelli and Laura in particular were moving the ball smoothly
alternating efficiently long and short passes to move up the field
but the forwards, be it Courtney, Pam of Jennifer were rarely in a
position to do something else than play anchor. Getting through was
proving in credibly hard. As soon as they recovered the ball, the
Magics where similarly efficient in going for the long pass and
countering in fast if not classy way, ending up, on average, more
often in dangerous offensive positions. At the back, Natalie, Katie,
Bryant, Susan and Mary, in turn were holding the fort and working
hard to recover every ball. Jessie wasn't left to her own and timed a
couple of perfect runs in the first half, combined a good dive to the
right to keep her goal clean for the first 45 minutes.
The second half started like the first one with both teams pretty
much canceling each others for 10 minutes with the Rovers maintaining
their control of the ball. That was until the referee decided that
the Magics needed a boost up the field. Now, like many of us, I have
had my rants against referees. Still, I cannot help being terribly
dismayed when a referee entrusted with a game of such high quality
and high stakes falls for the oldest tricks in the book, or worse,
shows plain partiality for the "better known" team and the obnoxious
noisy crowd of soccer parents (note: apparently it is ok to still be
a soccer mom and dad when you kids have left college, who would have
known. I wonder if they get chocolate milk after the game too…). All
the sudden, the referee started calling foul after foul against the
Rovers for every single Magic player tripping on their own feet or on
the ball, while the Magics' systematic holding of shirts, pulling and
pushing was not ever sanctioned. As usually happens when a referee
cannot keep control of the game, the Magics got the message quickly
and got more aggressive while the Rovers grew nervous and lost their
composure and their touch. 15 minutes and 5 dangerous and undeserved
free kicks later, Abby rebelled against a few too many elbow kicks in
the face and impatiently pushed back her thuggish opponent. While the
ensuing yellow card was understandable, one still wonders why the
Magic player who slide tackled Kaitlinn from behind, both feet
forward 2 minutes later only got a verbal warning from the ref, or
why the player who pulled Susan back by her shirt while she was
alone, on her way to the goal, just after that was never even called
for it. 30 minutes in the second half, a counter that didn't look
that threatening saw the ball crossed from the far left side of the
field and a Magic player squeeze in between 2 defenders to slide the
ball just past Jessie. Rovers 0 - Magic reserve 1. The goal acted
like a wake up call for the Rovers who recovered their focus and
besieged the Magic third, getting themselves 3 corner kicks in less
than 10 minutes. The Magics are not a team you want to be behind in a
game though. Nor one against which you can afford to blunder three
favorable corner kicks. Great defending from the Magics limited
furthermore the Rovers to strike from a distance and three great
kicks from Susan landed just wide of the Magic goal. As in those
games that make us hate soccer as much as we can love it, one single
counter was then enough for the Magics to end up in a perfect scoring
position and kill the game with less than 45 seconds to go. In the
old duel between efficiency and beauty, efficiency won on Sunday.
Final score: Rovers 0 – Magic reserve 2.
Rovers 1 are now 1 single point beyond the Magic reserve in the
league and the season will be all the more thrilling from the
challenger's position.
the last minutes of their game against the New York Magic Reserve.
With 15 players on the roster, the ladies of Rovers 1 had answered
present for their challenge against the (until then) 2d team of the
league and always impressively solid NY Magic reserve. Being 2 points
off the Magics in the league, the pressure was on the Rovers to
defend their first place. And the spectator that I was would be lying
if he didn't say that you could see our ladies feeling that pressure
on the field every now and then.
On the whole, the game proved a classic between 2 schools of soccer.
The Magic Rovers had opted for a boring if terribly efficient
defensive game in the catenaccio style, combined with long deep balls
to its point striker and the counters that went with it (or basic old
school kick and run as I like to call it). On the Rovers side, the
emphasis was on style and building up the game through the midfield
with a fluid and flexible 3-5-2 and connecting passing game. The
result on the field was one where the Rovers controlled the ball most
of the time but couldn't get through/ Brynne, Kaitlinn, Abby, Shelly,
Kelli and Laura in particular were moving the ball smoothly
alternating efficiently long and short passes to move up the field
but the forwards, be it Courtney, Pam of Jennifer were rarely in a
position to do something else than play anchor. Getting through was
proving in credibly hard. As soon as they recovered the ball, the
Magics where similarly efficient in going for the long pass and
countering in fast if not classy way, ending up, on average, more
often in dangerous offensive positions. At the back, Natalie, Katie,
Bryant, Susan and Mary, in turn were holding the fort and working
hard to recover every ball. Jessie wasn't left to her own and timed a
couple of perfect runs in the first half, combined a good dive to the
right to keep her goal clean for the first 45 minutes.
The second half started like the first one with both teams pretty
much canceling each others for 10 minutes with the Rovers maintaining
their control of the ball. That was until the referee decided that
the Magics needed a boost up the field. Now, like many of us, I have
had my rants against referees. Still, I cannot help being terribly
dismayed when a referee entrusted with a game of such high quality
and high stakes falls for the oldest tricks in the book, or worse,
shows plain partiality for the "better known" team and the obnoxious
noisy crowd of soccer parents (note: apparently it is ok to still be
a soccer mom and dad when you kids have left college, who would have
known. I wonder if they get chocolate milk after the game too…). All
the sudden, the referee started calling foul after foul against the
Rovers for every single Magic player tripping on their own feet or on
the ball, while the Magics' systematic holding of shirts, pulling and
pushing was not ever sanctioned. As usually happens when a referee
cannot keep control of the game, the Magics got the message quickly
and got more aggressive while the Rovers grew nervous and lost their
composure and their touch. 15 minutes and 5 dangerous and undeserved
free kicks later, Abby rebelled against a few too many elbow kicks in
the face and impatiently pushed back her thuggish opponent. While the
ensuing yellow card was understandable, one still wonders why the
Magic player who slide tackled Kaitlinn from behind, both feet
forward 2 minutes later only got a verbal warning from the ref, or
why the player who pulled Susan back by her shirt while she was
alone, on her way to the goal, just after that was never even called
for it. 30 minutes in the second half, a counter that didn't look
that threatening saw the ball crossed from the far left side of the
field and a Magic player squeeze in between 2 defenders to slide the
ball just past Jessie. Rovers 0 - Magic reserve 1. The goal acted
like a wake up call for the Rovers who recovered their focus and
besieged the Magic third, getting themselves 3 corner kicks in less
than 10 minutes. The Magics are not a team you want to be behind in a
game though. Nor one against which you can afford to blunder three
favorable corner kicks. Great defending from the Magics limited
furthermore the Rovers to strike from a distance and three great
kicks from Susan landed just wide of the Magic goal. As in those
games that make us hate soccer as much as we can love it, one single
counter was then enough for the Magics to end up in a perfect scoring
position and kill the game with less than 45 seconds to go. In the
old duel between efficiency and beauty, efficiency won on Sunday.
Final score: Rovers 0 – Magic reserve 2.
Rovers 1 are now 1 single point beyond the Magic reserve in the
league and the season will be all the more thrilling from the
challenger's position.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Results: Ladies1 - 10/19/08 State Cup Rd 1
Rovers 1 easily through first round of the State Cup.
Appletown players must start wondering what it is with the Rovers and the number 8. After R2D2 beat them 8-0 a few week's back, it was Rovers 1's turn this weekend to slot 8 pass Appletwon's goalie. It was one of these games of many goals but little to create a good story.
A big shout out to Shawn and Bryant for stepping up and playing goalie in the absence of Jessie. It was proabbly one of the easiest 45 minutes thos etwo will ever spend in between the posts. After about 30 shots, Rovers 1 finally put one in when Abby took a corner and Bryant headed it past the goalie... then the flood gates opened. 3 goals from Abby. 3 goals from Kaitlin, 1 from Allison and 1 from Susan.
Final score: 8 - 0.
Rovers 1 goes on to meet the NY Magic Reserve in the next round of the Cup. Oh, wait, they also meet them next Sunday in the League. 2 huge games coming ladies!
Appletown players must start wondering what it is with the Rovers and the number 8. After R2D2 beat them 8-0 a few week's back, it was Rovers 1's turn this weekend to slot 8 pass Appletwon's goalie. It was one of these games of many goals but little to create a good story.
A big shout out to Shawn and Bryant for stepping up and playing goalie in the absence of Jessie. It was proabbly one of the easiest 45 minutes thos etwo will ever spend in between the posts. After about 30 shots, Rovers 1 finally put one in when Abby took a corner and Bryant headed it past the goalie... then the flood gates opened. 3 goals from Abby. 3 goals from Kaitlin, 1 from Allison and 1 from Susan.
Final score: 8 - 0.
Rovers 1 goes on to meet the NY Magic Reserve in the next round of the Cup. Oh, wait, they also meet them next Sunday in the League. 2 huge games coming ladies!
Results: Reserves 10/19/08 State Cup Rd 1
Barnstonworth Rovers Res. 7 Franklin Square (LISFL) 3
The Reserves have started and played 2 matches short-handed this season. They are the only 2 matches they have won this season, coincidentally with the same score. Sunday the 10 Reserves, without a keeper, did the business, even after falling behind early 1-0 to this very bad LISFL team. Most intriguingly the Reserves win coupled with the 3rd win earlier on Sunday sets up a Rover vs Rover 2nd round cup tie on November 16 !!!
The match does not merit commentary other than to praise the work ethic of the 10 players, and that they actually played football shorthanded. They made the opponents chase the ball all over the park and it was the telling difference. Yannick got 2, Stavros another 2, Stash, Carabano and Simon rounded up the scorers.
Team: Stephan Lysak, Hirofumi Takeuchi, Vilhelm Klareskov, Andrew George, Stavros Zomopoulos, Stash Rutkowski, Simon Caton, David Ferguson, Alex Carabano, Yannick James
The Reserves have started and played 2 matches short-handed this season. They are the only 2 matches they have won this season, coincidentally with the same score. Sunday the 10 Reserves, without a keeper, did the business, even after falling behind early 1-0 to this very bad LISFL team. Most intriguingly the Reserves win coupled with the 3rd win earlier on Sunday sets up a Rover vs Rover 2nd round cup tie on November 16 !!!
The match does not merit commentary other than to praise the work ethic of the 10 players, and that they actually played football shorthanded. They made the opponents chase the ball all over the park and it was the telling difference. Yannick got 2, Stavros another 2, Stash, Carabano and Simon rounded up the scorers.
Team: Stephan Lysak, Hirofumi Takeuchi, Vilhelm Klareskov, Andrew George, Stavros Zomopoulos, Stash Rutkowski, Simon Caton, David Ferguson, Alex Carabano, Yannick James
Results: Firsts 10/19/08 State Cup Rd 1
Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 2 NY West Indies Utd (LISFL) 1
Match abandoned due to light 60’ min
Randall’s Island reconstruction administration conspired to stop the Rovers from sealing their 2nd round spot by 30 mins when the lights at the stadium failed to turn on ! The islanders scored in their first foray in the Rover with a tap in in the far post. Rovers 0-1. Then normal service resumed as Colin tied the tie with a well taken penalty, and Pugli shortly afterwards put the Rovers ahead with a clinical finish inside the box. Rovers 2-1. It should have been 5-1 by the time seeing the ball become the main issue, but a couple of bad touches in the area kept the Rovers from pulling away. What will happened with the other 30 mins, nobody knows.
Team: Dave Borchard, Vidar Ekehaug, Jon Nessa, Randi Lee, Ron Baskin, Colin Marshall, Jordan Chirico, Sam Minaya, Andy Abramovits, Oren Nhaissi, Stephen Pugliese.
Results: R2D2 - 10/19/08 State Cup Rd 1
R2D2: Rovers not Divers - By Nicolas
R2D2 goes down in penalty shoot out after thrilling 2-2 (1-3) tie against a water polo team.
The Sirens are one of these teams that can go from being very solid to being below average, depending on their line up and their ability to fool the referee with systematic diving. R2D2 had suffered a very unlikely defeat against them in November 07 only to sweep them under the artificial turf a few months later in the Spring. Considering the Sirens's very average record this season though, it was with a prudent confidence that R2D2 stepped on the Pier 40 field at 9:10 pm on Sunday. Note to all of you out there: its getting really cold for evening games right now so bring your blanket and some mulled wine if you ever have to go watch one.
R2D2 took early control of the game with great passing between the back and midfield lines. The size of the Pier 40 pitch was however making it difficult to progress as far up the field as we wanted (you can easily fit 2 Randall's field in one Pier 40 field and the transition from one to the other is quite a shock). Having developed a fantastic game of quick short passes to the feet over the past 6 games, the ladies were a little disoriented with the space to cover. The midfield line was often playing too low leaving the strikers too far from the Sirens' goal to be a real threat. Little by little, though, we pushed the game up with Caroline using the stopper position to move up through the middle and Bridget recovering deep balls and setting up Dani and Courtney on the back flanks. The action focused for a while on the right side of the field were Emily was working her ass off covering distance and cutting through the defense with her trademark right to left move. About 15 minutes in, a quick passing combination on the right side saw Lindsay who had cut right from her offensive mid position, receive a ball on the goal line. In the corner of her eye she saw Kerri piercing diagonally through the defense, delivered a perfect assist to the top of the penalty box which Kerri struck in one time. R2D2 1-Sirens 0 and 6 goals for Kerri in 3 games. For the next 12 to 15 minutes, R2D2 kept on bringing the danger in front of the Sirens' goal but without being able to conclude. Lissa, Amy and Emily, time after time managed to run into space to receive wide balls down the field and cross them in the box. The Sirens were however very disciplined in their defending and we were just too slow in delivering the last passes allowing them to close down on us. The story was the same through the middle were we too often got stuck with the ball not having any space to move it in or to take a shot. For their part, the Sirens were mostly playing the counter and playing it smart. As we were fighting to fight a way through the defense time and again, our midfield slowly lost its positioning and got pulled really far up the field, leaving huge gaps in the center. The sirens were using these to outnumber us in quick counters. With the pressure on them the defense lost a bit of its passing accuracy and of its positioning. A missed clearance landed in the feet of Leslie about 25 yards out (Leslie we are sorry the roster was full and we could not sign you up – maybe next season? – please don't take any of the comments about the Sirens personally, we didn't see you dive once and we know you are not a whiner, plus that goal was great, thank god Emily scored one too to balance the roommates count) who struck a powerful high ball which dipped just under the bar. Emily (the other one, our star goalie) had managed to grow about 3 inches for a formidable flying save last week but this one was just too high and she just couldn't jump high enough to stop it. R2D2 1 – Sirens 1. Shaken but not stirred, R2D2 reacted and launched a series of attack in the last 10 minutes. Most noticeably, a give and go between Bridget, Caroline and Courtney launched Bridget down the left flank, another give and go with the midfield and she was all the way down the line before being literally pushed out of bounds with both hands by a defender who the proceeded to kick the ball in a corner. Amazingly, Bridget not only managed to stay on her feet after the obvious foul but did not even start crying and whining. Even more amazingly the foul was thus never called. Note to R2D2: yes it is true, one does not get free kick in some of these games without falling and crying but admit it ladies, it feels so much better to know we can actually stand on our feet without tripping ourselves…
Half time break was used to reinsert discipline in the formation and tighten up the midfield and fill the gaps on the pitch. And it worked perfectly. For over 30 minutes, R2D2 got about 75 % possession of the ball. In the center, Steph was having the game of her Rovers' career, owning the space like it was hers and recovering every single ball, pairing highly efficiently with Lindsay and Lauren. On the right side, Mary, Emily and Amy were exploding the Sirens' full back, getting through every single time and allowing Lara and Kerri to isolate themselves in front of the goal. Yet again we were holding to the ball just too long and cutting it back across the box after the Sirens had had the time to regroup. A quick word to Amy and Emily from the sidelines and the next give and go brought Amy and the full back to the corner spot while Emily cut left from the far right of the field towards the right top corner of the box. Faking a cross Amy passed the ball back to Emily in the opened space, one touch control on the 18 yards line and Emily curled a perfect left foot through the defense, across the goal and into the small side of the net. R2D2 2 – Sirens 1. Less than 2 minutes later Amy gave the perfect assist through two defenders to Kerri who was coming in diagonally on the blind side of the defense. Kerri took it on her own, drove it down towards the goal but hurried a little her shot as she was being roughly sandwiched and the goalie managed to catch it. With about 10 minutes to go, the Sirens decided to give the game their guts and the rest. It was an impressive display of will and we would honestly have praised them for their attempt to comeback in the game it had they remembered that we were playing soccer and not a mix of water polo and cry baby cry game. Alright I admit, I am a little bitter but still, one has rarely seen so much whining and moaning and rolling around in such a little time. The Sirens' bench made up of 5 loud guys was helping its suddenly falling players by constantly calling for fouls and bullying the ref who was about 5 yards away from them. The recipe is as old as the game: foul, trip, push your opponent but then dive immediately behind it so as to make believe you were fouled, and preferably do it as a pack an just in front of the box or even inside it. And boy did they dive. And boy did they moan. And boy did the referee fall for it. All the sudden, it was raining Sirens. R2D2 confused by the blatantness of the cheating and the weakness of the ref lost a bit of its composure. In less than 8 minutes, the Sirens managed to fool the referee into obtaining 5 very dangerous and completely ludicrous free kicks. With less than 2 minutes left, the fifth free kick proved worth the ugly game and the Sirens equalized. R2D2 2,- Sirens 2. R2D2 rushed back and managed to construct 3 attacks in the last seconds of the game and Caroline last shot of the game just very nearly nearly nearly got us the win but missed the post by just inches. Up to penalty kicks it was and let's just say we need to practice those. At the end of the game, the referee who had been pretty good up to the last 10 minutes of the game, looking guilty as sin and very embarrassed came to me and apologized for the free kicks he gave away…. Do I need to say more?
R2D2, the league game against the Sirens is on the 9th of November at New Utrecht at 1 pm. You know what to do.
Line up: Emily B, Bridget, Courtney, Daniele, Mary, Caroline, Steph, Lauren, Lindsay, Lissa, Emily, Amy, Kerri, Lara.
R2D2 goes down in penalty shoot out after thrilling 2-2 (1-3) tie against a water polo team.
The Sirens are one of these teams that can go from being very solid to being below average, depending on their line up and their ability to fool the referee with systematic diving. R2D2 had suffered a very unlikely defeat against them in November 07 only to sweep them under the artificial turf a few months later in the Spring. Considering the Sirens's very average record this season though, it was with a prudent confidence that R2D2 stepped on the Pier 40 field at 9:10 pm on Sunday. Note to all of you out there: its getting really cold for evening games right now so bring your blanket and some mulled wine if you ever have to go watch one.
R2D2 took early control of the game with great passing between the back and midfield lines. The size of the Pier 40 pitch was however making it difficult to progress as far up the field as we wanted (you can easily fit 2 Randall's field in one Pier 40 field and the transition from one to the other is quite a shock). Having developed a fantastic game of quick short passes to the feet over the past 6 games, the ladies were a little disoriented with the space to cover. The midfield line was often playing too low leaving the strikers too far from the Sirens' goal to be a real threat. Little by little, though, we pushed the game up with Caroline using the stopper position to move up through the middle and Bridget recovering deep balls and setting up Dani and Courtney on the back flanks. The action focused for a while on the right side of the field were Emily was working her ass off covering distance and cutting through the defense with her trademark right to left move. About 15 minutes in, a quick passing combination on the right side saw Lindsay who had cut right from her offensive mid position, receive a ball on the goal line. In the corner of her eye she saw Kerri piercing diagonally through the defense, delivered a perfect assist to the top of the penalty box which Kerri struck in one time. R2D2 1-Sirens 0 and 6 goals for Kerri in 3 games. For the next 12 to 15 minutes, R2D2 kept on bringing the danger in front of the Sirens' goal but without being able to conclude. Lissa, Amy and Emily, time after time managed to run into space to receive wide balls down the field and cross them in the box. The Sirens were however very disciplined in their defending and we were just too slow in delivering the last passes allowing them to close down on us. The story was the same through the middle were we too often got stuck with the ball not having any space to move it in or to take a shot. For their part, the Sirens were mostly playing the counter and playing it smart. As we were fighting to fight a way through the defense time and again, our midfield slowly lost its positioning and got pulled really far up the field, leaving huge gaps in the center. The sirens were using these to outnumber us in quick counters. With the pressure on them the defense lost a bit of its passing accuracy and of its positioning. A missed clearance landed in the feet of Leslie about 25 yards out (Leslie we are sorry the roster was full and we could not sign you up – maybe next season? – please don't take any of the comments about the Sirens personally, we didn't see you dive once and we know you are not a whiner, plus that goal was great, thank god Emily scored one too to balance the roommates count) who struck a powerful high ball which dipped just under the bar. Emily (the other one, our star goalie) had managed to grow about 3 inches for a formidable flying save last week but this one was just too high and she just couldn't jump high enough to stop it. R2D2 1 – Sirens 1. Shaken but not stirred, R2D2 reacted and launched a series of attack in the last 10 minutes. Most noticeably, a give and go between Bridget, Caroline and Courtney launched Bridget down the left flank, another give and go with the midfield and she was all the way down the line before being literally pushed out of bounds with both hands by a defender who the proceeded to kick the ball in a corner. Amazingly, Bridget not only managed to stay on her feet after the obvious foul but did not even start crying and whining. Even more amazingly the foul was thus never called. Note to R2D2: yes it is true, one does not get free kick in some of these games without falling and crying but admit it ladies, it feels so much better to know we can actually stand on our feet without tripping ourselves…
Half time break was used to reinsert discipline in the formation and tighten up the midfield and fill the gaps on the pitch. And it worked perfectly. For over 30 minutes, R2D2 got about 75 % possession of the ball. In the center, Steph was having the game of her Rovers' career, owning the space like it was hers and recovering every single ball, pairing highly efficiently with Lindsay and Lauren. On the right side, Mary, Emily and Amy were exploding the Sirens' full back, getting through every single time and allowing Lara and Kerri to isolate themselves in front of the goal. Yet again we were holding to the ball just too long and cutting it back across the box after the Sirens had had the time to regroup. A quick word to Amy and Emily from the sidelines and the next give and go brought Amy and the full back to the corner spot while Emily cut left from the far right of the field towards the right top corner of the box. Faking a cross Amy passed the ball back to Emily in the opened space, one touch control on the 18 yards line and Emily curled a perfect left foot through the defense, across the goal and into the small side of the net. R2D2 2 – Sirens 1. Less than 2 minutes later Amy gave the perfect assist through two defenders to Kerri who was coming in diagonally on the blind side of the defense. Kerri took it on her own, drove it down towards the goal but hurried a little her shot as she was being roughly sandwiched and the goalie managed to catch it. With about 10 minutes to go, the Sirens decided to give the game their guts and the rest. It was an impressive display of will and we would honestly have praised them for their attempt to comeback in the game it had they remembered that we were playing soccer and not a mix of water polo and cry baby cry game. Alright I admit, I am a little bitter but still, one has rarely seen so much whining and moaning and rolling around in such a little time. The Sirens' bench made up of 5 loud guys was helping its suddenly falling players by constantly calling for fouls and bullying the ref who was about 5 yards away from them. The recipe is as old as the game: foul, trip, push your opponent but then dive immediately behind it so as to make believe you were fouled, and preferably do it as a pack an just in front of the box or even inside it. And boy did they dive. And boy did they moan. And boy did the referee fall for it. All the sudden, it was raining Sirens. R2D2 confused by the blatantness of the cheating and the weakness of the ref lost a bit of its composure. In less than 8 minutes, the Sirens managed to fool the referee into obtaining 5 very dangerous and completely ludicrous free kicks. With less than 2 minutes left, the fifth free kick proved worth the ugly game and the Sirens equalized. R2D2 2,- Sirens 2. R2D2 rushed back and managed to construct 3 attacks in the last seconds of the game and Caroline last shot of the game just very nearly nearly nearly got us the win but missed the post by just inches. Up to penalty kicks it was and let's just say we need to practice those. At the end of the game, the referee who had been pretty good up to the last 10 minutes of the game, looking guilty as sin and very embarrassed came to me and apologized for the free kicks he gave away…. Do I need to say more?
R2D2, the league game against the Sirens is on the 9th of November at New Utrecht at 1 pm. You know what to do.
Line up: Emily B, Bridget, Courtney, Daniele, Mary, Caroline, Steph, Lauren, Lindsay, Lissa, Emily, Amy, Kerri, Lara.
Results: Marth State Cup 10/19/09 - Barnstonworth Premier
Sun 10-19-08 10am - Locust Valley HS
Oyster Bay 2 - Barnstonworth Premier4
by Chivon Thornhill / Marc Daly
by Chivon Thornhill / Marc Daly
Goals Scorers for Premier
1 - Own Goal
2 - Nedgy Nazon
3 - Steve Christopher
4 - Kendell Villoreal
Big win yesterday. Congrats to the entire Premier team for it's first State Cup victory.
Great team effort and result! Chivon: nice job in goal!
Great team effort and result! Chivon: nice job in goal!
We are beginning to fire on all cylinders now. The 4-4-2 worked well.
The only aspects to our game that we need to work on are the following:
1. Work rate in the midfield: I know I sound like a broken record on this point, but we need to recover defensively in the midfield as a first layer shield for the defense.
2. Goal scoring: we need to score at least 75% of our breakaways. We have phenomenal team speed and we need to capitalize on it.
3. Positive communication: we had a mini on-field episode in the second half that needs to be corrected. I don't mind a brief verbal skirmish, but we have to end it quickly. In the best case scenario, we need to eliminate the negativity, but that's not practical so we need to cut it short and move on quickly.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Barnstonworth Rovers Thirds (4) - Jamaica Port -LIFSL- (0), 10/19/08
Rovers Thirds win their first Cup game in their short history by defeating LIFSL's Jamaica Port Reserves 4-0.
From the first whistle, Rovers took control of the game, moving the ball well in the midfield and playing keep away for the first 15-20 minutes of the game, yet failed to create any clear chances. That all changed when Brown picked up a long cross from Garro and first timed it with a powerful toe-ball to place it right next to the post and put Rovers up 1-0. Five minutes later, Gonzalez Casares volleyed a rebound right outside the box that would have surely gone in had it not been by the hand of their defender stopping it mid way. Rowley took the penalty to put Rovers up by two. The rest of the half saw the Thirds continue with the game's dominance, hardly creating any work for its defense. Rowley could have broaden the score, but hit the post after
dribbling around four defenders in the box and shooting just past the goalkeeper.
Rovers third goal came quickly, after Brown put another powerful foot on a bouncing ball in the box. After that, the second half was more of the same, though Jamaica managed to create a couple of somewhat dangerous attacks, well averted by Rubin and the defense. A couple of minutes before the end, Brown completed his hat-tick by putting the finishing touch to a lovely play that saw Garro recover the ball in
the midfield and dribble past two opponents to then release to Brown, who quickly put it through to Gonzalez Casares to get it back with just a tap-in needed. 4-0 Rovers. Stellar performance and first Cup win after two years of going home in the first round. Could the Rovers Reserves be waiting for them in the second round?
Thirds: Rubin, Schlatter, Kilfedder, Wine and Crane; Brown, Garro, Bernfeld and Arceneaux; Gonzalez Casares and Rowley.
Subs (all played): Mackers, Dirolf and Obudulu.
From the first whistle, Rovers took control of the game, moving the ball well in the midfield and playing keep away for the first 15-20 minutes of the game, yet failed to create any clear chances. That all changed when Brown picked up a long cross from Garro and first timed it with a powerful toe-ball to place it right next to the post and put Rovers up 1-0. Five minutes later, Gonzalez Casares volleyed a rebound right outside the box that would have surely gone in had it not been by the hand of their defender stopping it mid way. Rowley took the penalty to put Rovers up by two. The rest of the half saw the Thirds continue with the game's dominance, hardly creating any work for its defense. Rowley could have broaden the score, but hit the post after
dribbling around four defenders in the box and shooting just past the goalkeeper.
Rovers third goal came quickly, after Brown put another powerful foot on a bouncing ball in the box. After that, the second half was more of the same, though Jamaica managed to create a couple of somewhat dangerous attacks, well averted by Rubin and the defense. A couple of minutes before the end, Brown completed his hat-tick by putting the finishing touch to a lovely play that saw Garro recover the ball in
the midfield and dribble past two opponents to then release to Brown, who quickly put it through to Gonzalez Casares to get it back with just a tap-in needed. 4-0 Rovers. Stellar performance and first Cup win after two years of going home in the first round. Could the Rovers Reserves be waiting for them in the second round?
Thirds: Rubin, Schlatter, Kilfedder, Wine and Crane; Brown, Garro, Bernfeld and Arceneaux; Gonzalez Casares and Rowley.
Subs (all played): Mackers, Dirolf and Obudulu.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Ladies Rovers 1 Win, TOP THE TABLE
Rovers 1 - TOP OF DIVISION 1 TABLE
The ladies from Rovers 1 made it 4 for 4 this weekend with a
comprehensive 6-1 win over the Manhattan Kickers 1st team,
maintaining their lead in the League.
Goals by Pam Spier (x2), Laura Morrison,Jennifer North, Natalie Rud
and Susan Marshall.
R1 vs K1: 6 - 1As Shawn poetically put it "It was a beautiful day for soccer." Rovers 1 came out strong and Brynne set the tone with a killer shot that hit off the crossbar 2 min in. Taking advantage of our diamonds on the field, the defense switched the field and slotted a ball to the forwards who played it back to Laura who put the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-0. A few minutes later a cross from the midfield bounced into the box and Pam shot it over the keepers outstretched arms to make it 2-0. Natalie, up from her normal spot as sweeper, finished off the half with a perfectly placed ball right in the corner. Halftime 3-0.Jenn helped us start out the 2nd half right with a shot from the top of the box. 4-0. Next one of our wings got tackled. Susan took the free kick and found Pam's head waiting at the far post. 5 - 0. Susan finished the Kicker's off 10 minutes later to make it 6-0. Rover 1 remains undefeated!N
A local photographer had the great idea of documenting the game.
Check this link out for some fantastic action pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/setography/sets/72157607993306656/
Look out for Rovers 1 clash against the NY Magic Reserve in 2 weeks
which will most likely turn out to be one of the most important games
of this season.
PS. For those of you who don't know the standings in the women's league, Rovers 1 is leading the first division by two points over NY Magic Reserves (who we're playing in 2 weeks), and R2D2 is in second place in the second division.
anyone who wants to check out the standings can go to http://www.nywomensoccer.org/standings.php
Let's keep it up kiddies!!!
The ladies from Rovers 1 made it 4 for 4 this weekend with a
comprehensive 6-1 win over the Manhattan Kickers 1st team,
maintaining their lead in the League.
Goals by Pam Spier (x2), Laura Morrison,Jennifer North, Natalie Rud
and Susan Marshall.
R1 vs K1: 6 - 1As Shawn poetically put it "It was a beautiful day for soccer." Rovers 1 came out strong and Brynne set the tone with a killer shot that hit off the crossbar 2 min in. Taking advantage of our diamonds on the field, the defense switched the field and slotted a ball to the forwards who played it back to Laura who put the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-0. A few minutes later a cross from the midfield bounced into the box and Pam shot it over the keepers outstretched arms to make it 2-0. Natalie, up from her normal spot as sweeper, finished off the half with a perfectly placed ball right in the corner. Halftime 3-0.Jenn helped us start out the 2nd half right with a shot from the top of the box. 4-0. Next one of our wings got tackled. Susan took the free kick and found Pam's head waiting at the far post. 5 - 0. Susan finished the Kicker's off 10 minutes later to make it 6-0. Rover 1 remains undefeated!N
A local photographer had the great idea of documenting the game.
Check this link out for some fantastic action pictures:
http://www.flickr.
Look out for Rovers 1 clash against the NY Magic Reserve in 2 weeks
which will most likely turn out to be one of the most important games
of this season.
PS. For those of you who don't know the standings in the women's league, Rovers 1 is leading the first division by two points over NY Magic Reserves (who we're playing in 2 weeks), and R2D2 is in second place in the second division.
anyone who wants to check out the standings can go to http://www.nywomensoccer.org/standings.php
Let's keep it up kiddies!!!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Lady Rovers R2D2 - 10/12/08 by Steph Noris
R2D2 3 Smoking Aces 2
After weighing whether or not I should censor R2D2's match report for about 10 seconds, I have the pleasure to give it to you in its full, unrestricted, R-rated form as brilliantly drafted by Steph Norris. For those with kids, the following message contains mature language...You would never know it from reading this but I swear the ladies from R2's can be real ladies too and are definite peaches. This is not to be shared on the website (for reasons which will become obvious quickly enough to the reader)Nicolas
The lovely R2D2's pulled their faces off the bar bathroom floors this past Sunday for the outrageously early morning trek out to Randall's Island. We were there to take on the Smoking Aces who were sitting pretty in third place. (I would like to note that this was just about the only pretty thing about them.) There are way way too many obviously lame comments to make regarding their name, so i will move past the "we put their flame out", or "we instead smoked them", or "we extinguished their fire" remarks (leave me alone, that is my tuesday morning humor) and instead move on to what just may have been the highlight of the game: our ref.For those who weren't there, we had a ref straight out of the 1960s. (think Charlton Heston in Ten Commandments.) Like wrinkled, full grey beard, needed a walking stick. The nice way to put it would be to just say that he was vintage. So Moses had the old school ref thing going - made both teams line up along the sideline before the game and walk in unison out to midfield, then slap five and wish each other good luck. He also insisted on having hippie linesmen (think Leo from that 70s show) to compensate for him not being able to see. Awesome start.SO! on to the game. haha I am going to steal some wording from Caroline who put it much nicer than i would have... "due to grass and field size we had a hard time adjusting"...You know some might say that the high grass threw us into slow mo but I am pretty sure that we are all just such well adjusted city girls that seeing grass had us all a little confused. Nature can be like that.Nonetheless, we dominated the play and didn't crap out when we went down a goal just a few minutes in. We stayed composed and, okay, not necessarily very spread out (it happens) but we had some nice give and gos between full backs and midfield and tied it up on a beautiful corner (from our newest center mid Sandra) which Kerri poked into the net. After her hat trick last weekend, we would have been silly to think that Kerri was done for the day, and few minutes later Kerri burned two of their fullbacks and fired in a really sick shot from just inside the 18 to the opposite low corner. Really great placement and gave us the lead, and Kerri is now the second highest scorer for our division, only one goal behind someone we dont care about who is also probably ugly.Second half was pretty similar to the first - a little bit messy but we remained in control. With about ten minutes left we had one of those oh-so-rare moments of breakdown which let them back into it and it seemed as if the game would end in a draw. Yeah right. No one wanted to make Bridget email Nicolas about a tie.With under 5 on the clock, Rovers stayed focused and ignored their hangovers. A great run from Mary all the way at fullback down the wing where she then dropped the ball back to me still on the far right side of the field. I sent the long through ball across the box (i will pretend it was intended to go exactly where it went sshhh) where Dani outran their excuse for a defender and one touched a very composed shot into the left side of the net, giving us the lead and a few minutes later, the win. Money.Some game highlights:-the ref giving in to all of the Smoking Aces plays from the Cristiano Ronaldo school of diving and whining for prissy little bitches. (can i say bitch in a match report?) oh well. They were crying for calls all over the place and we got called for just about everything. fun.-lissa did a great job playing somewhat out of position as outside mid. nice runs up top from lara and kristin.-bridget waving at the firemen. i have no idea why i found this so entertaining.-caroline and megan not taking any shit in the back from the nosediving Aces (they both have the ball very much imprinted on their legs to prove it)-emily, as per usual, saving our asses, in particular on one amazing save where the girl took a long, really well placed shot that Em had to leap in the air to punch just over the top of the net, ensuring that we retained the lead.-darlene doing 8248192 moves in a row before shooting.-also when darlene very blatantly just shoved their defender down on their endline (i know i told u to chill but seriously that was awesome)-And better still, our Flomax moment of the game........when Sandra told their center mid... "you should stop eating." She is such a peach.R2D2s celebrated the W with a team BBQ courtesy of Courtney and Darlene and Flomax. There were beers, boca burgers (and my own special corner to eat them), some dancing, and for those who hung around to see it, a really "special" show of Court gettin low and a makeover on Miss Jefferson. I know R1 got those action shots taken of them last week, but I think the photos of Kristin doing "the beyonce" really take the cake. Meg got drunk and picked people up, and we all got to play dress up with Kristin's boyfriend. Gooood times, and a big thank you again from everyone to Dar and Court for being such great hosts.. and of course for not giving anyone food poisoning.See you all at practice tonight and please send Nicolas your players points for this match so his bouffant doesnt turn grey!(lineup: Emily, Bridget, Caroline, Mary, Courtney, Megan, Sandra, Me, Darlene, Dani, Lyssa, Kristin, Lara, Kerri)
After weighing whether or not I should censor R2D2's match report for about 10 seconds, I have the pleasure to give it to you in its full, unrestricted, R-rated form as brilliantly drafted by Steph Norris. For those with kids, the following message contains mature language...You would never know it from reading this but I swear the ladies from R2's can be real ladies too and are definite peaches. This is not to be shared on the website (for reasons which will become obvious quickly enough to the reader)Nicolas
The lovely R2D2's pulled their faces off the bar bathroom floors this past Sunday for the outrageously early morning trek out to Randall's Island. We were there to take on the Smoking Aces who were sitting pretty in third place. (I would like to note that this was just about the only pretty thing about them.) There are way way too many obviously lame comments to make regarding their name, so i will move past the "we put their flame out", or "we instead smoked them", or "we extinguished their fire" remarks (leave me alone, that is my tuesday morning humor) and instead move on to what just may have been the highlight of the game: our ref.For those who weren't there, we had a ref straight out of the 1960s. (think Charlton Heston in Ten Commandments.) Like wrinkled, full grey beard, needed a walking stick. The nice way to put it would be to just say that he was vintage. So Moses had the old school ref thing going - made both teams line up along the sideline before the game and walk in unison out to midfield, then slap five and wish each other good luck. He also insisted on having hippie linesmen (think Leo from that 70s show) to compensate for him not being able to see. Awesome start.SO! on to the game. haha I am going to steal some wording from Caroline who put it much nicer than i would have... "due to grass and field size we had a hard time adjusting"...You know some might say that the high grass threw us into slow mo but I am pretty sure that we are all just such well adjusted city girls that seeing grass had us all a little confused. Nature can be like that.Nonetheless, we dominated the play and didn't crap out when we went down a goal just a few minutes in. We stayed composed and, okay, not necessarily very spread out (it happens) but we had some nice give and gos between full backs and midfield and tied it up on a beautiful corner (from our newest center mid Sandra) which Kerri poked into the net. After her hat trick last weekend, we would have been silly to think that Kerri was done for the day, and few minutes later Kerri burned two of their fullbacks and fired in a really sick shot from just inside the 18 to the opposite low corner. Really great placement and gave us the lead, and Kerri is now the second highest scorer for our division, only one goal behind someone we dont care about who is also probably ugly.Second half was pretty similar to the first - a little bit messy but we remained in control. With about ten minutes left we had one of those oh-so-rare moments of breakdown which let them back into it and it seemed as if the game would end in a draw. Yeah right. No one wanted to make Bridget email Nicolas about a tie.With under 5 on the clock, Rovers stayed focused and ignored their hangovers. A great run from Mary all the way at fullback down the wing where she then dropped the ball back to me still on the far right side of the field. I sent the long through ball across the box (i will pretend it was intended to go exactly where it went sshhh) where Dani outran their excuse for a defender and one touched a very composed shot into the left side of the net, giving us the lead and a few minutes later, the win. Money.Some game highlights:-the ref giving in to all of the Smoking Aces plays from the Cristiano Ronaldo school of diving and whining for prissy little bitches. (can i say bitch in a match report?) oh well. They were crying for calls all over the place and we got called for just about everything. fun.-lissa did a great job playing somewhat out of position as outside mid. nice runs up top from lara and kristin.-bridget waving at the firemen. i have no idea why i found this so entertaining.-caroline and megan not taking any shit in the back from the nosediving Aces (they both have the ball very much imprinted on their legs to prove it)-emily, as per usual, saving our asses, in particular on one amazing save where the girl took a long, really well placed shot that Em had to leap in the air to punch just over the top of the net, ensuring that we retained the lead.-darlene doing 8248192 moves in a row before shooting.-also when darlene very blatantly just shoved their defender down on their endline (i know i told u to chill but seriously that was awesome)-And better still, our Flomax moment of the game........when Sandra told their center mid... "you should stop eating." She is such a peach.R2D2s celebrated the W with a team BBQ courtesy of Courtney and Darlene and Flomax. There were beers, boca burgers (and my own special corner to eat them), some dancing, and for those who hung around to see it, a really "special" show of Court gettin low and a makeover on Miss Jefferson. I know R1 got those action shots taken of them last week, but I think the photos of Kristin doing "the beyonce" really take the cake. Meg got drunk and picked people up, and we all got to play dress up with Kristin's boyfriend. Gooood times, and a big thank you again from everyone to Dar and Court for being such great hosts.. and of course for not giving anyone food poisoning.See you all at practice tonight and please send Nicolas your players points for this match so his bouffant doesnt turn grey!(lineup: Emily, Bridget, Caroline, Mary, Courtney, Megan, Sandra, Me, Darlene, Dani, Lyssa, Kristin, Lara, Kerri)
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Results: Firsts 10/5/08 vs Polonia
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
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Results: Firsts 9/28/08 vs FC Bulgaria
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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