Results: Firsts 3/28/10 vs CPR

Central Park Rangers 0 Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 1

The third 1-nil away win in a row ushered the Rovers to the top of the table last weekend. Andy latched on a Pugli backheer ran through the CPR defense and finished brilliantly to the far post for the game winner.
Again, though, the match story was the impressive Rover team defense. From the strikers to the goalkeeper, the Rovers closed gaps, cut the space and struggled the State Cup finalist CPR.
As it has been typical in these local derbies, after weathering the early CPR dominance where they squandered a good chance from inside the box, the Rovers settled and thought they had taken the lead when Pugli broke the offside trap only for the completely inadequate linesman to raise his flag before he could finish. And then, the Rovers moved to dominate possession as well as chances. Andy had a good strike from the left and Ajene cut and shot was well saved.
15 mins into the 2nd half, the inadequate linesman made amends for his comical officiating that included the Reserve game. The CPR forward darted through the gap between 2 Rover central defenders and slotted past Ben but, for once, the Rovers got the offside call. The Rovers lacked the central midfield mastery that has trademarked them this season, but Scotty, back from his A-league adventure, provided the spark they needed in the flanks with a super 2nd half. In the 70th, the Rovers created the one piece of brilliance that settled the match. Ben's quick release started up the Rover left, to Colin who fed Pugli. Pugli shielded the ball from 2 defenders and back healed it to Andy running through in support. With a burst of speed, Andy got behind the CPR defense, he held off the challenge and powerfully finished to the lower far post of the onrushing keeper. Rovers 1-0
This was all Ben needed, recording his 4th clean sheet of the season and 3rd in a row for the Rovers (all away !). He made another superb save from close range, and survived a bit of craziness with Sammie clearing the ball for a corner in the dying seconds when Ben had already called him off.
Rovers top of the league. Next up Croatia at home.

Team: Ben Kartzman, Alan Alcade, Oren Nhaissi, Pat Brown, George Tagaris, Vidar Ekehaug, Colin Marshall, Scott Waddell, Ajene Green, Andy Abramovits, Stephen Pugliese. Subs (all played) Yuri Krym, Sam Minaya, Yannick James