Central Park Rangers FC

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)