Result: Firsts 11/08/09 vs Manhattan Kickers (A)

Manhattan Kickers S.C. 2 Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 4

It was 75F on Sunday, and the Rovers had an unusual November stroll in the park against the usually feisty Kickers. BRFC welcomed the return to league action and took the 3 points 4-2, but the score is hardly an indication of the ease with which the Rovers achieved the victory. They were 3-0 up at halftime, and by the 60^th min, they should have been 6 or 7-0 even after the most lackadaisical performance for several years. Kickers Sunday were not a CSL D1 team. Pugliese opened the score on a final flick after Andy’s header was heading just wide. Rovers 1-0

Within the 20 min mark, Colin doubled the tally with a well taken shot – lob – cross that found the side netting for his 2^nd in 2 league games. Rovers 2-0

Andy was not to be denied and in the 35^th min he made it 3 with fine header. Rovers 3-0

Pugli could have made it 6-0 with the 3 un-miss-able chances one in the 1^st half and 2 in the beginning of the 2^nd.

But much worse, out of nowhere, Dirk - the BRFC impressive young centre back – misstepped twisting his knee and had to be taken to the ER (torn ACL). This unsettled the Rovers who then used half time to have a cup of coffee and a doughnut instead of talking shop, further loosening the already non-existent concentration level. Intensity dropped alarmingly, and allowed the Kickers to ruin the clean sheet.

After a further slew of missed chances including a couple of un-miss-ables, a close range strike gave them one. Rovers 3-1.

And minutes after Georgie and Alan were both replaced due to injuries, a free header from a corner made it close. Rovers 3-2.

For exactly 1 min. Immediately spurring to action, Ajene received the ball on top of the D, held off the defender, turned a fired a strike to the far post, past the outstretched (LOL) Fritz, typically scoring on the by far the most difficult of his chances. Rovers 4-2.

Rovers scored at will. Or not. Not to be outdone, Levine gave Kickers a few presents, as did Lucas and Randi (we would not expect any different he felt sorry for them), allowing the scoreline to remain respectable, even though the spectacle was not.

Team: Ben Kartzman, Alan Alcade, George Tagaris, Dirk Swaneveld, Randi Lee, Jordan Chirico, Vidar Ekehaug, Colin Marshall, Pat Brown, Andy Abramovits, Stephen Pugliese. Subs (all played) Pete Watson, Oren Nhaissi, Ajene Green, Lucas Werthien, Mat Levine.