HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A WINNING 2009
BARNSTONWORTH ROVERS FC
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Premier O'30s Match Report 12/14/08 - by Kevin O'Donovan
Barnstonworth Premier 2 Silver Lake 1
Forest Hills High School
Nedgy, Duane Pena
I wasn't even at the game. Out sick I was. If Martin had paid attention, he might have noticed that it was Chivon or somebody besides me in goal. In any case, here is a summary from one of my teammates, mostly regarding the very unfortunate player on the other team.
I really didn't see exactly what happened. The ball was in the air coming towards Yogi and the guy challenged for the ball. I was watching the ball as it skimmed of Yogi's head and went behind the play. I was saving the ball from going out of bounds when I saw the guy laying there screaming. It was obvious that something serious just happened. Yogi said that the guy came down on his leg in an awkward way, but he really wasn't sure either. Others covered him in jackets until the ambulance arrived about 25-30 minutes later. They strapped him to a board and wheeled him off the field. The ref gave us 12 minutes to finish the game (we had about 25 minutes left and were really pressing for the winner at the time). With maybe two minutes to go, Nedgy (who had already taken off his boots and whose tooth was killing him from the elbow he had received the week prior when he himself had to go to hospital and get 8 stitches and some dental work) beat 5-6 guys before passing to Duane who beat the keeper with a well placed shot near the top of the box. As we were cheering, their players sunk to the field. A classic thrill of victory/ agony of defeat moment.
Forest Hills High School
Nedgy, Duane Pena
I wasn't even at the game. Out sick I was. If Martin had paid attention, he might have noticed that it was Chivon or somebody besides me in goal. In any case, here is a summary from one of my teammates, mostly regarding the very unfortunate player on the other team.
I really didn't see exactly what happened. The ball was in the air coming towards Yogi and the guy challenged for the ball. I was watching the ball as it skimmed of Yogi's head and went behind the play. I was saving the ball from going out of bounds when I saw the guy laying there screaming. It was obvious that something serious just happened. Yogi said that the guy came down on his leg in an awkward way, but he really wasn't sure either. Others covered him in jackets until the ambulance arrived about 25-30 minutes later. They strapped him to a board and wheeled him off the field. The ref gave us 12 minutes to finish the game (we had about 25 minutes left and were really pressing for the winner at the time). With maybe two minutes to go, Nedgy (who had already taken off his boots and whose tooth was killing him from the elbow he had received the week prior when he himself had to go to hospital and get 8 stitches and some dental work) beat 5-6 guys before passing to Duane who beat the keeper with a well placed shot near the top of the box. As we were cheering, their players sunk to the field. A classic thrill of victory/ agony of defeat moment.
over 30's final match report for 08 - by Martin McKinnon
Barnstonworth O'30's 6 Guyana "B" 0
well - what started out as a season of hope (4 games and no defeats) turned into a fairly abysmal run of draws and defeats but luckily for everyone in this league there is the 'guyana b' team and so we ended this half of the season facing them.
after our sister club 'premier' were done putting their oppo in ambulances etc (o'donovan can tell ya about that one) we took the field in a hurry cause they'd used up most of our permit time and before long were hurling attack after attack at the worst team in the history of old teams.
to cut a short story even shorter they blew and didn't seem to care that they did and we scored 6 goals - our great great great great grandson of a former president in goal wasn't ever tested and it should have been in double figures...but we'll take it.
2 goals from Baskin who we consider as part of our squad and not a hired gun - another 2 from Wisnom who may or may not be a striker(?) a nice one from Ross and one by Jazzy (yep - we have someone called jazzy in out team now!)
that's it folks - remarkably if in the spring 'kickers' fall apart in some small way we could still make the playoffs - just like to add it's been really enjoyable being the only team within the club to show up at our main sponsor bar the whole season so far!
merry whatever,MacKinnon
well - what started out as a season of hope (4 games and no defeats) turned into a fairly abysmal run of draws and defeats but luckily for everyone in this league there is the 'guyana b' team and so we ended this half of the season facing them.
after our sister club 'premier' were done putting their oppo in ambulances etc (o'donovan can tell ya about that one) we took the field in a hurry cause they'd used up most of our permit time and before long were hurling attack after attack at the worst team in the history of old teams.
to cut a short story even shorter they blew and didn't seem to care that they did and we scored 6 goals - our great great great great grandson of a former president in goal wasn't ever tested and it should have been in double figures...but we'll take it.
2 goals from Baskin who we consider as part of our squad and not a hired gun - another 2 from Wisnom who may or may not be a striker(?) a nice one from Ross and one by Jazzy (yep - we have someone called jazzy in out team now!)
that's it folks - remarkably if in the spring 'kickers' fall apart in some small way we could still make the playoffs - just like to add it's been really enjoyable being the only team within the club to show up at our main sponsor bar the whole season so far!
merry whatever,MacKinnon
Monday, December 08, 2008
Match Report: Firsts State Cup Rd3 12/7/08 by Ron Baskin
Istria SC (LISFL) 0 Barnstonworth Rovers 4
On a cold and windy Sunday morning, the club's first team took on the queen's based club of Istria at the Met Oval. As fact is oftentimes substantially more entertaining than fiction, the author will simply restate the facts as witnessed.
Holding the illustrious status of Rover “first” team, the players’ approach was, as usual, serious and workmanlike. With 45 minutes until kickoff, the author and two other Rovers were sitting in a car, in Manhattan, waiting for (i) their goalie to show up, and (ii) another field player who we shall refer to as Fonzy Nanclares to also show up. As neither showed or answered numerous calls, we had no choice but to head to the field.
As we arrive at the field and take a head count, we realized no one has the kit. Brilliant. Who has the kit? Wait, Fonzy has the kit. So to summarize: 31 degrees, single elimination cup game, no goalie, no kit.
Fortunately (or not, it turns out) the reserve team was playing simultaneously somewhere in Queens County. First team player, Andy Abramovits, volunteers to go fetch the reserves other kit. He was left to negotiate his way to the reserve field by receiving oral instructions via telephone from Stav. By Andy’s account, the instructions went as follows: Stav: "Remember 2 years ago when we played that read team and Pugli scored that goal and you made that nice cross? It’s that field." After 20 minutes of aimlessly driving around Queens, Andy simply headed back to our field.
In the interim, over at Met Oval, the Rovers where watching the El Classico of an Istria versus Hota O-30s match. In a 15 minute span, we witnessed the following (i) a sucker punch to the back of a player’s head, (ii) the sucker punched player, in a fit of anger, running up and kicking a concrete pillar as hard as he could, and (iii) not to be outdone by (i) and (ii) above, the Hota coach feeling a need to verbally abuse players from the other team, identified a player and directed at him the often used soccer phrase of: "I'm going to put my d*ck in your mother." If you don’t understand the incomplete phrase, as far as this author knows, the coach did not own a duck or a dock.
Needless to say, the reference was not well received, so another mini brawl ensued. Eventually, the field was cleared, the game ended and now the goalieless, kit-less, and now Andy-less Rovers were required to take the field.
Star midfielder, Jordan Chirico, proposed the ridiculous notion of asking the other team if we could borrow their away jersey for this single elimination cup match. I laughed at the silly thought and then realized that this was a relatively good idea. I sheepishly walked over, asked the question, in front of their 18 deep squad, with matching warm ups, single file lines and a guy with a whistle. Their coach, seeing 10 Rover idiots, milling around in jeans and coats, begrudgingly agreed.
Soon thereafter, Andy returned from his Queens boondoggle, bringing us to 11 players, no goalie and the other team's kit. At last, progress.
In addition, our goalie, Dave Boosh, had awakened, removed whatever objects were lodged in him from the night before, and was in a cab on his way to the field.
We start the match with 10 players, including part time goalkeeper Mark Kushemba in goal. In the first 10 minutes, it was clear and wait for the goalie to show, with Kush making an uncomfortable, yet effective slapping save in goal, to keep things level. Eventually our goalie shows up, and we proceeded to spank Istria in their own uniforms. I won't go into the details of the game as they are not nearly as interesting. First half we walked all over them. Pinged the ball around and should have netted five. Instead it was 2-0 (Pugli and Andy) on two well created and finished goals. Second half, we withstood a bit of pressure for 15 minutes. Boosh made a couple of nice saves, but then we broke it open with a couple more (Andy and Einar) on another pair of nice goals. All in all a good day’s work and we advance to the next round.
We will now wait for the formal protest to be filed by Istria.
TEAM: Boosh, Baskin, Wiggy, Kush, Sammy, Viddy, Randi, Jordy, Einar, Andy, Oren and Pugli. All played well.
On a cold and windy Sunday morning, the club's first team took on the queen's based club of Istria at the Met Oval. As fact is oftentimes substantially more entertaining than fiction, the author will simply restate the facts as witnessed.
Holding the illustrious status of Rover “first” team, the players’ approach was, as usual, serious and workmanlike. With 45 minutes until kickoff, the author and two other Rovers were sitting in a car, in Manhattan, waiting for (i) their goalie to show up, and (ii) another field player who we shall refer to as Fonzy Nanclares to also show up. As neither showed or answered numerous calls, we had no choice but to head to the field.
As we arrive at the field and take a head count, we realized no one has the kit. Brilliant. Who has the kit? Wait, Fonzy has the kit. So to summarize: 31 degrees, single elimination cup game, no goalie, no kit.
Fortunately (or not, it turns out) the reserve team was playing simultaneously somewhere in Queens County. First team player, Andy Abramovits, volunteers to go fetch the reserves other kit. He was left to negotiate his way to the reserve field by receiving oral instructions via telephone from Stav. By Andy’s account, the instructions went as follows: Stav: "Remember 2 years ago when we played that read team and Pugli scored that goal and you made that nice cross? It’s that field." After 20 minutes of aimlessly driving around Queens, Andy simply headed back to our field.
In the interim, over at Met Oval, the Rovers where watching the El Classico of an Istria versus Hota O-30s match. In a 15 minute span, we witnessed the following (i) a sucker punch to the back of a player’s head, (ii) the sucker punched player, in a fit of anger, running up and kicking a concrete pillar as hard as he could, and (iii) not to be outdone by (i) and (ii) above, the Hota coach feeling a need to verbally abuse players from the other team, identified a player and directed at him the often used soccer phrase of: "I'm going to put my d*ck in your mother." If you don’t understand the incomplete phrase, as far as this author knows, the coach did not own a duck or a dock.
Needless to say, the reference was not well received, so another mini brawl ensued. Eventually, the field was cleared, the game ended and now the goalieless, kit-less, and now Andy-less Rovers were required to take the field.
Star midfielder, Jordan Chirico, proposed the ridiculous notion of asking the other team if we could borrow their away jersey for this single elimination cup match. I laughed at the silly thought and then realized that this was a relatively good idea. I sheepishly walked over, asked the question, in front of their 18 deep squad, with matching warm ups, single file lines and a guy with a whistle. Their coach, seeing 10 Rover idiots, milling around in jeans and coats, begrudgingly agreed.
Soon thereafter, Andy returned from his Queens boondoggle, bringing us to 11 players, no goalie and the other team's kit. At last, progress.
In addition, our goalie, Dave Boosh, had awakened, removed whatever objects were lodged in him from the night before, and was in a cab on his way to the field.
We start the match with 10 players, including part time goalkeeper Mark Kushemba in goal. In the first 10 minutes, it was clear and wait for the goalie to show, with Kush making an uncomfortable, yet effective slapping save in goal, to keep things level. Eventually our goalie shows up, and we proceeded to spank Istria in their own uniforms. I won't go into the details of the game as they are not nearly as interesting. First half we walked all over them. Pinged the ball around and should have netted five. Instead it was 2-0 (Pugli and Andy) on two well created and finished goals. Second half, we withstood a bit of pressure for 15 minutes. Boosh made a couple of nice saves, but then we broke it open with a couple more (Andy and Einar) on another pair of nice goals. All in all a good day’s work and we advance to the next round.
We will now wait for the formal protest to be filed by Istria.
TEAM: Boosh, Baskin, Wiggy, Kush, Sammy, Viddy, Randi, Jordy, Einar, Andy, Oren and Pugli. All played well.
Results: Reserves 12/7/08 State Cup 3rd round
NY Irish Rovers Res (LISFL) 4 Barnstonworth Rovers Res 2
Simply, Sunday was an amusing nightmare. It started only 6 players accounted for at 9:45 am and snowing, We found one in the subway, we forced a couple more from their sick bed, went around the city to pick them up, and Austin finally was allowed to leave the hospital. Off we were with what we thought we were 11 players ! Then as we were arriving at the venue Kushemba called !
The firsts playing at the same time were only 9, without a keeper but much worse –if that is possible for a cup tie - without Fonzie and the kit ! The next 45 min were spend trying to find them, then trying to get a kit and a goalie from Whitestone to the Oval !
Meanwhile the ref is telling our players on the sideline that he had a big fight w/his wife the night before and not to “F### with” him. Even Simon was bewildered. But that was just the beginnng.
Watching while trying to guide the awaken Broach to the Oval, Andy back to it and Baskin to borrow the other team’s kit and stall, I witness the ref stopping the match, running to Andrew and giving him a yellow, for asking for the ball ! The Irish with a first team out of the cup had several “fill ins.” One of them rushed past our entire line and slotted one home. Rovers 0-1.
By this time the phone call have ended, I go into the game, but from our first turnover, in go the Irish. Rovers 0-2.
Next, Simon call for the line to move up as we rush up the field. The ref stops the game with the ball in the other half, rushes to Simon and gives him a yellow. Soon it’s a comedy, everyone who opens their mouth is getting a yellow. Everytime its followed by a sarcastic “It’s a mistake” “oops another mistake, I am bad today” from the ref. Everytime we take a throw in, the ref says it was made too far behind the touchline and give the other team the ball. Meanwhile we are still trying to play football. The Irish first team keeper is warming up, but before he can get in, Yannick latches on to a ball in the area and put us back in the match. Rovers 1-2.
Austin had a shot on a turn to tie it just before the ref decides that 32 min is all that we should play and call it a half.
More Irish 1st team players arrive and are put in the match including their keeper. I inform them that in the cup you cannot do this, and that we would be protesting the match. They promptly show me, 32 – I counted them – yellow passes !
We are still trying to play football. Austin runs on a breakaway but a hapless last touch spoils it. Simon takes a cracker that nicks the outside of the far post. We are dominating.
Suddenly, the Irish find the ball in midfield, play a through ball to a guy 5 yards offside, we look at the ref, he smiles and lets him score as everyone watches. Then the ref turns to our defense and says “why are you complaining, Nigel is too good for you, he is too fast and you cannot stop him”
Despite the circumstances we are still playing and mostly dominating. Yannick get to a rebound, and again cuts the deficit to 1. Rovers 2-3.
Now we are pressing. All of a sudden the ref hears Stash. He stops the match and gives him a yellow. They ball is cleared by Willie near midfield. An irish players at midfield passes it to one of their players, camping out in our box, this time at least 10 yards off. Nobody even flinches, they guy looks back hears nothing, and puts the ball in the net. Rovers 2-4. Villie is besides himself “how can we play without rules” – and another yellow card. Austin now besides himself yells, “why don’t you give me one too while you are it” and so he gets one. Alex asks for one too – and he gets one. I am now livid, and ask the ref why is he doing this and I get a yellow.
Game restarts, we have played maybe 25 mins but apparently there are only 3 min left !
George stops and yells, “how about another mistake, this time maybe a pk for us ?” Ref stops and this time a straight red. Even the Irish are now taking the piss. Things turn ugly as one of the older Irish players makes some insensitive at best, racial insulting remarks at worse to Nick. As we try to hold him back, match ends. Austin approaches the ref about what is going on. He replies “you want to f### with me, you ll see what I will do to you, you will play again next year. I ll take care of you in my report” and gives him a post match red.
We get dressed and I go to pick up the cards. Ref refuses to give back the cards unless I tell him who is #3. I had no clue who #3 was. Tell him to look at the team-sheet, but of-course he had not waited for anyone to complete and sign a team sheet prior to the start, so there are no numbers on it. Austin still wearing his kit – the #3 – hears this, comes over and signs the sheet despite my objections. Again I ask the ref, why is he doing this, the match is over 15 min ago. He threatens me in Greek no less, then gives me back the cards, keeping a few, this time including mine !
Point of the story: don’t f### with a mad Greek.
Team: Mat Kaplan, Vilhelm Klareskov, Simon Caton, Daniel Cardozo, Stefan Lysak, Stash Rutkowski, Alex Carabano, Andrew George, Nick Reynolds, Yannick James, Austin Harris, Stavros Zomopoulos
Simply, Sunday was an amusing nightmare. It started only 6 players accounted for at 9:45 am and snowing, We found one in the subway, we forced a couple more from their sick bed, went around the city to pick them up, and Austin finally was allowed to leave the hospital. Off we were with what we thought we were 11 players ! Then as we were arriving at the venue Kushemba called !
The firsts playing at the same time were only 9, without a keeper but much worse –if that is possible for a cup tie - without Fonzie and the kit ! The next 45 min were spend trying to find them, then trying to get a kit and a goalie from Whitestone to the Oval !
Meanwhile the ref is telling our players on the sideline that he had a big fight w/his wife the night before and not to “F### with” him. Even Simon was bewildered. But that was just the beginnng.
Watching while trying to guide the awaken Broach to the Oval, Andy back to it and Baskin to borrow the other team’s kit and stall, I witness the ref stopping the match, running to Andrew and giving him a yellow, for asking for the ball ! The Irish with a first team out of the cup had several “fill ins.” One of them rushed past our entire line and slotted one home. Rovers 0-1.
By this time the phone call have ended, I go into the game, but from our first turnover, in go the Irish. Rovers 0-2.
Next, Simon call for the line to move up as we rush up the field. The ref stops the game with the ball in the other half, rushes to Simon and gives him a yellow. Soon it’s a comedy, everyone who opens their mouth is getting a yellow. Everytime its followed by a sarcastic “It’s a mistake” “oops another mistake, I am bad today” from the ref. Everytime we take a throw in, the ref says it was made too far behind the touchline and give the other team the ball. Meanwhile we are still trying to play football. The Irish first team keeper is warming up, but before he can get in, Yannick latches on to a ball in the area and put us back in the match. Rovers 1-2.
Austin had a shot on a turn to tie it just before the ref decides that 32 min is all that we should play and call it a half.
More Irish 1st team players arrive and are put in the match including their keeper. I inform them that in the cup you cannot do this, and that we would be protesting the match. They promptly show me, 32 – I counted them – yellow passes !
We are still trying to play football. Austin runs on a breakaway but a hapless last touch spoils it. Simon takes a cracker that nicks the outside of the far post. We are dominating.
Suddenly, the Irish find the ball in midfield, play a through ball to a guy 5 yards offside, we look at the ref, he smiles and lets him score as everyone watches. Then the ref turns to our defense and says “why are you complaining, Nigel is too good for you, he is too fast and you cannot stop him”
Despite the circumstances we are still playing and mostly dominating. Yannick get to a rebound, and again cuts the deficit to 1. Rovers 2-3.
Now we are pressing. All of a sudden the ref hears Stash. He stops the match and gives him a yellow. They ball is cleared by Willie near midfield. An irish players at midfield passes it to one of their players, camping out in our box, this time at least 10 yards off. Nobody even flinches, they guy looks back hears nothing, and puts the ball in the net. Rovers 2-4. Villie is besides himself “how can we play without rules” – and another yellow card. Austin now besides himself yells, “why don’t you give me one too while you are it” and so he gets one. Alex asks for one too – and he gets one. I am now livid, and ask the ref why is he doing this and I get a yellow.
Game restarts, we have played maybe 25 mins but apparently there are only 3 min left !
George stops and yells, “how about another mistake, this time maybe a pk for us ?” Ref stops and this time a straight red. Even the Irish are now taking the piss. Things turn ugly as one of the older Irish players makes some insensitive at best, racial insulting remarks at worse to Nick. As we try to hold him back, match ends. Austin approaches the ref about what is going on. He replies “you want to f### with me, you ll see what I will do to you, you will play again next year. I ll take care of you in my report” and gives him a post match red.
We get dressed and I go to pick up the cards. Ref refuses to give back the cards unless I tell him who is #3. I had no clue who #3 was. Tell him to look at the team-sheet, but of-course he had not waited for anyone to complete and sign a team sheet prior to the start, so there are no numbers on it. Austin still wearing his kit – the #3 – hears this, comes over and signs the sheet despite my objections. Again I ask the ref, why is he doing this, the match is over 15 min ago. He threatens me in Greek no less, then gives me back the cards, keeping a few, this time including mine !
Point of the story: don’t f### with a mad Greek.
Team: Mat Kaplan, Vilhelm Klareskov, Simon Caton, Daniel Cardozo, Stefan Lysak, Stash Rutkowski, Alex Carabano, Andrew George, Nick Reynolds, Yannick James, Austin Harris, Stavros Zomopoulos
Result:: Premier 12/7/08 by Kevin O'Donovan
12/7/08
Barnstonworth Premier 3 v Manhattan Kickers 2
Grand St. Field,
Peter Best, 2
Nedgy Nazon, 1 (then ended up in hospital for stitches and lost a tooth!)
We knew we would be in for a physical match against the Kickers. We started brightly and got two quick goals within the first 20 minutes after Carl's header was cleared off the line. The first came after Jeff or Dex? sent a long ball to Nedgy and who controlled, turned and hit looping 20 yard strike from that curled in under the crossbar. The next goal came after a series of several passes down the right side, Kendall's cross found Peter whose powerful shot easily beat the keeper. Then, somewhat against the run of play, Kickers got their first goal when a cross was deflected a few times until their towering striker nodded home from close range. Shortly thereafter, Andy got a second yellow and was sent off with 15 minutes to go in the first half. 2-1 at the half.
Coach Daly inserted himself at sweeper and we tried to hold down the fort. After a short spell of withstanding the pressure, Kickers equalized on a rocket volley from the top of the box. Somehow, then, our players played like we had 11 men instead of 10, pressing forward and while leaving ourselves exposed at the back, we managed to retain some possession. It came to fruition when the irrepressible Duane soloed past their defense as well as the keeper who had no choice but to take him down. Spot kick to Rovers. Peter stepped up, went to his right, the keeper blocked but Peter calmly slotted the rebound in for the winner. We've got Silver Lake next week and we'll be looking to make amends for the 4-1 loss to them earlier this Fall.
Squad: Kevin, Jeff, Carl, Andy, Will, Marc, Dex, Lex, Maurice, Kendall, Duane, Nedgy, Peter, Adrian, Fike, Chiv
Barnstonworth Premier 3 v Manhattan Kickers 2
Grand St. Field,
Peter Best, 2
Nedgy Nazon, 1 (then ended up in hospital for stitches and lost a tooth!)
We knew we would be in for a physical match against the Kickers. We started brightly and got two quick goals within the first 20 minutes after Carl's header was cleared off the line. The first came after Jeff or Dex? sent a long ball to Nedgy and who controlled, turned and hit looping 20 yard strike from that curled in under the crossbar. The next goal came after a series of several passes down the right side, Kendall's cross found Peter whose powerful shot easily beat the keeper. Then, somewhat against the run of play, Kickers got their first goal when a cross was deflected a few times until their towering striker nodded home from close range. Shortly thereafter, Andy got a second yellow and was sent off with 15 minutes to go in the first half. 2-1 at the half.
Coach Daly inserted himself at sweeper and we tried to hold down the fort. After a short spell of withstanding the pressure, Kickers equalized on a rocket volley from the top of the box. Somehow, then, our players played like we had 11 men instead of 10, pressing forward and while leaving ourselves exposed at the back, we managed to retain some possession. It came to fruition when the irrepressible Duane soloed past their defense as well as the keeper who had no choice but to take him down. Spot kick to Rovers. Peter stepped up, went to his right, the keeper blocked but Peter calmly slotted the rebound in for the winner. We've got Silver Lake next week and we'll be looking to make amends for the 4-1 loss to them earlier this Fall.
Squad: Kevin, Jeff, Carl, Andy, Will, Marc, Dex, Lex, Maurice, Kendall, Duane, Nedgy, Peter, Adrian, Fike, Chiv
O30's match report 12/7/08 - by Martin Mckinnon
Silver Lake o30s 4 BRFC o30's 3
nobody else will even wanna talk about it never mind write it so just to let yas know we found a new and even more upsetting way to lose.
playing a team that are somehow winning games and staying near the top in 'silver lake' we blew a 2-0 lead then 3-1 to go on and lose 4-3....in the old days when it was acceptable to kick your dog and beat your wife i'm sure we all would have gone home and taken that option!
luckily this the modern world and after a few pints we can get on with life and not worry about it - we had 3 beautiful goals from sven/jason/mike alexander and the plus side to the day was that the team we're chasing for 2nd spot 'kickers' lost to our sister club 'premier' who were sporting more gloves and tights than you'll see in the 2nd floor of Macy's.
nobody else will even wanna talk about it never mind write it so just to let yas know we found a new and even more upsetting way to lose.
playing a team that are somehow winning games and staying near the top in 'silver lake' we blew a 2-0 lead then 3-1 to go on and lose 4-3....in the old days when it was acceptable to kick your dog and beat your wife i'm sure we all would have gone home and taken that option!
luckily this the modern world and after a few pints we can get on with life and not worry about it - we had 3 beautiful goals from sven/jason/mike alexander and the plus side to the day was that the team we're chasing for 2nd spot 'kickers' lost to our sister club 'premier' who were sporting more gloves and tights than you'll see in the 2nd floor of Macy's.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Results: Firsts 11/25/08 US Open Cup Region Qrt-Final
Olympia ’78 (NESSL) 2 (4) Barnstonworth Rovers F.C. 2 (3)
The Rovers took a step backwards on Tuesday night crashing out of the US Open Cup in the first hurdle on penalties. It was the first time in 4 years that the Rovers lost a match from a team outside the league. The Rovers, too cavalier at times, conceded the equalize in the last minute of regulation, then after the West Indians missed the first penalty, missed 2 of the last 3 to lose the tie.
It should never have come to this. The opposition was a disorganized lesser quality side, that bantered, argued and several times delayed the match, but the malaise of not being able to finish opponents, and keep focus when changes that did not work as planned, hurt the Rovers. Andy thought he had give the Rovers the lead in the first 10 min, but the tap in was called back in the most bizarre manner, the linesman judging the ball has crossed the end line ! A few minutes later, Andy did open the score with a deadly finish. Rovers 1-0.
A long diagonal ball caught the Rover backs flat and allowed the Olympian striker to go on alone and tie the score. Rovers 1-1.
Did not take long for the Rovers to restore their advantage. This time Pugli received a diagonal pass in the box, and slotted it on the turn. Rovers 2-1.
Match should have been over 2 minutes later, when the West Indian sweeper gave the ball to Puglie all alone at the D. He strolled in but unsuccessfully tried to chip the keeper. Then it was Jordi’s ball that found a streaking Randi all alone in front of the goal. Somehow the ball glanced of his head and onto the keeper.
In the 2nd half the Rovers had a lot of room behind the Olympia defense playing for the offsides very high up the field. And as the opposition took chances to get back into the match, the Rovers had chance after chance. Had they been more cautious on their runs they would have easily killed off the match, but, too many times they were caught offsides. Still, they had some remarkable chances. Alex free running into the box chose to pass across it rather than finish. Sam was given the ball inside the six with the keeper on the opposite side of the goal but finished right on him !
As the Rover management averted the Pier 40 management when threatened to cut the match short due to a permit overrun, Olympia started to throw everything forward and their frantic movement disoriented the Rovers sufficiently to lose organization and focus. In the last minute their forward latched on to an unnecessary rebound and equalized.
The Rovers have not won a penalty shoot out since …..well… I cannot recall the last time they did.
The streak did not end Tuesday, even after Olympia missed the first kick.
Team: Dave Borchard, Sam Wiggin, Vidar Ekehaug, Randi Lee, Andy Abramovits, Einar Benedktsson, Colin Marshall, Jordan Chirico, Oren Nhaissi, Alfonzo Nanclares, Alex Cruz. Subs (all played) Sam Minaya, Austin Harris
The Rovers took a step backwards on Tuesday night crashing out of the US Open Cup in the first hurdle on penalties. It was the first time in 4 years that the Rovers lost a match from a team outside the league. The Rovers, too cavalier at times, conceded the equalize in the last minute of regulation, then after the West Indians missed the first penalty, missed 2 of the last 3 to lose the tie.
It should never have come to this. The opposition was a disorganized lesser quality side, that bantered, argued and several times delayed the match, but the malaise of not being able to finish opponents, and keep focus when changes that did not work as planned, hurt the Rovers. Andy thought he had give the Rovers the lead in the first 10 min, but the tap in was called back in the most bizarre manner, the linesman judging the ball has crossed the end line ! A few minutes later, Andy did open the score with a deadly finish. Rovers 1-0.
A long diagonal ball caught the Rover backs flat and allowed the Olympian striker to go on alone and tie the score. Rovers 1-1.
Did not take long for the Rovers to restore their advantage. This time Pugli received a diagonal pass in the box, and slotted it on the turn. Rovers 2-1.
Match should have been over 2 minutes later, when the West Indian sweeper gave the ball to Puglie all alone at the D. He strolled in but unsuccessfully tried to chip the keeper. Then it was Jordi’s ball that found a streaking Randi all alone in front of the goal. Somehow the ball glanced of his head and onto the keeper.
In the 2nd half the Rovers had a lot of room behind the Olympia defense playing for the offsides very high up the field. And as the opposition took chances to get back into the match, the Rovers had chance after chance. Had they been more cautious on their runs they would have easily killed off the match, but, too many times they were caught offsides. Still, they had some remarkable chances. Alex free running into the box chose to pass across it rather than finish. Sam was given the ball inside the six with the keeper on the opposite side of the goal but finished right on him !
As the Rover management averted the Pier 40 management when threatened to cut the match short due to a permit overrun, Olympia started to throw everything forward and their frantic movement disoriented the Rovers sufficiently to lose organization and focus. In the last minute their forward latched on to an unnecessary rebound and equalized.
The Rovers have not won a penalty shoot out since …..well… I cannot recall the last time they did.
The streak did not end Tuesday, even after Olympia missed the first kick.
Team: Dave Borchard, Sam Wiggin, Vidar Ekehaug, Randi Lee, Andy Abramovits, Einar Benedktsson, Colin Marshall, Jordan Chirico, Oren Nhaissi, Alfonzo Nanclares, Alex Cruz. Subs (all played) Sam Minaya, Austin Harris
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
BOB Result 11/23/08 by Dave Sheeran
Barnstonworth Old Boys - 4 Banatul SC - 2
After last week's disappointing exit from the State Cup at the hands of Div I leaders NY Dinamo, the Old Boys returned to league action and winning ways.
On a bright chilly morning at Forest Hills HS, we finally got under way after the 2 referees who showed up worked out who was actually going to officiate. Banatul started stronger while we struggled to find our rhythm in the game. They had plenty of possession early on but created very little, rarely bothering Zak in goal. We escaped an early penalty appeal when Greg somehow managed to get away with parrying the ball with both hands above his head - although the ball was struck from close range. We slowly started to make headway and took the game to Banatul... only for them to open the scoring.
An impressively theatrical dying swan routine just outside the box sold the referee on a free kick, which was nicely dispatched around the wall and into the corner despite Zak's efforts. In a rare period of Old Boys bitching, we spent the next 10 minutes squabbling with passes going astray and tackles missed, until Dominator took an opportunity during a break in play to tell everyone to shut the f*ck up. We did, and ran down the other end to score. Three times.
Brian got a couple, including a nice run down the right, beating the keeper from a narrow angle at the near post (ignoring his teammates on the 6 yard line of course) and another run down the left which was (gasp!) cut back to Cesar, who finished with a nice dink with the outside of his right boot. Seeing their 1-0 lead rapidly turn into a 3-1 deficit caused several Banatul players to start throwing their toys out of the pram, including a classic Jerome Albertini style stomp off the pitch and shirt throwing routine. The Corsican would have been proud.
We had more chances to score, but it remained 3-1 at the break. Most of the second half we controlled easily and on more than one occasion we went all Arsenal and tried too hard to make it look good instead of being incisive. At one point, we had 4 players in the Banatul box against a couple of defenders, but everyone was too polite and passed it around inviting teammates to shoot. We eventually hit the bar. We did finally grab the 4th goal, again with bodies in the box, the ball falling to Brian 12 yards out and he'll rarely look for the pass in that position, and he gave the keeper no chance to notch his hattrick.
Late on, we either took our foot/feet of the gas or Banatul upped their game as they had some extended periods of pressure. Despite that, they were only dangerous from set pieces and after a succession of well-placed corners, they managed to bundle one in at the back post. But there was never any danger of a come-back.
There was a nasty moment late on when Chip took a ball to the face and we were all immediately worried for his boyish good looks. Thankfully, the pain he was experiencing was internal.
Solid performances all-round again, especially since we were missing one or two key players (don't tell them that) - in particular, Steve "Luxury" Condos who's been playing out of his skin all season. Also, good to have Zak van Buren back in the Rovers fold after his return from Hong Kong, filling in for yours truly for the second game.
So still unbeaten in the league, but still chasing Tesoro who continue to rattle off the wins each week. One more game for us on December 7th before the winter break.
BOB: Zak, Dominator, Greg, Lordy, Macca, Chip, Luxury, Billy, Colin, Jeff, Josh, Negro, Luxury, Unmackers.
After last week's disappointing exit from the State Cup at the hands of Div I leaders NY Dinamo, the Old Boys returned to league action and winning ways.
On a bright chilly morning at Forest Hills HS, we finally got under way after the 2 referees who showed up worked out who was actually going to officiate. Banatul started stronger while we struggled to find our rhythm in the game. They had plenty of possession early on but created very little, rarely bothering Zak in goal. We escaped an early penalty appeal when Greg somehow managed to get away with parrying the ball with both hands above his head - although the ball was struck from close range. We slowly started to make headway and took the game to Banatul... only for them to open the scoring.
An impressively theatrical dying swan routine just outside the box sold the referee on a free kick, which was nicely dispatched around the wall and into the corner despite Zak's efforts. In a rare period of Old Boys bitching, we spent the next 10 minutes squabbling with passes going astray and tackles missed, until Dominator took an opportunity during a break in play to tell everyone to shut the f*ck up. We did, and ran down the other end to score. Three times.
Brian got a couple, including a nice run down the right, beating the keeper from a narrow angle at the near post (ignoring his teammates on the 6 yard line of course) and another run down the left which was (gasp!) cut back to Cesar, who finished with a nice dink with the outside of his right boot. Seeing their 1-0 lead rapidly turn into a 3-1 deficit caused several Banatul players to start throwing their toys out of the pram, including a classic Jerome Albertini style stomp off the pitch and shirt throwing routine. The Corsican would have been proud.
We had more chances to score, but it remained 3-1 at the break. Most of the second half we controlled easily and on more than one occasion we went all Arsenal and tried too hard to make it look good instead of being incisive. At one point, we had 4 players in the Banatul box against a couple of defenders, but everyone was too polite and passed it around inviting teammates to shoot. We eventually hit the bar. We did finally grab the 4th goal, again with bodies in the box, the ball falling to Brian 12 yards out and he'll rarely look for the pass in that position, and he gave the keeper no chance to notch his hattrick.
Late on, we either took our foot/feet of the gas or Banatul upped their game as they had some extended periods of pressure. Despite that, they were only dangerous from set pieces and after a succession of well-placed corners, they managed to bundle one in at the back post. But there was never any danger of a come-back.
There was a nasty moment late on when Chip took a ball to the face and we were all immediately worried for his boyish good looks. Thankfully, the pain he was experiencing was internal.
Solid performances all-round again, especially since we were missing one or two key players (don't tell them that) - in particular, Steve "Luxury" Condos who's been playing out of his skin all season. Also, good to have Zak van Buren back in the Rovers fold after his return from Hong Kong, filling in for yours truly for the second game.
So still unbeaten in the league, but still chasing Tesoro who continue to rattle off the wins each week. One more game for us on December 7th before the winter break.
BOB: Zak, Dominator, Greg, Lordy, Macca, Chip, Luxury, Billy, Colin, Jeff, Josh, Negro, Luxury, Unmackers.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Results: Firsts/Res 11/23/08
Stan Mielec 2 Barnstonworth Rovers 1
The Rovers dropped another 3 points against relegation favorites Stan Meilec. This year the Rovers have lacked the consistency that brought them to the brink of the CSL title match last season, and have lost 8 points in 3 matches vs the bottom teams. The Rovers completely dominated play but their profligate finishing cost them. In contrast, the poles scored on both of their shots on goal, both in the first 3 minutes of each half.
A polish attack from their ended with a ball coming in the middle of the Rover area. The Stan Meilec forward lunged and chipped over Broach. Rovers 0-1.
The Rovers had the ball on the ground and created chance after chance. Einar had a great chance with a header 2 yards out of the far post, but somehow the keere parried. Colin's free kick went just over the bar, and Jordi cut in from the right fed the ball across the six, but somehow the Rovers could not connect. Oren cut diagonally to the middle, found himself alone in the area but could not find the back of the net.
The second half starting identically. Stan Meilec in their first and only attack - if you can call it that - go the ball to the Rovers left, then passed to a forward outside the D. Surrounded by 3 Rover defenders the guy curls a speculative shot that spectacularly tucks under and inside the far upper 90. Rovers 0-2.
Still it was a match the Rovers should have turned. Again they created chance after chance after chance but without the clinical Pugli, could not find the net. Finally with 20 to go, Einar found Jordi on the left, he beat his marker deep cut inside, and got the ball in the middle where Andy slid it home. Rovers 1-2.
Comeback on, right ? Almost. Next attack the ball is incredible saved from a Wiggi header and Fonzie pushes it surely past the line, but it hits Alex and goes wide ! And from the cross, the ball is rolling on the line, Alex toes it - surely the equalizer - but somehow he toes it in a parabolically outward trajectory and around the far post ! (dont ask i cannot explain it). And this was not nearly the last Rover chance. Many followed. With 5 to go, Oren crosses just inside the six. Austin is there to prolifically get another important goal, but he loses the ball in the floodlights and lets it glance of his forehead and into the waiting lap of the polish keeper. Finally, in extra time, Sam gets it through the middle inside the area but scuffs it once again at the keeper.
A very important 3 point wasted that the Rovers will need to make up during the season if they are to repeat last years playoff appearance.
Team: Dave Borchard, Sam Wiggin, Vidar Ekehaug, Randi Lee, Andy Abramovits, Einar Benedktsson, Colin Marshall, Jordan Chirico, Oren Nhaissi, Alfonzo Nanclares, Alex Cruz. Subs (all played) Sam Minaya, Austin Harris
Stan Mielec Res 2 Barnstonworth Rovers Res 5
The Reserves, reinforced with a reappearance from Mike Alexander and a fitness run from Baskin, scored 3 in the first half to kill off the hapless poles. The first 2 came from good finishes inside the area by Yannick, the third a nice far post finish by Stavros. Austin set up all 3 of the goals. In the second half, Baskin made in 4 with a shot from inside the area and Sam rounded up the scoring after a breakaway. Late on, the many unfamiliar changes in the back to allow some players to play on the top half of the pitch ruined the clean sheet the stellar Kaplan performance deserved.
Team: Mat Kaplan, Mike Alexander, Stefan Lysak, Simon Caton, Daniel Cardozo, Stavros Zomopoulos, Ron Baskin, Stash Rutkowski, Nick Reynolds, Austin Harris, Yannick James. Subs (played) Alex Carabano, Sam Minaya
The Rovers dropped another 3 points against relegation favorites Stan Meilec. This year the Rovers have lacked the consistency that brought them to the brink of the CSL title match last season, and have lost 8 points in 3 matches vs the bottom teams. The Rovers completely dominated play but their profligate finishing cost them. In contrast, the poles scored on both of their shots on goal, both in the first 3 minutes of each half.
A polish attack from their ended with a ball coming in the middle of the Rover area. The Stan Meilec forward lunged and chipped over Broach. Rovers 0-1.
The Rovers had the ball on the ground and created chance after chance. Einar had a great chance with a header 2 yards out of the far post, but somehow the keere parried. Colin's free kick went just over the bar, and Jordi cut in from the right fed the ball across the six, but somehow the Rovers could not connect. Oren cut diagonally to the middle, found himself alone in the area but could not find the back of the net.
The second half starting identically. Stan Meilec in their first and only attack - if you can call it that - go the ball to the Rovers left, then passed to a forward outside the D. Surrounded by 3 Rover defenders the guy curls a speculative shot that spectacularly tucks under and inside the far upper 90. Rovers 0-2.
Still it was a match the Rovers should have turned. Again they created chance after chance after chance but without the clinical Pugli, could not find the net. Finally with 20 to go, Einar found Jordi on the left, he beat his marker deep cut inside, and got the ball in the middle where Andy slid it home. Rovers 1-2.
Comeback on, right ? Almost. Next attack the ball is incredible saved from a Wiggi header and Fonzie pushes it surely past the line, but it hits Alex and goes wide ! And from the cross, the ball is rolling on the line, Alex toes it - surely the equalizer - but somehow he toes it in a parabolically outward trajectory and around the far post ! (dont ask i cannot explain it). And this was not nearly the last Rover chance. Many followed. With 5 to go, Oren crosses just inside the six. Austin is there to prolifically get another important goal, but he loses the ball in the floodlights and lets it glance of his forehead and into the waiting lap of the polish keeper. Finally, in extra time, Sam gets it through the middle inside the area but scuffs it once again at the keeper.
A very important 3 point wasted that the Rovers will need to make up during the season if they are to repeat last years playoff appearance.
Team: Dave Borchard, Sam Wiggin, Vidar Ekehaug, Randi Lee, Andy Abramovits, Einar Benedktsson, Colin Marshall, Jordan Chirico, Oren Nhaissi, Alfonzo Nanclares, Alex Cruz. Subs (all played) Sam Minaya, Austin Harris
Stan Mielec Res 2 Barnstonworth Rovers Res 5
The Reserves, reinforced with a reappearance from Mike Alexander and a fitness run from Baskin, scored 3 in the first half to kill off the hapless poles. The first 2 came from good finishes inside the area by Yannick, the third a nice far post finish by Stavros. Austin set up all 3 of the goals. In the second half, Baskin made in 4 with a shot from inside the area and Sam rounded up the scoring after a breakaway. Late on, the many unfamiliar changes in the back to allow some players to play on the top half of the pitch ruined the clean sheet the stellar Kaplan performance deserved.
Team: Mat Kaplan, Mike Alexander, Stefan Lysak, Simon Caton, Daniel Cardozo, Stavros Zomopoulos, Ron Baskin, Stash Rutkowski, Nick Reynolds, Austin Harris, Yannick James. Subs (played) Alex Carabano, Sam Minaya
R2D2 undoes Men's Premier for performance of the weekend by Nicolas
R2D2 11 Astoria Dragonflies 0
As R2D2's Sunday opponents, the Astoria Dragonflies were trailing at the very bottom of the League, the question was not if we would win the game but what the margin of victory would be. And what a margin it ended up being. With a final score of 11-0, R2D2 recorded its best score ever and undid the 9-0 of the Men's Rovers Premier team in terms of Rovers' performance of the weekend.
In order to up the ante, R2D2 opted for a resolutely offensive formation with a flat 3 defense at the back and an extra striker up front. From the start of the game, it looked like the strategy would pay off. The very first ball indeed moved quickly up the field in 3 flowing passes which ended up with a clean shot, miraculously caught
by the goalie. During the next 25 minutes, the Astoria goalie and their sweeper would actually prove well above the rest of their team, managing to keep us from scoring despite numerous chances and outrageous domination. At the 25th, Stacy surprised everybody - including herself - with a superb right footed strike from 15 yards out which flew straight into the right corner of the goal. Stacy's first goal with R2D2 proved crucial in freeing us psychologically and giving us a winning way into the game. Emily K and Darlene, then added one each to give us a 3-0 advantage by half time. In the second half, R2D2 focused on playing a one touch passing game using control of the ball, speed and accuracy to create space and open up opportunities. It was definitely a day with for R2D2 as the recipe worked to perfection and we started cashing in goals with frightening efficiency. Within the next 45 minutes, Kerri bagged a hat trick, Kristen build up 2 of her own, Emily added one to her tally, and Caroline reinventing herself as a striker got one too. Add one own goal from Astoria and that is 1 goal every 5 minutes and 20 seconds.
Final score : 11-0.
With this week's win (the 7th in a row), R2D2 ends up the Fall season in first place, tied for points with the Skulls (the Skulls however have one game in hand – a difficult one - which they will play in the Spring) with the best offense of the League (30 goals scored), the best goal difference (25), and the second best defense (5 goals conceded and 6 clean sheets).
The B League has proved of a much higher quality this year than it has been in the past and apart the odd game, every win of R2D2 has been hard fought and thoroughly earned. With a number of teams fighting to move up from their mid table position, the Spring season promises to be very challenging so stay tuned for more…
The Ladies hope to see you all to celebrate the end of the year on the 12th at Nevada Smith.
As R2D2's Sunday opponents, the Astoria Dragonflies were trailing at the very bottom of the League, the question was not if we would win the game but what the margin of victory would be. And what a margin it ended up being. With a final score of 11-0, R2D2 recorded its best score ever and undid the 9-0 of the Men's Rovers Premier team in terms of Rovers' performance of the weekend.
In order to up the ante, R2D2 opted for a resolutely offensive formation with a flat 3 defense at the back and an extra striker up front. From the start of the game, it looked like the strategy would pay off. The very first ball indeed moved quickly up the field in 3 flowing passes which ended up with a clean shot, miraculously caught
by the goalie. During the next 25 minutes, the Astoria goalie and their sweeper would actually prove well above the rest of their team, managing to keep us from scoring despite numerous chances and outrageous domination. At the 25th, Stacy surprised everybody - including herself - with a superb right footed strike from 15 yards out which flew straight into the right corner of the goal. Stacy's first goal with R2D2 proved crucial in freeing us psychologically and giving us a winning way into the game. Emily K and Darlene, then added one each to give us a 3-0 advantage by half time. In the second half, R2D2 focused on playing a one touch passing game using control of the ball, speed and accuracy to create space and open up opportunities. It was definitely a day with for R2D2 as the recipe worked to perfection and we started cashing in goals with frightening efficiency. Within the next 45 minutes, Kerri bagged a hat trick, Kristen build up 2 of her own, Emily added one to her tally, and Caroline reinventing herself as a striker got one too. Add one own goal from Astoria and that is 1 goal every 5 minutes and 20 seconds.
Final score : 11-0.
With this week's win (the 7th in a row), R2D2 ends up the Fall season in first place, tied for points with the Skulls (the Skulls however have one game in hand – a difficult one - which they will play in the Spring) with the best offense of the League (30 goals scored), the best goal difference (25), and the second best defense (5 goals conceded and 6 clean sheets).
The B League has proved of a much higher quality this year than it has been in the past and apart the odd game, every win of R2D2 has been hard fought and thoroughly earned. With a number of teams fighting to move up from their mid table position, the Spring season promises to be very challenging so stay tuned for more…
The Ladies hope to see you all to celebrate the end of the year on the 12th at Nevada Smith.
11/23/08 Premier Match Repor by Kevin O'Donovan
Barnstonworth Premier 9 v Guyana Veterans B 0
Verrazano Sports Complex
Duane Pena, 3, Lex Lovell, 2, Adrian, 2, Chivon Thornhill, Carl Gajewski
Who says we need Nedgy and Marlon to score goals? We put up 9 today on the hapless Guyana Veterans B who started with 8 men and only one more showed up for them at halftime. I never touched the ball with my hands all game. Fortunately, Carl was generous and gave me multiple passbacks. They held their own for 20 minutes before Lex took matters into his own hands by scoring the first goal by following up his shot that caromed off the post. The floodgates then opened and we scored 5 by the half. 4 in the second half. I may have one or two of the goals wrong but Duane had a hattrick in the first half. We have a week off and then it's the Kickers.
Squad: Kevin, Jeff, Carl, Andy, Will, Yogi, Peter, Lex, Maurice, Kendall, Pompey, Dex, Adrian, Duane, Fike, Chiv
Verrazano Sports Complex
Duane Pena, 3, Lex Lovell, 2, Adrian, 2, Chivon Thornhill, Carl Gajewski
Who says we need Nedgy and Marlon to score goals? We put up 9 today on the hapless Guyana Veterans B who started with 8 men and only one more showed up for them at halftime. I never touched the ball with my hands all game. Fortunately, Carl was generous and gave me multiple passbacks. They held their own for 20 minutes before Lex took matters into his own hands by scoring the first goal by following up his shot that caromed off the post. The floodgates then opened and we scored 5 by the half. 4 in the second half. I may have one or two of the goals wrong but Duane had a hattrick in the first half. We have a week off and then it's the Kickers.
Squad: Kevin, Jeff, Carl, Andy, Will, Yogi, Peter, Lex, Maurice, Kendall, Pompey, Dex, Adrian, Duane, Fike, Chiv
Friday, November 21, 2008
Results: Firsts 11/16/08 State Cup Rd 1
West Indies United (LISFL) 0 Barnstonworth Rovers 3
The Rovers resumed normal service in the 1st round State Cup reply that was cut short due to light failure, soundly beating the West Indian side 3-0. Einar put the Rovers in front in the first half, and Andy, after assisting on Einars goal, notched 2 more to close the deal in the second.
Worse part of the day was the travel to the middle of nowhere, and having to pay the refs !
Team: David Borchard, Sam Wiggin, Mark Kushemba, Vidar Ekehaug, Randi Lee, Colin Marshall, Jordan Chirico, Einar Benedktsson, Oren Nhaissi, Andy Abramovits, Alex Cruz Subs (all played) Alfonzo Nanclares, Sam Minaya, Ron Baskin
The Rovers resumed normal service in the 1st round State Cup reply that was cut short due to light failure, soundly beating the West Indian side 3-0. Einar put the Rovers in front in the first half, and Andy, after assisting on Einars goal, notched 2 more to close the deal in the second.
Worse part of the day was the travel to the middle of nowhere, and having to pay the refs !
Team: David Borchard, Sam Wiggin, Mark Kushemba, Vidar Ekehaug, Randi Lee, Colin Marshall, Jordan Chirico, Einar Benedktsson, Oren Nhaissi, Andy Abramovits, Alex Cruz Subs (all played) Alfonzo Nanclares, Sam Minaya, Ron Baskin
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
BRFC Reserves 0 (4) - BRFC Thirds 0 (1), 11/18/08
From the desk of Thirds' own, Sholltrain:
The 2008 State Cup paired two of our very own club teams in a historic match for the ages. The "Bickering" Reserves vs. the "Fifths" (think liquor) Thirds. The match was slated for a 12:30 kickoff, which normally would have left enough time for even the hardest of partiers out late to stumble out of bed with whisky breath, shower, shave and have a smoke before taking public transportation out to the field with plenty of time to warm-up. The Thirds seem to have kept themselves out of too much trouble the night before with 16 players arriving well in time. The Reserves, however, found themselves with only a handful of players at kickoff time, no coach and no uniforms. Soon, 10 players were ready. Stavros, in keeping with his famed reputation for buying
time, laced and re-laced his boots to match specification which added an extra fifteen minutes to the game start time. Unable to hold off the ref any longer, the match began with the Reserves down a man.
It was a blistering, bleak, windy day, which accounted for Stavros' gloved hands and Austin's skull-cap adorning their uniformed selves. Oddly enough, Austin felt the warmth from some streaking crossing runs and felt the need to hold his hat in-hand for the rest of the half. Austin had an early chance which somehow did not find the back of the net. The pressure was on from the Reserves from the start, owing to the fact they would not accept getting beaten being a man down. #8 needled through the defense early and struck a keeper-beater across the front of the goal which took a Thirds bounce off the far post and stayed in bounds for Zac to recover. The ball was kept in the Thirds half for the first 20 min, until the midfield decided to get involved and work the ball towards the other end of the pitch. At some point before the middle of the first half, a strange sight was beheld by all, Stash diving over the fence at breakneck speed trying to get down to the field to aid his fellow Reserves as the eleventh man. Utility player J.Brown played sweeper for the Thirds and was seen slide-tackling and coughing out the remains of lung throughout the match.
Cardozo, for the Reserves, had a tough match. His whining British accent could be heard throughout the match, but when Mike followed through on a 50-50 ball to his stomach, the high-pitched whelps emoting from this man scared the pigeons off the telephone poles lining the field. Such a display of histrionics is rarely seen even on today's finest television serials. The whining even got to his own team, as later in the match I believe his own keeper struck him in the head (following a punch-out from a cross.)
Poor Austin did not have an easy afternoon either. After complaining early on of being fouled and threatening to start diving, the referee advised him he would not call any fouls on him. So all bets were off, and Darrell and Mackers took turns harassing him all around the field, not allowing him much more than a few steps before dispossessing him of the ball, and sometimes even his manhood as he later protested. The Reserve defense held strong throughout, not allowing much in terms of opportunities to score from the Thirds. Not helping our effort, Gustavo was sick and could not dispatch the 2 or 3 guys swarming him in the middle with his normal efficiency.
Halftime: 0-0
The second half saw much of the same in terms of a back-and-forth effort across the middle. #7 for the Reserves was all over the field causing chaos and confusion amongst who should defend him, leaving him to complete his sharp accurate through-balls and controlling the midfield. Chances to score were seen on both sides, with Mike having a couple shots and Okey missing a chance in front of an open net that hopefully will haunt him until his dying day. Unlucky for the Thirds, most shots were directly to their keeper, who had a stellar game with few mistakes. Scoring chances for the Reserves saw a few shots sail over the top of the goal, with a spectacular shot going to the top right of the net. Somehow, Zac's bragging finally came together with his talent and his horizontal leap 6' in the air allowed him to block the ball down and land on it a foot from the goal line. His wind was knocked out, allowing the Thirds a brief respite from his barking loud mouth, so we were able to continue without a running commentary from the backfield.
The end of the match closed with the teams tied at nil. On to PKs.
This is the shortest paragraph as the Keeper for the Reserves was clearly better matched for this situation, blocking the Thirds second kick and seeing the third shot sail wide.
Reserves 0 - 0 (4-1 PKs)
Now this leads to the greater questions which our club needs to ask itself. Which of the teams is better suited to be the Reserve team? A case was made in this effort that clearly the distinction is blurred.
Thirds: Zac; Brown, Derek, Nick and Darrell; Vinnie, Gustavo, Mike and
Ryan, Juan and Brandon.
Subs (all played): Mackers, Sholl, Bernfeld, Donald and Okey.
The 2008 State Cup paired two of our very own club teams in a historic match for the ages. The "Bickering" Reserves vs. the "Fifths" (think liquor) Thirds. The match was slated for a 12:30 kickoff, which normally would have left enough time for even the hardest of partiers out late to stumble out of bed with whisky breath, shower, shave and have a smoke before taking public transportation out to the field with plenty of time to warm-up. The Thirds seem to have kept themselves out of too much trouble the night before with 16 players arriving well in time. The Reserves, however, found themselves with only a handful of players at kickoff time, no coach and no uniforms. Soon, 10 players were ready. Stavros, in keeping with his famed reputation for buying
time, laced and re-laced his boots to match specification which added an extra fifteen minutes to the game start time. Unable to hold off the ref any longer, the match began with the Reserves down a man.
It was a blistering, bleak, windy day, which accounted for Stavros' gloved hands and Austin's skull-cap adorning their uniformed selves. Oddly enough, Austin felt the warmth from some streaking crossing runs and felt the need to hold his hat in-hand for the rest of the half. Austin had an early chance which somehow did not find the back of the net. The pressure was on from the Reserves from the start, owing to the fact they would not accept getting beaten being a man down. #8 needled through the defense early and struck a keeper-beater across the front of the goal which took a Thirds bounce off the far post and stayed in bounds for Zac to recover. The ball was kept in the Thirds half for the first 20 min, until the midfield decided to get involved and work the ball towards the other end of the pitch. At some point before the middle of the first half, a strange sight was beheld by all, Stash diving over the fence at breakneck speed trying to get down to the field to aid his fellow Reserves as the eleventh man. Utility player J.Brown played sweeper for the Thirds and was seen slide-tackling and coughing out the remains of lung throughout the match.
Cardozo, for the Reserves, had a tough match. His whining British accent could be heard throughout the match, but when Mike followed through on a 50-50 ball to his stomach, the high-pitched whelps emoting from this man scared the pigeons off the telephone poles lining the field. Such a display of histrionics is rarely seen even on today's finest television serials. The whining even got to his own team, as later in the match I believe his own keeper struck him in the head (following a punch-out from a cross.)
Poor Austin did not have an easy afternoon either. After complaining early on of being fouled and threatening to start diving, the referee advised him he would not call any fouls on him. So all bets were off, and Darrell and Mackers took turns harassing him all around the field, not allowing him much more than a few steps before dispossessing him of the ball, and sometimes even his manhood as he later protested. The Reserve defense held strong throughout, not allowing much in terms of opportunities to score from the Thirds. Not helping our effort, Gustavo was sick and could not dispatch the 2 or 3 guys swarming him in the middle with his normal efficiency.
Halftime: 0-0
The second half saw much of the same in terms of a back-and-forth effort across the middle. #7 for the Reserves was all over the field causing chaos and confusion amongst who should defend him, leaving him to complete his sharp accurate through-balls and controlling the midfield. Chances to score were seen on both sides, with Mike having a couple shots and Okey missing a chance in front of an open net that hopefully will haunt him until his dying day. Unlucky for the Thirds, most shots were directly to their keeper, who had a stellar game with few mistakes. Scoring chances for the Reserves saw a few shots sail over the top of the goal, with a spectacular shot going to the top right of the net. Somehow, Zac's bragging finally came together with his talent and his horizontal leap 6' in the air allowed him to block the ball down and land on it a foot from the goal line. His wind was knocked out, allowing the Thirds a brief respite from his barking loud mouth, so we were able to continue without a running commentary from the backfield.
The end of the match closed with the teams tied at nil. On to PKs.
This is the shortest paragraph as the Keeper for the Reserves was clearly better matched for this situation, blocking the Thirds second kick and seeing the third shot sail wide.
Reserves 0 - 0 (4-1 PKs)
Now this leads to the greater questions which our club needs to ask itself. Which of the teams is better suited to be the Reserve team? A case was made in this effort that clearly the distinction is blurred.
Thirds: Zac; Brown, Derek, Nick and Darrell; Vinnie, Gustavo, Mike and
Ryan, Juan and Brandon.
Subs (all played): Mackers, Sholl, Bernfeld, Donald and Okey.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Premier 11/16/08 - o30's State Cup Rd 2 - by Kevnin O'Donovan
Barnstonworth Premier 1 v Istria FC (LISFL)4
Forest Hills HS (Marlon Johnson)
Premier had the misfortune to draw the 2007 State Cup Champs and perennial LISFL powerhouse Istria. But if there was a time to play them, it seemed like now was a good a time as any. Premier was in good form with most players making the games and Istria with only a .500 record this season. And on cue, we had 18 people show up for the match! Only on extremely rare occasions do you have to fill out the entire lineup sheet.
From the opening kickoff and for the first 20 minutes, Istria had us under pressure as we struggled to get possession. They were skillful in the midfield and played quick 1- and 2-touch football. Istria scored on their first good chance when a low cross to the penalty spot was just within reach of Carl but no match for the well-timed run of their striker whose left-footed strike left Kevin with no chance. As often happens, the goal put some life into us and we began to play with more speed and conviction. Not long after a nicely weighted through ball from Pompey? found Nedgy, onside he says, who quickly turned and slotted the ball into the back of the net. However, the ref said he was offside. We finally equalized when an excellent sequence of 6 passes worked the ball around the back to Duane on the left flank who streaked down the line and fed Marlon in the 6 yard box. Marlon held off the challenge of the defender and tapped home. 1-1 at the half.
The second half saw Istria regain the upper hand and they put us under sustained pressure and created several good chances. We defended well but did not create too many chances, the best of which was Nedgy's lob over the keeper that narrowly missed. The match was tied until the 75th minute when on an Istria set piece, the ball came across goal, yours truly called for it and probably would have had it but I let it go thinking it would go wide. They had a guy sneak in beyond the back stick who headed back across goal for an easy tap in by their striker. Martino had this guy marked but I imagine he let up thinking I would punch clear. Istria soon had their third when they virtually passed the ball into the back of the net after 6 or 7 passes. Down 3-1, Marc pushed up with a third striker and not longer after Istria had their fourth and nearly more. And so to put a positive spin on the defeat, we were in it with a chance to win until late in the match despite having less possession and creating far fewer chances than our opponents. Now its back to league play against Guyana B.
Squad: Kevin, Carl, Dex, Will, Martino, Chivon, Yogi, Pompey, Lex, Peter, Kendall, Nedgy, Marlon, Duane, Bash, Fike, Maurice, Marc
Forest Hills HS (Marlon Johnson)
Premier had the misfortune to draw the 2007 State Cup Champs and perennial LISFL powerhouse Istria. But if there was a time to play them, it seemed like now was a good a time as any. Premier was in good form with most players making the games and Istria with only a .500 record this season. And on cue, we had 18 people show up for the match! Only on extremely rare occasions do you have to fill out the entire lineup sheet.
From the opening kickoff and for the first 20 minutes, Istria had us under pressure as we struggled to get possession. They were skillful in the midfield and played quick 1- and 2-touch football. Istria scored on their first good chance when a low cross to the penalty spot was just within reach of Carl but no match for the well-timed run of their striker whose left-footed strike left Kevin with no chance. As often happens, the goal put some life into us and we began to play with more speed and conviction. Not long after a nicely weighted through ball from Pompey? found Nedgy, onside he says, who quickly turned and slotted the ball into the back of the net. However, the ref said he was offside. We finally equalized when an excellent sequence of 6 passes worked the ball around the back to Duane on the left flank who streaked down the line and fed Marlon in the 6 yard box. Marlon held off the challenge of the defender and tapped home. 1-1 at the half.
The second half saw Istria regain the upper hand and they put us under sustained pressure and created several good chances. We defended well but did not create too many chances, the best of which was Nedgy's lob over the keeper that narrowly missed. The match was tied until the 75th minute when on an Istria set piece, the ball came across goal, yours truly called for it and probably would have had it but I let it go thinking it would go wide. They had a guy sneak in beyond the back stick who headed back across goal for an easy tap in by their striker. Martino had this guy marked but I imagine he let up thinking I would punch clear. Istria soon had their third when they virtually passed the ball into the back of the net after 6 or 7 passes. Down 3-1, Marc pushed up with a third striker and not longer after Istria had their fourth and nearly more. And so to put a positive spin on the defeat, we were in it with a chance to win until late in the match despite having less possession and creating far fewer chances than our opponents. Now its back to league play against Guyana B.
Squad: Kevin, Carl, Dex, Will, Martino, Chivon, Yogi, Pompey, Lex, Peter, Kendall, Nedgy, Marlon, Duane, Bash, Fike, Maurice, Marc
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
