Oyster Bay Fenerbache USA 3 Barnstonworth Rovers 1
A very good opponent, a late change of venue to a terrible pitch and a lone tired referee, along with a only 11 players available (and 2 subs that played full 90 earlier w/Res) due to various reasons contrived to force the earliest Rover exit from the State Cup for many years. The 2-time in the last 3 season’s semi-finalists have never won a cup game in long island, probably for the same reasons they did not win on Sunday. This time, though, they contributed with one of their poorest performances this season. Fener were well organized and far better accustomed to the conditions. As such, they played the better football, they were more effective and won deservedly.
Having the cup’s chairmen’s son under their goalposts, though, did give them extra panache. And maybe it was a telling factor. With the score tied at 1, Andy was clearly – and purposely – brought down as he rounded their outside back. The infraction was so clearly inside the area, that their coach shouted “no penalty !”
And the referee somehow obliged, ridiculously awarding a free kick just outside the 18teen that went unpunished by the Rovers !!
The decision clearly changed the rue of the match.
The match started very evenly and the Rovers struck first. The pitch was not for pretty or even “on the ground” football. So a ball from the defense to Jordi who played Ajene behind the defense. Their keeper caught in no-mans land, Ajene cleverly one-touched lobbed the bouncing ball over him and into the open net. Quality finish for his first 1st team tally. Rovers 1-0.
The Rovers could have built from there. Expect, shortly afterwards, a blown marking assignment at a corner allowed for a free, have bending down, header at the far post that tied the score. Rovers 1-1.
Still fumbling over a couple of missed opportunities at the end of the half, and the unfathomable call from the ref, the Rovers were slow to restart. And they quickly found themselves trailing. A whiff on the bad pitch, followed by a less than stellar clearance that was redirected back at our back line, allowed their top player – a niftingly quick and skillful striker – to contest a ball deep in our half. The Rovers should have cleared it quicker, Broach arrived a split second later that the forward’s slide, and the ball rested in the back of the net. Rovers 1-2.
The Rovers went to 3 strikers and looked to equalize using the unfamiliar to them long ball, and set pieces. They had their chances. Pugli’s header from the penalty spot was anemic. Andy chest and volley was unfortunately straight at the keeper. Ajene’s shot came from an unfavorable angle and hit the side netting. But their best chances came from 2 Colin set pieces. The first, 3 Rovers beat all the defenders but nobody could steer the ball inside the net. The second, eerily similar, but this time 2 Rovers got to it, one sending it goal bound, the other keeping it from going in.
Broach save well from a close range free kick before Oyster Bay scored on a nice header in the last minute of regulation for the final score and seal the exit from the cup. Rovers 1-3.
On another day with Waddell, Einar, Vidar, Salvo, Dirk or Brown, on a playable pitch, and proper officiating, certainly the result would have been different. On this day, anything was possible.
The bright side, the exit does save the next round trip to Oceanside – even further than Syosset – and Colin’s complaining.
Team: Dave Brochard, Alan Alcade, George Tagaris, Randi Lee, Mark Kushemba, Colin Marshall, Lucas Werthein, Jordan Chirico, Andy Abramovits, Ajene Green, Stephen Pugliese. Subs (all played) Mat Levine, Corey Nessa
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