Barnstonworth Rovers Thirds Match report, 11/15/09

BRFC Rovers Thirds: 0 Gotham Argo: 3

'Twas ugly, and the slithy toads did play so crappily in the turf.
by Jeremy Wine.

In a soon to be legendary rivalry amongst the smallest of soccer circles, Rovers thirds locked horns with Gotham Argo for the first of three matchups that would decide who would carry the Metro league standard in cup play, and likely, who will top the league. This cup face-off we'll affectionately call the "Getting to Know You" match.

Gotham Argo, hereforth the Argos, feature some good pace and skill up front, a central midfielder more determined to scream his name and win every aerial ball in creation, and a humongoid, dominant central back--this is good, solid competition and they didn't disappoint
on Sunday.

At Forest Hills, Queens, the unseasonably warm day would do nothing to pretty up the play. All day long, chances were scarce for both sides, with a cornucopia of hard tackling, wayward passes, and gifted midfield possession. In the first half, the Argos made some room down their right hand side (where they overloaded all day long, presumably to work away from now legendary Sarg Schlatter), and slid the ball to an late running midfielder about 25 yards out. He didn't catch all of it, but reserve goalkeeper and longtime Rover Artis would begin one of his rougher outings unable to change direction in the sandy mud to parry the weakly driven ball. The shot deflected off the post to an Argosian for an easy tap in: 1-Cero. Rovers would soon answer with good work through the middle finding usually bankable Rowley deferring to Obudulu, who turned a decent effort onto the crossbar, no net to be found. Few shots, if any, would be frame-bound and then the
halftime whistle. The ball did land in some bird poo at one point. A lot of bird poo, like a pelican or a large egret.

The second half would feature more of the same, this time with cards, yellow and red. Luckily, the 94 Rovers players/coaches/friends red carded were all amazingly not in the active 11, and Rovers would finish the game at full strength (if you don't count all those goals we conceded). The second Argo goal would be another Artis won't look fondly back on--a well struck but ultimately hopeful ball from fully 38 yards looked to be punched out, only to go all Patrick Swayze through Demi Artis' two-handed pottery wheeling. The ref started to lose his focus, penalizing J. Moore for one of the best, cleanest outside the box tackles you'll ever see. Goal #3 (against) would be yet another questionable finish, this time an unconvincing near-post header that Artis would get a low hand to, but not be able to direct outside the post.

Overall, despite the scoreline, the defense bent but didn't break too often during the game and some nifty combinations would be had with good work from Obudulu, Dick, Rowley, Obaseki, and Chenoweth. We didn't use the wide areas too well, and are still missing some key players in Dirolf and Bobby Ranagiongaphnphap (sic).

Two large opportunities for redemption await, one in the Fall and one in the Spring.

Squad: Artis; Moore, Kilfedder, Sarge and Wine; Tommy, Thomas, Duca and Mackers; Obudulu and Rowley.
Subs (all played): coach, Sholltrain, Sergio, Gav, Bern and Darrell.