Rovers Metro Match Report - The Bellwether Match, 10/25/09

Barnstonworth Rovers Metro: 3
Astoria Gaels: 0

by Jeremy Wine.

Rovers Metro turned out a comprehensive and Rovers-worthy display against perennial battlers Astoria Gaels, keeping themselves a game back from first as the league contenders start to shake loose from the pretenders. Following last week's cup trouncing of second division Ridgewood reserves (something on the order or 8-0 in the sloppy, sloppy mud), Rovers Metro seem to be finding their form as they get healthy bodies back.

Sunday's league clash began with a whimper, with a non-present referee forcing a game-time agreement between the sides to allow an injured Gael to referee the match. Full credit to him--he called an even-handed and accurate match, possibly one of the better officiating jobs we've experienced in the league. And a heck of a nice guy. The Red Hook turf pitch was more rubber pellets than turf, and featured a tectonic fault line on the south side, but after two visits to soon-to-be-condemned Commodore Barry Field, it might as well have been Wembley.

The first ten minutes, you might have said the Gaels were favorites, but a breakthrough at the other end left team-leading scorer Rowley through, holding up his run nicely, and equally nicely finishing to put Rovers on top early. Gael's new #10, a fellow named Kenny, showed some threat coming out of the midfield and a familiar Gael's player did cause some havoc up front, but luckily this time didn't actually follow through on his threats to punch any of our players. Somewhere, I think, Bobby's jaw is still sore. Nevertheless, the Rovers played the rest of the half equal and neither team threatened the opposing goal too terribly much. The first half flew by and Rovers were up by one.

The second half was all Rovers throughout. Schlatter, moving forward from the right back position, angled in a laser cross to Rowley who, in the box, surprised all by not heading home (which he should have done), but chested the ball down, made his signature move past a player to gain half a yard, and powered home a shot (which, somehow, he also should have done). That's probably 72 goals in 7 matches for Rowley. The proverbial "You knew it was over when" moment came on a Gael's corner that sailed over Kilfedder's head (Putting the cross probably 40 yards high), and dramatically fell onto the head of an on rushing Gael head, destined for the near side of the goal. Krapp switched direction in no time at all and stuck out a paw to make an amazing save, sparking a counter up the right side. Duca on the right side of midfield switched the ball from his right to his left, and volleyed home a tremendous...volley...to the far side--golazo. Three to the
good and Rovers coasted a bit, trading a couple chances, but never was the result in doubt.

Now 3-1-1, Rovers are only a few points back and should expect to win every game. We're in touching distance and we should know it.

Errata on Metro match report, from Jeremy Wine:
My match report was perfect except for attributing every single goal wrongly.
The second goal was the first, the third goal was the second, and the third goal was a beauty scored by none other than Gavin Dick, about whom I've consistently denied goal accolades.