Barnstonworth Rovers Thirds Match report, 3/28/10

FC NY Bravehearts (0) - Barnstonworth Rovers Thirds (2)

A journey to the end of the Earth, or Long Island rather, brought mid-table powerhouses together at what might well have been the largest pitch on our planet. One could transition from midfield to offense on this thing only to find you had to do it all over again.

The pitch played a bit strangely, and Rovers first, second, and fourth touches gifted plenty of possession to the opposition, who in their apparent youth, closed down well on the large ground. Rovers skill and experience were in evidence, though, and the opponent, FC NY Bravehearts, failed to squeak out anything resembling a threatening chance in the first half. Unfortunately, not too much was clicking for Rovers either with wing play failing to produce dangerous crosses, the usually dominant center midfield failing to settle and combine, and the front line neither attacking nor holding play up. One very good chance presented itself, but Mike Dirolf's lung-busting run from the right wing saw him blaze over on a slow volley.

At the start of the second half, Tommy Chenoweth started to destroy and distribute out of the middle and his accurate passes let Thomas Obaseki and Gustavo Garro pick apart the defense. A nice interchange set Sergio Restrepo loose on a late run, and his calm finish was unjustly called back for offsides. Not even close. But that signaled the beginning of the barrage--Brandon Rowley picked up the ball near the halfway line, fully juked and muscled past 3 defenders on his own, and struck early to beat the goalie near post--fantastic run. Soon after, Rowley would add a second, picking up the ball near the corner, making some space at a tough angle 28 yards out, and then struck a gorgeous, ever-so-slightly bloopie strike to the far upper corner, putting any comeback out of mind.

Squad: Pretty much everybody.

Okay, okay...

James "Roethelisberger's a dumbass" Krapp
Jason "Cold Beer Delivery" Moore
Dave "Sarg" Schlatter
Derek "Shuffles" Kilfedder
Darrel "Chaps" Crane
Jeremy "McTesticles" Wine
Mackers "Mackers" Mackers
Tommy "Gentle Applause" Chenoweth
Thomas "Twinkletoes" Obaseki
Mike "Loudenville Longboards" Dirolf
Dave "Captain Respectable" Bernfeld
Gustavo "No Te Importa" Garro
Sergio "Zapatos Amarillos" Restrepo
Juan "GM" Casares Gonzalez
Brandon "MOTM" Rowley
Bruce "The Condition" Sholltrain
Gavin "Never Goes to the Pub" Dick
Okey "The Eagle" Obudulu

Special assistant coach: Jeremy Brown, still hobbled.