Cosmopolitan_Soccer_League.gif)
Full match reports to come, volunteers welcome
CPR Red Reserves 4 – 0 American Turk Reserves
Scorers – Rich x2, Bola x2
MOTM – Chris
CPR Reds 5 – 2 American Turks
Scorers – Winslow (aka Christian), Ilija, Zach, Nikle, Robbie
MOTM – Javier
Score: Ridgewood Romac 2 – 4 Red Reserves
Kanye West- What can be said about this game? An ugly win is still a win, and boy did we win ugly. The Reds Reserves came out of the blocks poorly, playing sloppy soccer. However, once Bola scored our first goal, off a heads up pass from Phil, we settled down and played long balls directly up the middle, which was a relatively successful strategy against Ridgewood Romac’s leaky defense. Big T scored our second goal with a header off a bobbled cross that was laid on a plate for him in front of goal. Oddly enough, he bent down to head the ball when it was down around his ankles. You know we use our feet in this game, right big guy?
Unfortunately, there were no notable goal celebrations to be had. Simon, we miss your presence on the reserves. Let’s see some more creativity in the next game fellas!
Danny filled in at goal for this game and we scored more than they did, so he did his job. Hats off to Danny. None of the goals they scored were egregious and he made some decent saves, came out to possess the ball when he needed to and was vocal with the defense, conducting us with confidence. Good job Danny.
In the second half Ridgewood staged a bit of a comeback, capitalizing on a free kick to score their first goal of the evening. Our play at the back became sloppy towards the end of the second half and our service from goal kicks wasn’t generating midfield possession. This allowed Romac to get back into the game and press the attack, setting up their two goals of the game. At 3-2, it looked like they could tie, but we put the game away by scoring in the final few minutes.
Greg and Charlie both had solid games, Greg winning the ball with some tough tackling in the midfield, tracking back to cover the defense and contributing some solid distribution out of the middle. Charlie did some tough tackling at the back and was a strong presence in the air, clearing a lot of their arial service from midfield, breaking up attack after attack.
On offense Bola and Ugo combined well with solid passing in the final third and good running for the long balls sent to them.
Goals: Bola x2, Big T, Ugo
Man of the Match: Kayne
NIKLE GUZIJAN – It was a beautiful October afternoon and the CPR Reds were anxious to continue their winning ways and push the win streak to 3. After watching the hilarity of the reserves match (Cursing between Pythagoras players, Phil “just not wanting it”, Their keeper laying down for the last 10 minutes, Simon’s first goal celebration) the reds took the field in a very light spirited manor. This showed in the first 10-15 minutes as the Greeks came running at us in full force. We were able to keep them off the board by limiting them to crosses from a distance and wishful shooting from outside the box. We soon received our tardy reinforcements from two of the reds more regular starters, and the game quickly changed into CPR’s favor with Keogh and Ilija holding the offensive middle of the pitch. After about ten more minutes of possession, God decided he was on CPR’s side. I use Gods name here because only he could make such a magic happen. I thought I had a better chance of seeing Sewards quit drinking before this miracle. A high 50/50 ball between Ilija and the Pythagoras goalkeeper in front of the net. Ilija rose up like Starks over Jordan and Horace Grant in the 93 Playoffs and finished his first header in 3 lifetimes. CPR 1 Caesar Haircuts 0.
Half time consisted of a pretty traditional Fall 09 speech from Manager Paul Sewards. “Outside middies (Chris and Robbie), take your space with speed and take on your defenders, ilija and Keogh when you get the ball on your foot and you’re near the 18 pick up your head and have a fuckin ‘dig’, Nikle get forward and take the open space, Javi stay central and hold the middle of the field – let Keogh drift out wide, Ciaran and Ben play quicker, Porges and Lunney you’re perfect keep it up.” We hear the same thing but, for some reason our reminders are needed as our 2nd halves have been “magical.” A few minor changes saw a return from outside back Danny Azzo and Ciaran returning to his unnatural striker position.
The 2nd half started with a consistent domination from the Reds and we never really looked back. Within the first ten minutes we saw a great ball played across from Chris to Ilija. Ilija kept it going across the pitch to Robbie “All of a sudden I’m an All-Star” Newman. Robbie got a touch around his defender and continued his scoring ways to put the Reds up 2-0. This pissed off the European psychos as we soon saw them playing a new strategy of 7 forwards and 3 defenders. Play soon opened up for our 2 forwards but unfortunately more goals were unavailable as 2-0 seems to be our final score of choice this season. Ilija wanted to be nice and keep the Golden Boot race alive instead of claiming the title himself in the last 10 minutes of the game.
Post game entertainment saw another group of crazies go at it for the 2nd week in a row. For some reason we have done a good job of not fighting with other teams this season during the game, so they turn to inter squad violence after the match instead. Final Score CPR Reds 2 Pythagoras Samos 0.
Man Of The Match – Lunney!
Honorable Mention – Robbie Newman, Ilija, Porges, BP
Goals: Ilija, Robbie Newman
Assists: Ilija and Chris
KAYNE WEST – We went into the match with a game plan based on stereo-types and boy was it effective. “Get stuck in because the Greeks like to take a touch or two, so just knock them off the fucking ball quick and early” (Paraphrasing Sewards). Using this strategy, the reserves scored a few quick goals which proves one thing: stereo-types are a real time saver and completely accurate.
After some heads up long passing and crosses by the Reds, the Greeks were literally left with their heads spinning as Phil came up with two big goals. Weirdly though, after scoring his two goals and playing hard for about ten minutes, Phil then inexplicably decided his day was over and pretty much walked through the rest of the match, showing no determination, effort, or even desire to complete his hat-trick. It was truly a shameful performance on his part. To be honest, we might as well have had Rosie O’donnell on the pitch. She probably would have run harder.
Sometime as the barrage of goals was peppering the Greek nets, a sniper was targeting the field from a mysterious location. …And then tragedy struck. As Eddie was calmly explaining to one of the Greeks that going in for a studs up tackle was kind of a dick move, the sniper hit their diminutive number 10 in the face (at first). Apparently the bullet wound from the sniper’s gun then migrated down to number 10’s leg, because he went from holding his face to his leg while on the ground. We’re just lucky that the sniper didn’t get Eddie. (Eddie told the kid not to go in studs up and he inexplicably went down like he’d been shot while the ref wasn’t looking to try to get Eddie red carded, which was also a dick move. Number 10 later got red carded for lipping off the ref.).
We went into half time firmly in the lead, with the Greeks in disarray, getting chippy, yelling at us and fighting amongst themselves. Rich made the best math pun of the day during the team talk, saying “They’re coming at us from all angles”. Truly genius.
In the second half, Simon made his presence on the team known, announcing his arrival to the Reds by scoring from a header off a corner kick (that Charlie generously laid off of for Simon to run on to), then doing the best goal celebration of the season so far: wiping his brow on the corner flag. Inspired stuff Simon… welcome to CPR.
It wouldn’t be a reserves match without some posts being hit. Rich hit one on a heroic striking effort, while Phil hit one due only to his being too lazy to direct the ball into the net, which was probably so open that Rosie would have hit the target.
We’re not really sure as to the identity of the scorer of the Red’s Reserves “missing” goal. It could have been anyone really. Some say it was Bola. Some say Greg scored with a free kick. Theories abound. The once certainty is that it wasn’t Big T. If anyone wants to claim our missing goal, leave a comment and you’ll get the statistic. Just kidding, glad to have you scoring again T.
After the game, as per usual, a bunch of the reserves stayed to watch the firsts and Big T decided that in order to support our team/heckle the other teams more effectively in the future, he is going to buy the “Heckling/Ethnic Slurring” editions of Rosetta Stone language learning software. He came to this conclusion after wishing he could heckle the other team’s goalie (Charlie Brown) in Greek.
Goals: 2′-Bola, 15′ &18′- Phil, 65′-BIG T, 70′ -Simon (2nd half)
Man of the Match: Phil
Honorable Mentions: Ryan, and Simon (for the best goal celebration of the season so far).
CPR Red Reserves 1 – 1 FC Hoboken
Scorer – Ugo Solinas
Match Report – KAYNE WEST???? where is it?
CPR Reds 2 – 0 FC Hoboken
Scorers – Ilija Zlatar, Robbie Newman
Match Report – Nikle???
Guys – Interesting news just received. Clarkstown reserves lost 2-0 to Celtic. Clarkstown 1sts won 3-1 over celtic. Which means we can win the reserves title if we beat Ukrainians by a wupping scoreline and/or celtic (v Kandia) & clarkstown (v EMC) lose. Currently 3 goals behind on GA with Celtic with equal points. Reds can secure top 3 finish with a win!!!!!
Croatia Reserves 2 – 7 CPR Red Reserves
Fun In the Sun
Through the looking glass and into the New Jersey hinterland, the reserves arrived at the Croatian pitch, etched into the middle of a veritable jungle. With the gaffer a last minute scratch and Willie running late, Steve Roberts made some last minute changes to the side: Jason “Colonel Kurtz” Bell in the net; Big T, Roberts, Roddy and Ferd at the back; Linehan at left midfield, Phil and Gary Mac in the middle, Ugo on the right; Bola and Tim up front; and we were off to the races.
Let’s not belabor the point: the top side in the division playing against 8 men, anything less than a lopsided victory would have been a disgrace. And lopsided it was, as we focused on goal differential.
Highlights included a brilliant highlight reel save by Kurtz, a massive defensive line (and Ferd) making up for in brilliant positioning and muscle what they lacked in speed, beautiful passing and speed on the break at midfield, and some textbook goalscoring by Bola (performing in front of his son), Tim, Phil and Ugo (on a brilliant penalty kick). If there was any cloud at all, it was Bola steadfastly refusing to kick the ball out to Linehan, in perfect scoring position. Greedy striker.
Huge game this Sunday, as the Reserves look to cut down Ukrainian and seize some well-deserved silverware. It’s now or never, boys!
Goals: Bola 2, Phil 2, Tim 2, Ugo
NY Croatia 2 – 4 CPR Reds
Match report by Rob Chilton.
Many years from now, when Nikle Guzijan is on his deathbed, surrounded
by his 27 mentally-retarded children and his fourth wife (a New York
Giants cheerleader named Candii with double D breasts and the ability
to suck a golf ball through a hosepipe) he will look back to 10 May,
2009 and smile. He will remember that golden spring day, take his last
contented breath, receive one last blow job from Candii and die a
happy man, his body riddled with syphilis.
Nikle, 25, scored a clinical hat trick, got sent off for a racist goal
celebration and then enjoyed the company of a delightful young lady
named Sam. (On a side note, I also enjoyed the company of a lovely
young thing named Sam that same night. Great guy, he might come to
practice tonight.)
Anyway, back to the game…. With frantic phone calls having been made
to our beloved moms on Mother’s Day, the CPR convoy left New York City
on a sunny May morning for the long trip to Boonton (pop. 324) to play
top of the table outfit NY Croatia. With a defence which had only
conceded 16 goals all season, the CPR chaps knew it would take a big,
hard, sexy effort to make a breakthrough.
A breakthrough did indeed come, but for the Croatian side. Their
centre forward latched onto a long ball over the top and, with Rob
Chilton lumbering like an asthmatic ant carrying heavy shopping bags,
the Croat raced away to tuck the ball into the net. CPR responded
almost immediately with a flowing move through the midfield which led
to Nikle curling a fine shot just inside the post from the corner of
the penalty area.
Moments later, some comical defending from CPR gifted NY Croatia a
penalty. According to the NY Croatia coach, the striker who stepped up
to take the kick had not missed from the spot in four years. That run
of good luck was about to change. Eric Wunsch watched the dark,
brooding eyes of the Croat striker and then leapt like an angry
panther to palm the ball away. John Porges’ long, muscular legs
cleared the rebound to safety. NY Croatia refused to be deflated by
the penalty miss and nabbed a second goal minutes later when a
breakaway run was cut back for their marauding midfielder to smash the
ball home. But again, like a stubborn cockroach that can’t be crushed
under the heel of a shoe, CPR came back and equalised through Zach
Attack Kelly, who capped a liquid passing pattern to calmly slot the
ball past the hapless Croatian keeper. The score stood at 2-2, and the
home crowd were getting restless with their team’s inability to handle
the fancy footwork and resilience of these boys from the big bad City.
With half time approaching, the game was momentarily paused when the
CPR half pints Matt Bernal, Ben Preston-Fridman and Danny Azzo got
lost in the long grass. Having found the cute little munchkins, the
game continued. With the blood clearly pumping, Nikle received his
first yellow card of the day for foul and abusive language. Johnny
Keogh was reprimanded for the same offence. Honestly, boys, do you
kiss your mothers with those mouths?
The second half began with more pressure on both goals. Alex
Bauman-Lyons worked tirelessly in midfield, Eric continued to make
save after extraordinary save, Ilija barged his way around the field
like a drunken man trying to get into a cab at 4am, and Danny let rip
with his now customary yet unique brand of witty banter/humiliating
abuse. CPR turned the screw (no, that’s not a sex act) and took a
deserved lead with Nikle neatly turning in a corner kick, having
cleverly shoved his marker to the ground to grab a yard of space. Soon
after Nikle completed his hat trick with a daring lob from 45 yards
that had the keeper gawping in shock, both at Nikle’s impudence but
also at the way his sweaty, flowing hair caught the sunlight as he
shot.
With years of anti-Croatian resentment burning a hole in his Under
Armour, Nikle raced to the center circle, removed his shirt, made a
religious gesture with his hands that threatened to destabilise the
peace in the troubled Balkan region and promptly received a second
yellow card. Down to 10 men, but 4-2 up, it was time for a gritty
backs-to-the-wall performance (again, not a sex act). It was a display
that reminded many onlookers of that famous afternoon this season when
CPR defended like dogs to defeat Kandia away from home, aka The Battle
of the Bronx. Time and time again, Eric came to the rescue with a
superbly athletic display of goalkeeping, his supple and lithe body
arching gracefully to deflect the torrent of shots. The final whistle
blew, and CPR rejoiced as their rich vein of form continued.
After the game, as the Reds sipped refreshing and well-deserved beers
on the field, Ilija gave his customary insight into European history
and explained to his team mates why there is such bad blood between
the Croats and the Serbs, describing something called the Ustasi
which, as far as I can gather, was a Croatian Nazi death squad that
used to terrorize innocent men for wearing outrageously bad fashion in
the 1930s.
In his post-match press conference, the NY Croatian coach Slobodan
Sexymanovich congratulated CPR and admitted, “They wanted it more
today.” Quite right. We wanted it, we took it, we enjoyed it – rather
like Nikle and Sam later that night.
MOTM: Eric Wunsch.
Special Mention (hat trick, red card, dirty sex with a hot girl): Nikle Guzijan.
Goals: Nikle 3, Zach
CPR Reds 2 – 2 FC Japan
The trifecta of a week off, cold, drizzily weather, and a field sized like our girlfriends’ bound feet almost led to disaster for the Reds last Sunday at Randall’s Island Field 74. Luckily Bernal had played in the Reserves game and read us all his scouting report before the match. Citing their penchant for losing possession he noted, “These guys are decent on the ball when you give them space, but when you put pressure on them, they fold like Origami.” To be fair, I don’t think many of our players understood this, as the field was completely soaked and any paper on it would have certainly turned to mush. Nevertheless, we knew that Japan would be fast, tough, and willing to kill themselves before they lost.
Notwithstanding our inspirational scouting report, the Reds fell back at the start of the game in response to a heavy assault. Several close calls left the defense breathing heavy and eager to get the possession going the other way. Danny led the defense with his typical grit and unmatched ability to insult the Japanese strikers in ways they couldn’t dream of understanding: “Yeah, you’re jus a litto’ c**t aren’t you twen’y six?”…”You ain’t got shit on me you ‘alf pint numbah fhir’y four, I’ll stuff you every time you come down heah!” Holding strong, the D fended off the attacks and looked to outlet to BP and Danny on the outside. We had some success but the limited space often led to a forced pass to the center of the pitch–which was crawling with Charlie–and thus a turnover. At times we did manage to move the ball healthily up the pitch but to no avail. Nil-Nil at half.
The second half began with a surprise attack. To be sure, we should have envisioned this after we realized they had all taken hot showers and changed into dry uniforms inside their portable locker room during the break. On our heals once again, we escaped thanks to a few good saves by Eric and a few shots that went just wide. These were swiftly followed by barrages of profanity, a goal kick that landed just past the edge of the box, another barrage of profanity and a loud clang. But then the Reds began to play. And play we did. Nikle, determined to live up to his half-time speech, began challenging every ball in the box like a man amongst boys. He sent two headers within inches of the post and crossbar and then finally iced a circus back-turned-with-a-man-on cross from Chilton–who was apparently jealous of Nikle getting to be the only man amongst boys. 1-Nil Allies. The offensive flurry continued with a marvelous chance: Nikle 1-on-0 without a soul in site from the three yard line. Unfortunately, one of the Japanese summoned his best Pokemon, who immediately hit Nikle with it’s Level 4 “Fukupasitta” spell. Completely paralyzed, there was little he could do but stand there and let the defender strip him of the ball.
The ebb and flow soon turned against the Reds in the form of long balls played to the Japanese forwards running on. Number 8 split two of us in the back and was taken down by a hard tackle by Porges that led to a questionable penalty shot. Although our fearless keeper guessed correctly, the shooter mis-hit it and it went right down the center to tie the game at one-all. Having achieved success with this strategy, FC Japan continued their assault through the air to men running on. A long ball to the left wing was crossed and managed to find a charging player after bobbling around in our box. 2-1 Axis of Evil. At this point, trailing by a goal with only 15 minutes left, it would have been easy for us to have surrendered to the Imperialist Japanese and given them the day. Ilija thought otherwise as he took a cross from Nikle at the top of the box, juked two defenders and ripped a low liner into the back left of the goal for the equalizer. The score would stay that way with both sides having some decent chances towards the end of the game. Fortunately, we had the luxury of a few pints waiting for us back at the bar to ease the pain of a sister-kissing draw. Our opponents, on the other hand, had a team meeting, followed by some wind sprints under the bridge, followed by math problems back in the locker room, followed by a 3 hour practice.
MOTM: Nikle
Honorable Mention: Ilija, Danny
A John Porges Production ©
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)
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!
Reds Reserves 3 – 0 Koha Reserves (forfeit)
Reds 3 – 2 Koha
Another solid performance from the reds played on the shitty Verrazano field. While we made hard work of it, we still maintained the pressure throughout the game, scored a few nice goals and defended well.
Goals: Paulie D, Robbie & Ilija
MOTM: Danny
Honorable mentions : Keogh
