Result: Firsts 5/26/06 vs Greek-American Atlas

Barnstonworth Roves F.C. 1 Greek-American Atlas 3

The Rovers failed to revenge their cup exit, falling 3-1 to the Greeks at Pier 40. It was almost an exact repeat. Rovers making the running, the chances, scoring a wrongly disallowed equalizer in the 2nd half, and Atlas going home with the points. After a bright start where Pugli had the opening chance, the Greeks scored from – yet another – direct free kick that fooled Broach. Rovers 0-1.
Andy quickly pulled the Firsts level after a screaming volley to the far post. Rovers 1-1
Before the Rovers could convert a second time, Greeks – you guessed it – scored a second direct free kick. This time a much better executed one, over the wall in the near post. Rovers 1-2.
Rovers, true to form, worked hard to spring Pugli on the left side of the eighteen and slid home the equalizer. Rovers 2-2 ? Well no, this is vs the Greeks, the equalizer never counts. Promptly the linesman, after consultation, signaled the goal off, and restored world order.
And just before the half, with the Rovers still pondering the situation, Atlas scored again after a quick counter, the ball going from one end of the eighteen to the other before it a final criss-crossed shot hit the far side netting. Rovers 1-3.
The second half saw the Rovers push, although mostly without conviction. Colin struck an incredible side 2 footed volley after a Randi corner that would have been goal of the decade, only for the keeper to somehow parry it for a corner. Then Pugli had a ball come across the area but his effort was blocked by a last minute sliding defender. Andy had cut in from the right had a screamer well saved and Oren had the ball reach him inside the penalty spot to the left but the keeper did well on the finish as well.
As it ended, the Rovers stayed in 7th place and can start to built for a return to the top four next season.
Team: Dave Borchard, Jon Nessa, Mark Kushemba, Andrew George, Vidar Ekehaug, Einar Benedktsson, Oren Nhaissi, Colin Marshall, Stephen Pugliese, Andy Abramovits, Stephen Pugliese. Subs (all played): Sam Minaya, Alfonzo Nanclares, Yuri Krym, Michael Martocci