Results: Reserves 3/21/10 vs Brooklyn Italians (a)

Brooklyn Italian Res 6 Barnstonworth Rovers Res 3

Despite facing the only team to have beaten the Rovers Reserves this season - in the cup - and despite facing similar conditions to that match - 1st teams off - the Reserves were completely unprepared for the encounter. Having not practiced, not played and arriving late to the pitch, the outcome was predictable. Additionally, several players failed to follow instructions on the pitch leading to 0-5 deficit in the interval. A couple of very good (1st team players) shredded the Reserve back line and exploited the spaces created by indiscipline wide and deep. The build up to several goals, were carbon copies. Quick turns in space in the middle, or individual errors, releasing the wings getting deep, ball played to unmarked men in the six for simple finishes.
When the Rovers threatened, they wasted simple tap-ins.
Simply embarrassed at half-time, the Reserves put a much better organized effort in the 2nd, and quickly pulled back to 2-5 vs a more Reserves Italian side, when Yannick tapped in a rebound and Felix slotted home. Quickly the Italians restored their top 11 and held the Rovers to the end. Despite created a slew of better chances, and Baskin netting the Rovers' third, the Reserves never rattled the Italian nerves by cutting the deficit to 2.
A terrible performance to a good team. Still the Reserves remain top, but will need to improve against chasing CPR this week.

Team: Mat Kapplan, Corey Dempsey, Zach Chandis, Randi Lee, Yuri Krym, Daniel Cardozo, Ron Baskin, Yannick James, Michael Martocci, Sam Minaya, Jepherson Vernaza. Subs (all played) Felix D'ambrose, Stavros Zomopoulos