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
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Lady Rovers1 Result 12/6/09 - by Nicolas
Lady Rover 1: 2 Central Park Rangers Women Red: 0
On Sunday, the Ladies finished their Fall season the way they had started it about 3 months ago: with a deserved win.
Despite a very early start and a blistering cold, Rovers 1 showed up in force after the Thanksiving break. All bets were off before the game as CPR Red had brilliantly tied against Vendaval in their last game. Sometimes playing well just means a game summary is told very briefly. And indeed, our ladies however took early control of the game and kept it pretty much that way for the entire game, never giving CPR Red any serious chance. Susan and Shannon scored the two goals of the game for a comfortable 2-0 win.
On Sunday, the Ladies finished their Fall season the way they had started it about 3 months ago: with a deserved win.
Despite a very early start and a blistering cold, Rovers 1 showed up in force after the Thanksiving break. All bets were off before the game as CPR Red had brilliantly tied against Vendaval in their last game. Sometimes playing well just means a game summary is told very briefly. And indeed, our ladies however took early control of the game and kept it pretty much that way for the entire game, never giving CPR Red any serious chance. Susan and Shannon scored the two goals of the game for a comfortable 2-0 win.
Prmeier o30 - 12/13/09 - Kevin O'Donovan
Barnstonworth Premier 2 Brooklyn Italians 2
Goals: Nedgy Nazon 60' Marlon Johnson 75'
The Italians have lost all but two this year but managed to earn a draw against us on a miserable Sunday morning out by Coney Island. Another 2-2 draw, but unlike several of our matches this year, it was the Italians who had the lion's share of chances. We were down early when on a break their guy hit a top drawer left-footed strike into the opposite upper 90. It stayed this way for the rest of half as they continued to pour on the pressure while we struggled to link passes together.
We started brightly in the second half and Marlon was released down the right, crossed to Nedgy who smartly tapped in from close range. Back on track it seemed we were. But alas, we couldn't take the lead from the Italians. The best chance came when Allen's curler hit the crossbar. Their long balls for some reason caused us problems and eventually they earned a free kick on the side just outside the area. After a weak clearance, the ball fell to their first half goal scorer who hit a laser beam that I saw only at the last second. I blocked with my chest but the ball landed at the feet of their guy who scored even after I launched myself at him. 2-1 to them. Marlon equalized, however, within a minute when he beat a couple of guys at the top of the box and coolly stroked the shot past the keeper far post. And instead of closing the deal in the final 15 minutes, it was Brooklyn who nearly got the winner except for yours truly saving two 1v1's. And if we're to fight for a playoff spot in the spring, we'll have to be more efficient converting our usual possession advantage into goals.
Squad: Kevin, Emman, Carl, Kenton, Maurice, Stav, Allen, Robbie, Kendall, Narces, Alex, Marlon, Nedgy
Goals: Nedgy Nazon 60' Marlon Johnson 75'
The Italians have lost all but two this year but managed to earn a draw against us on a miserable Sunday morning out by Coney Island. Another 2-2 draw, but unlike several of our matches this year, it was the Italians who had the lion's share of chances. We were down early when on a break their guy hit a top drawer left-footed strike into the opposite upper 90. It stayed this way for the rest of half as they continued to pour on the pressure while we struggled to link passes together.
We started brightly in the second half and Marlon was released down the right, crossed to Nedgy who smartly tapped in from close range. Back on track it seemed we were. But alas, we couldn't take the lead from the Italians. The best chance came when Allen's curler hit the crossbar. Their long balls for some reason caused us problems and eventually they earned a free kick on the side just outside the area. After a weak clearance, the ball fell to their first half goal scorer who hit a laser beam that I saw only at the last second. I blocked with my chest but the ball landed at the feet of their guy who scored even after I launched myself at him. 2-1 to them. Marlon equalized, however, within a minute when he beat a couple of guys at the top of the box and coolly stroked the shot past the keeper far post. And instead of closing the deal in the final 15 minutes, it was Brooklyn who nearly got the winner except for yours truly saving two 1v1's. And if we're to fight for a playoff spot in the spring, we'll have to be more efficient converting our usual possession advantage into goals.
Squad: Kevin, Emman, Carl, Kenton, Maurice, Stav, Allen, Robbie, Kendall, Narces, Alex, Marlon, Nedgy
Lady Rovers2 Result 12/6/09 - by Nicolas
Lady Rovers 2: 1 (4) Central Park Rangers Women White: 1 (2)
Rovers 2 was supposed to have plenty subs, we ended up with only 10 players after several last minute diseases and cancellations, including that our resident goalie Emily. Seeing their advantage in numbers CPR White pressed on early and within seconds one of their strikers took a beautiful shot that curved straight towards the goal. Mary H, aka crazy Mary, who had stepped up in goal for the day jumped, overextended her right hand and tipped the ball above the bar for her first of many brilliant saves that day, under the cheers of the team and her boytoy standing on the bleachers. Little by little our ladies found their position on the field and managed to balance the game despite being short of one. In second half we focused on closing the gaps and putting the pressure high on CPR. Fantastic defense on the midfield line from Bridget, Courtney and Abbey kept the danger at bay. Then on a great overlap and passing combination on the right side, a ball was laid back to Abbey who in her run and from the corner of the box precisely placed the ball out of reach of the goalie for the 1-0. Minutes later, our only defensive mistake allowed CPRW's best player to close range drill one in leaving no chance to Mary for the 1-1. From there on is was a perfectly balanced game that led to shoot out after regulation time. Let us just say that the whole team pulled through on that difficult exercise. Not only did all our players score on their attempt but CPRW missed their first, and Mary dove on the right side to save the shot from CPRW's best player and take teh game home. Final score 1-1 (4-2) for a well fought and deserved win.
Rovers 2 was supposed to have plenty subs, we ended up with only 10 players after several last minute diseases and cancellations, including that our resident goalie Emily. Seeing their advantage in numbers CPR White pressed on early and within seconds one of their strikers took a beautiful shot that curved straight towards the goal. Mary H, aka crazy Mary, who had stepped up in goal for the day jumped, overextended her right hand and tipped the ball above the bar for her first of many brilliant saves that day, under the cheers of the team and her boytoy standing on the bleachers. Little by little our ladies found their position on the field and managed to balance the game despite being short of one. In second half we focused on closing the gaps and putting the pressure high on CPR. Fantastic defense on the midfield line from Bridget, Courtney and Abbey kept the danger at bay. Then on a great overlap and passing combination on the right side, a ball was laid back to Abbey who in her run and from the corner of the box precisely placed the ball out of reach of the goalie for the 1-0. Minutes later, our only defensive mistake allowed CPRW's best player to close range drill one in leaving no chance to Mary for the 1-1. From there on is was a perfectly balanced game that led to shoot out after regulation time. Let us just say that the whole team pulled through on that difficult exercise. Not only did all our players score on their attempt but CPRW missed their first, and Mary dove on the right side to save the shot from CPRW's best player and take teh game home. Final score 1-1 (4-2) for a well fought and deserved win.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Preier o30 - State Cup Round of 16 12/06/09 - Kevin
Barnstonworth Premier 2 (3) Manhattan Kickers 2 (5)
Goals: Nedgy Nazon? 60' Allen Tardieu 90'
Rovers went down to the Kickers in the PK's after a see-saw second half. The first half was all quiet in terms of goals but Nedgy was unlucky to not score as two of his efforts were cleared off the line. Stav's thru ball found Kendall, who passed up his own shot to square to Nedgy. The keeper parried Nedgy's shot only for his defender to clear it away. The next one was a thru ball that Nedgy dinked over the keeper again only for the Kickers defender to clear off the line. Their only real chance in the first half was a rocket from MacKinnon's mate Colin that Kevin was able to just parry wide.
The second half saw Kickers get the lead after a flurry of long throw-ins led to a goalmouth melee that their large striker was able to poke in. We soon equalized when Kendall nicked the ball off one of their midfielders, he fed Marlon on the right who crossed for Nedgy? to score from the 6 yd box. We stepped up the pressure and created several good chances but were unable to score. They took the lead again on the break when their guy crossed to an unmarked forward at the far post who headed home. We managed an equalizer late when Duane soloed down the left side, cut inside, just losing the ball but not before the ref blew a delayed foul. Coach Robbie insisted Emman take the free, but stubborn Nedgy insisted it was his to take. He curled it to Duane who flicked on for Allen to tap in from close range. One minute later, the ref blew the whistle for 90 minutes. Our second PK cup match in 3 tries.
Long story short, they scored all 5, we scored 3 of out 4 and didn't get to take our last one. Their keeper saved Allen's effort, Narces got a second try after his first hit the post since their keeper moved early and Carl and Duane scored theirs. I got a hand to the 4th kick but not enough. Kickers will play Pele Masters in the quarters.
Squad: Kevin, Emman, Carl, Kenton, Maurice, Stav, Roger, Allen, Robbie, Duane, Kendall, Narces, Alex, Marlon, Nedgy
Goals: Nedgy Nazon? 60' Allen Tardieu 90'
Rovers went down to the Kickers in the PK's after a see-saw second half. The first half was all quiet in terms of goals but Nedgy was unlucky to not score as two of his efforts were cleared off the line. Stav's thru ball found Kendall, who passed up his own shot to square to Nedgy. The keeper parried Nedgy's shot only for his defender to clear it away. The next one was a thru ball that Nedgy dinked over the keeper again only for the Kickers defender to clear off the line. Their only real chance in the first half was a rocket from MacKinnon's mate Colin that Kevin was able to just parry wide.
The second half saw Kickers get the lead after a flurry of long throw-ins led to a goalmouth melee that their large striker was able to poke in. We soon equalized when Kendall nicked the ball off one of their midfielders, he fed Marlon on the right who crossed for Nedgy? to score from the 6 yd box. We stepped up the pressure and created several good chances but were unable to score. They took the lead again on the break when their guy crossed to an unmarked forward at the far post who headed home. We managed an equalizer late when Duane soloed down the left side, cut inside, just losing the ball but not before the ref blew a delayed foul. Coach Robbie insisted Emman take the free, but stubborn Nedgy insisted it was his to take. He curled it to Duane who flicked on for Allen to tap in from close range. One minute later, the ref blew the whistle for 90 minutes. Our second PK cup match in 3 tries.
Long story short, they scored all 5, we scored 3 of out 4 and didn't get to take our last one. Their keeper saved Allen's effort, Narces got a second try after his first hit the post since their keeper moved early and Carl and Duane scored theirs. I got a hand to the 4th kick but not enough. Kickers will play Pele Masters in the quarters.
Squad: Kevin, Emman, Carl, Kenton, Maurice, Stav, Roger, Allen, Robbie, Duane, Kendall, Narces, Alex, Marlon, Nedgy
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