Manhattan Kickers Res 0 Barnstonworth Rovers Res 1
This one was interesting, or at least the referee made it that way. In the end the Reserves remained undefeated, increasing their record start and easily top of the league !
The Reserves were the quality side, dominated play, tempo possession and chances. Yannick scored the winner on a chicky far post curling lob from corner of the box. Rovers 1-0.
Sam twice, Baskin, Yuri and Mat had close calls in the first half, none converting to put the Kickers away.
The first part of the 2nd half was an exercise to see if the Reserves could increase their lead before the bench of the 1st team was withdrawn. Erratic finishing – a squad wide bug this weekend – prohibited it.
After the changes Kickers playing very direct, created some half chances, without seriously threatening to equalize. Baskin could have finished the affair with a bouncing ball deep inside the area but it was saved. Yuri had a clear cut on well orchestrated attack, his final effort going just wide. Then it all started. The ref missed a Kicker 10 yards offside, he went to challenge the ball bouncing in the Rover area, obviously with only the keeper there. Bobby jumped highest and punched the ball clear, a Kicker got to the rebound in the d and fired an errant shot over the bar. Ref whistled and pointed forward to what we all thought was for a goal-kick. Even Kickers were somewhat amazed to see he picked up the ball and placed in on the penalty spot ! Foul by the keeper !! allowing the shot was playing advantage !!!
Pandemonium followed as expected. After a couple of Rover yellows, Bobby focused dove to his left and muffled the Kickers star midfielders penalty !!!!!!
The grateful Reserves poured forward, Baskin received a ball past the last defender, and as he goes to finish past Vinny (!!) gets pulled down from the back. The ref did not think that was an infraction.
As the final whistle approached, and the Rovers failed to put the Kickers to bed, the ref, very upset that Bobby foiled his plan, went on a rampage. Firsts a ridiculous free kick outside the area that predictably Kickers could not put on target. Then, in added time, a Kickers desperation attempt at a long throw was cleared for another throw in, this time a few yards north of the Reserve’s area. The Kickers take it as long as possible. Bobby in his near post, raises his hands and grabs it. Referee blows again, points to the penalty spot. This time the Kicker players are laughing, the 1st team game main referee who had arrived – and who happens to be the same referee that took our cards away last year in the State Cup quarter final vs Irish Rovers after the “fight with his wife” – is looking on, this time in complete amazement. Pandemonium x2. A second yellow follows (thankfully the onlooking ref obliged to write the assignor on our behalf !!). Kickers old timer, scorer of many goals against the Rovers and almost a convert a few years back, Scotty, steps up to take the penalty. The ref loses his giggle as Bobby this time dives to his left and smothers it again !!!
The amazing performance from Guelich ensured the Reserves record was kept intact. And that Kickers got exactly what they deserved from the match - absolutely nothing.
Team: Bobby Guelich, Bond Griffin, Pete Watson, Stash Rutkowski, Yuri Krym, Ron Baskin, Oren Nhaissi, Lucas Werthein, Mat Levine, Michael Martocci, Yannick James. Subs (all played) Zach Chandis, Felix D’Ambrose, Sam Minaya, Stavros Zomopoulos.
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