Result: Firsts 12/06/09 vs Brooklyn Italians (a)

Brooklyn Italians 0 Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 1
A brilliant first half Jordi strike that ruffled the net after touching all 3 sticks gave the Rovers the valuable 3 points vs a very good Italian's team. The Italians belied their lowly league standing, sporting a new - all d1 college - side and in truth deserved something out of the match. Broach made sure they did not. He made 4-5 fantastic saves throughout the 90 mins of his man-of-the-match performance to keep the clean sheet.
The Rovers started brightly and had plans to control the tempo and possession on the cold day. But their focus swayed within the first 2 mins. Brownie in his first touch, tried to dribble - when he could have passed - was tripped and as he attempted to cushion his fall, landed on his elbow and dislocated it terribly. With the club president watching, Sheero immediately drove him to the nearest ER. Thankfully, on the 4th attempt and equal morphine shot, the doctors were able to lodge it back. No broken bones, so Brownie will be back by the end of February. And thank you Dave Sheeran !
On the pitch, the Rovers found the space in the middle and enjoyed the majority of possession. Jordi was, as always, a constant threat down the right flank, even if, in the early stages, his final ball was not to the usual standard. Andy had a good chance on a turn and volley inside the area that was well parried by the Italian's keeper. Pugli has another good chance from close range that was blocked. Finally the Rovers capitalized midway through the half. Salvo, Einar combined finding Colin with time at the top of the box. He threaded a ball through to Jordi who rocketed the finish in the near upper 90, ricochet to the far post and end up in the opposite side netting with the goalkeeper spinning. Rovers 1-0.
The Rovers failed to kill the game off in the next few minutes, and turned the show over to Broach. First the Italian forwards were too slow to finish and Broach blocked it at his feet. Then he parried an uncontested shot from the penalty spot angled for the far post for a corner.
In the 2nd half, the Rovers turned more direct, and the Italian's became increasingly dangerous on the counterattacks. The Rovers did not do well in tracking the extra runners through the midfield. Broach stepped up and tipped past the far post another one-one finish, before smothering the next. And he saved and kept the rebound when a 2 v 1 resulted in the left side of the Rover's 18een.
On the other end, the Rovers failed to get a final shot off attacking 4 on 3 and then 3 on 2, but in the end, it did not matter. Broach assured the clean sheet and the Rovers in 2nd place with a game in hand.
Team: Dave Borchard, Mark Kushemba, Pat Brown, John Salvucci, George Tagaris, Vidar Ekehaug, Einar Benedktsson, Jordan Chirico, Colin Marshall, Andy Abramovits, Stephen Pugliese Subs: (all played) Randi Lee, Mat Levine, Ajene Green, Pierre Byman