Results: Firsts 5/2/10 vs Polonia (A)

Polonia S.C. 0 Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 1

1-0 is to the champions ! And Jordi notched his 4th game winning 1-0 goal of the season with a thunder strike off a short corner in the 78th minute to silence the boisterous Polonia crowd and raise the Rover support cheers. On the hottest day of the year, the Rovers took a huge step towards booking their playoff spot. The heat, instead of the Rovers, dictated the pace of the match, but they still dominated proceedings, dominated the chances and in the end should have sealed the match.
Scottie coming on in the 2nd half to fill Einar's old spot changed the flow of the match, allowing the Rovers to break down the weakest parts of the Polonia defense and create a slew of chances. Colin left to cover huge spaces defensively in the heat, managed to keep the Polonia midfield from overrunning the lines. The 3 points combined with Croatia's loss leaves the Roves 3 points from securing their 2nd playoff appearance in 3 seasons, and 4th semi-final contest in 4.
The first half was a boring affair with a crowded 5 men Polonia midfield smothered whatever space the Rovers were able to create in the prevailing conditions. And it resulted in a fragmented game, where the Rovers lacked their customary possession and high number of probing touches through the midfield. A clever Lucas through ball, put Jordi behind the defense but his cross skidded across the box. Another Jordi cross landed on Wiggi's knee, where his head would have been a better choice.
Wiggi got to another ball behind the defense but his effort was blocked. The pace suited the relegation threatened Polonia. Their efforts were limited to long range speculative shots. Even their traditionally deadly set pieces lacked bite.
In the 2nd half, the Rovers upped their determination and urgency and started to overwhelm the opponents. Ajene put Alan through on the right, his cross to the far post just went over Andy's head, Jordi collected by hit the side netting.
Then after one of the better build-ups up the middle, Colin to Aj, who found Scot behind the lines. He turned a fired a bullet, but the Polonia keeper went down and saved nicely, holding the rebound.
But the tide was turning and the Rovers were determined to leave with 3 points in front of the largest crowd of the year.
Scottie slalomed through the Polonia defense, played the 1-2 with Jordi, but could not find the net.
Then another effort was parried for a corner. Scottie and Jordi quickly took it short, Jordi carrying to the far top edge of the box. He corked and released a beauty that buried itself in the far upper corner of the side netting silencing the chants of Polonia-Polonia and bringing a huge cheer from the Rover faithful ! Rovers 1-0.
The complexion of the encounter changed, spaces opened up as Polonia chased without much plan. Scottie found space and created havoc. Jordi should have double his tally when he and Scottie countered 2 on 1 and he was left one on one with the keeper. His finish was well parried. Later it was Scottie who should have done the same but he was inexplicably stopped for offside. In the meantime Polonia's striker got behind one shot and hit the upper bar of the gridiron goal, but the biggest shout from Polonia was for a dive in the Rover box that was correctly - and not surprisingly by the excellent referee - waived off thus breaking their final resistance.

Team: Ben Kartzman, Vidar Ekehaug, John Salvucci, Andy Abramovits, Lucas Werthein, George Tagaris, Colin Marshall, Mark Kushemba, Sam Wiggin, Jordan Chirico, Randi Lee Subs (all played) Ajene Green, Alan Alcade, Oren Nhaissi, Yuri Krym, Joe Germanese