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Venue: Randalls Island Field #74
Date & Time: Sunday May 3rd – 2pm & 4pm
Meet Details : Central Bar 12pm
Kits & Cars: Please BRING KITS IF YOU HAVE THEM (Mr Chilton)
Filed under: Time Out
Sunday fun in the sun from 1pm onwards in Fort Greene park (changed from Prospect park due to popular demand) 3 minutes over Manhattan bridge. Greg will be bringing grill so bring your foods, gals and Rackets (tennis courts as well). Manhattan newbies check out subway map references below.
Hope many can make it a good day out. Post questions and whatever else, bring foods/wines/beers/balls, frisbies etc
CPR Red Reserves 1 – 2 Clarkstown
The reserves were looking to sure up their title chances on a nice warm Sunday afternoon at the field next to Icahn Stadium. The gaffer’s starting lineup consisted of Big T. (g), Eduardo M. (RB), Gonzo and Steve R. (CBs), Ferd P (LB), Charles L. (RM), Gary Mac and Phil (CM), Han (LM) and Bola and Ugo up top. On the bench were Roddy, Alex (aka Mo), Matt and Greg. The team was very focused and determined to beat Clarkstown after drawing earlier in the season and continuing with their Spring unbeaten streak. The ref blew his whistle for the start and Clarkstown quickly implemented their possession game. Unlike the previous match, Clarkstown opted to move the ball on the ground with short passes instead of long balls in an attempt to break the Reds Reserves defense. Clarkstown had a couple of chances, but Big T was quick off his line to end the threats. The Reds first chance came after Gary Mack spotted the Reds Reserves’ Boca Juniors Right Back look-a-like Eddie Mazzi (looks like Hugo Ibarra) making an uncontested run and delivering a perfect through ball that saw Mazzi taking a touch to set up the shot and then blasting a right footer just inside the 18 that just missed the near post.
The second half started with a varied line-up from the Reds. Big T was still in goal, Matt (RB), Charlie and Greg (CB), Ferd (LB), Ugo (RM), Gary and Phil (CM), Han (LM), Sean (just in front of the midfield and Bola up top. The Gaffer emphasized that the midfield play more settle in their positions and stop running all over the enormous field after the clarkstwon players. It did not work immediately as Clarkstown managed to work 5 minutes into the second. The goal woke the Reds and they began to play a bit more settled. About 20 to 25 minutes into the second half. the Reds finally played a ball out from the back. T played the ball to Mazzi, Mazzi to Gary Mack who then found Ugo on the right wing in the midfield. Ugo held the ball until he drew in a Clarkstown defender and then acknowledged Bola’s run with perfectly measured through ball. Clarkstwon claimed for a offsides, but Bola did not stop, breaking away and ending up with a one-on-one with the Clarkstown Keeper. the players on the field could hear the bench hold their breath as Bola took his shot and placed it low and to the right of the keeper. The bench exhaled, Bola screamed GOAL and did his finger twirl celebration. 1-1. This gave the Reds a lot of confidence as they felt like the tables were beginning to turn in there favor. the mid field was winning more balls as they were better placed (giving up fewer gaps for the ball to be passed through). the Reds kept on pushing the ball forward. The Reds had another great opportunity after winning a corner. Ugo delivered a great ball, but two Reds just couldn’t get a head to it. The ball rebounded a couple of times until Clarkstown gained control and developed a counter attack starting from their own 18. A couple of passes right through the hart of the midfield and the ball was at the feet of the Clarkstown forward who took a low hard shot just inside the 18 to the right of Big T. Ten minutes to go and the score was 2-1 for Clarkstown. Clarkstown form that point tried to play possession and the Reds tried everything to get the equalizer.
Clarkstown were denied a sure goal thanks to Gary Mack running back from the midfield on Clarkstown’s counter and the ref played his usual 41 minute half to end the game. It was a tough loss for the Red Reserves as they take on FC Japan (bottom of the table) on Sunday May 3rd.
MOTM – Gary Mac
Honorable Mention – Big T, Phil
Scorers - Bola (assist by Gary Mac & Ugo)
Reds 3 -1 Clarkstown
Another week, another three points. After an embarrassing 4-0 defeat the first game of the spring, the Reds wanted their revenge on the prepubescent lads from Clarkstown. The Reds took control of the game early in the match out hustling the diaper dandies. A magnificent move by Johnny Keogh inside the box left their defender with no other choice but to take him down. Johnny took the penalty himself and 10 minutes in the Reds were up 1-0. Soon after the PK, Johnny Porges, Nikle, BP, and Zack Kelly subbed in from their late arrival. Being cold off the bench may have led to a Clarkstown goal as the Reds seemed to have become a bit flat. A bad clearance out of the back, straight to the foot of their most dangerous player, 25 minutes in we were tied at one a piece and it would remain that way until the half.
Second half started with the Reds on their heals again for the first 5-10 minutes. A great cross to a wide open forward almost found the Reds down 2-1 in the early minutes. But we soon picked it up again and started creating oppurtunities by getting the ball wide to our outside middies. The first great chance came off of a corner kick when Zack Kelly headed a ball that hit the cross bar then the inside post and out. Moments later on another corner Keogh served another great ball to the penalty spot that Nikle got a good head on and it just barely missed the frame. The third opportunity came on a through ball from Ben? to Ciaran, but the breakaway was swallowed up by the goal keeper. With all the pressure we were putting on, it was only a matter of time before we got the go ahead goal. And sure enough just minutes later a through ball to Ciaran found himself 1v1 with the goalie again, but this time he would not be denied, 2-1 Reds. With less than 5 minutes to go, BP found himself with a ball Tee’d up on the top of the 18 off a bad corner kick clearance, he lined up and drilled it, (with a slight deflection) the tn gave the goalie no hope and the Reds were in the clear 3-1 (Nikle contests ownership). Another week, another win, bring on FC Japan
MOTM: Johnny Keogh
Honorable Mention: Zack, Danny, Jay Bell
Goals: Keogh (PK), Ciaran (Keogh/Tim), BP (Nikle’s head)
Filed under: Team Finances
Holy cow what a night. Congrats to all of you for your efforts in making Thursday night the success it was. Everyone had a great night and we, importantly, created a great stage for friends to meet more of the Reds squad and have a laugh. On the fundraising side of things we blew the lid off our original target, drew a crowd of about 75 and raised as much as we’ve ever made with the whole CPR club previously – thanks to Drew, Gummy, Meridyth, Mark and Manny for turning up in support. 
Please make sure you give special thanks to your fellow teamates who worked so hard, on your behalf, before and during the night – Alex BL, Rob Chilton, John Porges, Eduardo, Nikle, Roddy and Rich Enticott. Please send me all your pics so I can post them and/or post them to the CPR Reds Facebook page yourself at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=59621208498 Cheers, Paul
Guys, A chance for us to consolidate our position and get another 6 points, giving us the best start to a year in the history of the club, a potential 10 – 1- 1, from any team. A reserves win will also go along way to wrapping up the league and clinching some silverwear.
Venue: Icahn Stadium
Date & Time: Sunday April 19th – 3pm & 5pm
Meet Details : Central Bar 1pm
Kits & Cars: Please BRING KITS IF YOU HAVE THEM
The classic english “Race Night” where you buy a horse and cheer it to victory. If you haven’t been to one before you’ll have a blast. Loads of good clean fun for a good cause – 12 horses per race, with 8 races on the night.
Every Red has to bring a few friends! As we need to fill upstairs at Central Bar we’ll each need to bring along friends and others to help make the night a success. Facebook page link here. Please post at FB and use it to bring others in. Loads of prizes/$ to be won, nibbles and $3 Carlsberg.
Guys, This is a friendly game I’ve sorted for all those who aren’t doing the Easter family thing and who want to keep the football addiction going. Please confirm availability ASAP
Venue: Met Oval
Date & Time: Sunday April 12th 11am
Meet Details : Central Bar 10am SHARP
Kits: Please confirm
Sewards who? It was “in the cards” for the Reds on Sunday
CPR Red Reserves 2 – 1 Kandia
The players arriving at Evander Childs High School were greeted by some strange game involving an oblong pall, referees everywhere and so many subs that some of the English boys wondering what their purpose was. Luckily, the barbarous sport soon concluded and CPRF versus Kandia, part 82 was on. The gaffer was on a bender, so Nikle stepped up to manage the squad.
As is typical against these boys, Kandia presented a team of completely unfamiliar faces. So unfamiliar, it seemed that they had recruited a completely new squad. We knew these guys were fast. Question was, were they new guys faster? As always, the key to playing Kandia is to maintain discipline. We will get our chances against this lot, but we need to hold on to our shape against these boys. CPR lined up in a traditional 4-4-2, with Tim and Roddy spearing the attack. Since Tim had leave early to write a 2500 word essay on why that a tramp stamp is a good idea for work, the Reserves were happy to let him run wild at Kandia. The mid-field was made up of Mo and Ugo on the wings and Phil and Lunney in the middle. The back line started with Hyon, Eduardo, Greg and Edmunds and Jay Bell in goal. Bernal, Sean and Matt L. started on the bench.
The game started with both sides a little cagey testing each other’s range. Lunney and Phil worked tirelessly and with reckless abandon to shut down Kandia in the middle of the pitch and completely prevented them from building their attack. Their forwards were left to chase balls on the sidelines but they were not allowed to link up with anybody else on the field. In fact, Kandia were kept under constant pressure and never found a way to relieve our constant harrying.
CPR soon discovered that the huge pitch and the general laziness of the Kandia players enabled us to play some proper football. The midfield were granted time and space to control, turn and look for incisive passes on the deck. Lunney was immense, closing down Kandia attacks, running at defenders and providing an outlet for a pass to maintain possession. Rodrigo was a threat in the middle of the attack as the defenders could not deal with his size and touch. We played a number of one-touch balls and constantly had Kandia on the back foot. In the early going, all Kandia managed was one shot on goal where the defender picked up a long ball on the wing, dribbled inside and unleashed a violent blast from inside the penalty area that went well wide and high.
We kept playing. Our first goal came after a nifty stretch of passing in the middle of the field that resulted in Tim getting the ball on the left wing, where he beat the first defender and slotted a perfect cross pass to Roddy in the box, who coolly tapped it in. 1-0. While we still kept playing our game and came close to breaking the game open a few more times, Kandia got a lucky break. A long ball down the middle was not immediately cleared, allowing the onrushing winger to trap it at pace and run on to goal. He put it away to the right before Jay could come out and contest. One mistake and the game was tied.
To the team’s credit, we took the game at them. We did not resort to long balls and did not panic under pressure. We kept our shape. Special credit to the midfielders is due here as they gave us many options to deal create danger. Mo and Ugo gave us plenty of width which as vital in such a large pitch. Phil and Lunney shut everything down and set up our play confidently. Our efforts were rewarded when after a series of passes, Mo crossed the ball into the area where Phil kept it in play so Ugo could measure it up and drill the ball into the left corner. A magnificent goal.
Roy Hodgson made a few adjustments to start the second half. Kandia pressed with 3, and at times 4 players forward, and were lucky to have not have given up more goals. Tim and Bernal were given plenty of space but were denied on more than one occasion. The Kandia players contributed to the cause by settling for shots from further and further away. Their best chance of the game came when the winger got free on the left and looped a shot past Jay that dribbled into the back post and bounced to the feet of the rushing Kandia striker. Robbie Newman’s long lost cousin had the entire goal at his disposal and hit it wide and almost over the back fence.
CPR tired a wee bit under the cloudless sky and Kandia brought in some first team players in an attempt to get a result. What difference would it make? None. Kandia’s dis-jointed efforts feebly resulted in a large number of CPR goal kicks.
Still, everything would have been for naught were it not for Bernal at the very end. Edmunds went off with an injury and Bernal stepped in at center back. Almost immediately, Kandia beat the off-side trap and their striker was sprinting towards goal from the right side before Bernal made a textbook, picture-perfect, game-saving tackle as the striker was about to take the shot. That would prove to be Kandia’s last meaningful chance. 3 more points and 7 clear at the top.
MOTM – Holy Cross’s finest, Lunney
Honorable Mention – Rodrigo, Ugo, Phil, Mo, Sean
Scorers - Rodrigo (assist Tim), Ugo (assist Mo).
CPR Reds 1 – 0 Kandia
The sun was still shining, the weather was holding at about 65 degrees, and the Reds were set to play in what would end up being an epic day in Reds history. A few absences, no coach, a new guy, same flawless chemistry we’ve been finding in recent weeks. Started the game with a somewhat peaceful Eric Wunsch in net, a consistent backline of Danny, Chilton, Willy, and Jew; Midfield had Nikle and Paulie “Get in there” Da Vinci on the wings with Ciaran and Alex B-L holding the middle; and a new combination of Bernal and Ilija up top with Lunney rotating off the bench with Bernal as they both were pulling double duty. The match started a bit shaky, first ten minutes we lacked confidence, were on our heels, not picking up our marks, all this combined almost made us go down an early goal. After a few words of encouragement and an increase of intensity the Reds began to dominate. Some fantastic ball movement between the midfielders and the forwards allowed Nikle to play a long ball to a streaking Paulie D on the far side of the field. One touch from Paul and he ripped a BLAST from 25 yards out, a truly world class save from the opposing keeper kept the score at 0-0. Just moments later, Lunney came in off the bench to replace a bloody Bernal, and his impact and energy was immediately rewarding. He won a ball in their backfield by going shoulder to shoulder with a nappy headed ho, and similar to the goal in the reserve match he slotted a ball through to an on streaking Paulie D. Paulie smoothly tucked it away and he had his 2nd goal in as many matches. 1-0 good guys. The pressure stayed in our favor the rest of the first half, and we really should have found a way to extend our lead as balls kept barely missing the goal frame. No changes at halftime, just an inspirational chat from Ciaran, and we were back on the field ready for a 45 minute push for 3 more points. The same play ensued in the second half. Reds having the majority of scoring chances, but Kandia did break through a few times making sure Eric was still awake. Two very clutch saves from Eric kept the score at 1-0, with the Reds prevailing for another 3 points…and depending on the results from yesterday, could catapult us up to 4th place! 5-1 to start this spring season. Well done boys, a magical day.
MOTM – Eric
Honorable Mention – Rest of Team
Scorers - Paulie ‘Get in there’ Da Vinci
Robbie Newman Update: Robbie is out of the hospital and will be returning home today. His kidneys stopped bleeding and after a few blood transfusions, he is slowly getting healthy. I am not sure when he will be able to join us on the pitch again but, send him your get well wishes.
Party update: Don’t forget, happy hour drinks at Fiddlesticks on Thursday anytime after 5pm for Nikle’s 25th. If you weren’t at the game on Sunday or oblivious to what went on, don’t forget to ask him about his magical card tricks. A story that might never be topped. And Race Night April 16th, every red to bring along 6+ friends!
