Archive for: April, 2014

Blunt & rusty Legends can’t find a way through NYPD’s defence

Apr 30 2014 Published by under Legends

Even with the reduced number of fixtures in the spring, this year has been particularly desultory.  The opening game of the season was nigh on a month ago, and with the selfish league abandonment of RTG (really? You couldn’t have told everyone you were leaving 4 months ago?) this left a paltry total of 4 league games total in the spring.  So although the Legends needed a win, the requisite sharpness & comfort of playing week to week was unavailable, with weekly Monday practice a meager substitute.  The late dropout of two strikers would not help the cause, especially after a glimpse of the sizeable pitch.

The silver lining was the new goalie trying out who quickly showed the base level of competence required to give the defence some comfort.  In particular, Stroh’s diving save off a free kick helped keep the score level.  Also keeping the score level was the Legend’s lack of a challenging shot on frame against a field player moonlighting between the sticks.  The misfiring of passes at the edge of the area showed a rustiness in connections that hadn’t been renewed in several weeks, with the large pitch warning midfielders regarding moving too far and getting bitten on the counterattack.

Half time cajoled a ‘keep doing what you’re doing’, with the additional discussion of moving to 3 at the back if the stalemate continued.  Indeed, the Legends did appear to put more and more pressure on NYPD but without forcing any difficult shots.  Indeed, the opposition replacement keeper appeared even more dodgy than the previous one, but apart from some bouncing balls in the area no shots of menace forced the keeper to make a tough save.  Pushing more and more players up left gaps at the back, but fortunately Belizan was more than a speedy match for whatever attackers tried to take advantage.

It was just going to be one of the those days, the attacking domination petering out where it mattered.  Although it mathematically jeopardizes second place, the hope is that an improved performance over the next 2 weeks will seal that, if not a chance at the title.

Competition: NYPD FC, League Opposition

Location: Flushing Meadows Field #8, Queens

Conditions: Lovely spring morning

Fans: None

Result: 2-0 (1-0 at H/T)

Goals:  0:0

Yellow Cards: None

Red Card: None.

Mike D’s aka No Shows: Unfortunate late cancelations by strikers Pritchard and new guy Pat Berran didn’t help.

Conboy’s aka Reverse Mike D’s: None

”Mr. Glass” Fragility/Old Man Injury Award: Teesdale went on a long rampaging run and was within shot unleashing distance before the altitude got to him and the ball was barged away. The result was no goal and a strained hamstring.

Old Man of the Match: Some worthy candidates, with Jee being constantly open on the left hand side and skinning his man for pace.  However Belizan’s presence continually allowed the Legends to attack more and indeed push to 3 at the back, as NYPD’s counterattacking ineptitude combined with Luciano prowling around like a free safety ensured there was no serious danger at the back.

Old Man of the Bar: None, although Hodges took advantage of his currently offspringless status to put in a good shift.

El Presidente (new award for Old Men who don’t make it to game but come to the bar): None.

Team Bar Showing: 9 out of 14 (64%)

Team Bar Night: 3 out of 5: A solid turnout, decent time, decent longevity, Old Boyz joining in later and some worthwhile sports on the telly.

Team (No new profiles this week): Brian Stroh (GK), Mark Resnik (DF), Dan Bernoske (DF), Steve Teesdale (DF), Tony Vamvouris, Luciano Belizan (DF), Pete Hahn (DF), Dan Ochoa, Sean Street (DF), Chris Jee, John Hodges, Paul Stephan, Manohar Venkataraman, Willian D’Andrea

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Results from April 27th

Apr 28 2014 Published by under Club

Women’s Red and Women’s White were off.

Men’s White lost 4-0 to NY Greek Americans

Men’s White Reserves drew 2-2 with NY Greek Americans

Men’s Red drew 2-2 with FC NY Bravehearts

Men’s Black forfeited to Lansdowne Bhoys Metro.

Grays fell 1-3 to Manhattan Celtic Legends

Old Boys shutout Brooklyn Gunners 3-0

Legends drew 0-0 with NYPD FC Over-30

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Schedule for Sunday April 27th

Apr 22 2014 Published by under Club

Women’s Red and Women’s White are off this weekend

Men’s White vs. NY Greek Americans, 2pm Pier 5 Brooklyn Bridge Park

Men’s White Reserves vs. NY Greek Americans, 12noon Pier 5 Brooklyn Bridge Park

Men’s Red vs. FC NY Bravehearts, 6pm Randalls #75

Men’s Black @ Lansdowne Bhoys Metro, 9am Tibbets Brook Park

Grays @ Manhattan Celtic Legends, 8:30pm Pier 40 Courtyard

Old Boys vs. Brooklyn Gunners, 12noon Randalls #74

Legends @ NYPD FC Over-30, 10am Flushing Meadow Field #8

…and then we’ll see you at the pub

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CPR Blacks edge Gotham Argo 3-2

Apr 14 2014 Published by under Blacks, Club

CPR Blacks’ first victory of the Spring season couldn’t come soon enough. In a battle of the two bottom clubs in Metro 1 West division, Gotham Argo versus CPR Blacks lined up to be a very important match in the relegation battle.

Early goals by Brandon Levy and Chris Valentine gave CPR Blacks a nice, but not totally secure, cushion for the 1st half ending 2-0.

Even though both Gotham Argo and CPR Blacks had zero substitutes available, play remained at same pace for 2nd half. Gotham Argo managed to get on the sheets and bring the score line to 2-1 in favor of CPR Blacks. Not soon after Gotham’s initial goal, Brandon Levy notches his second goal of the match with a clever chip over Gotham Argo’s GK’s head.

With only a few minutes left, Gotham Argo managed to put a crossed header by CPR Blacks’ GK Ben Zwicker. Time eventually ran out and CPR held on to their much deserved lead to win 3-2.

Man of the match goes to Lance Brune, and Brune’s tireless effort and control of possession throughout the midfield.

Next up for CPR Blacks is Lansdowne Bhoys Metro after Easter Break weekend.

 

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Results from April 13th

Apr 13 2014 Published by under Club

Women’s Red beat Manhattan Kickers 3-0

Women’s White beat NY Smoking Aces 3-1

Men’s White Reserves scored a last minute winner to get past Manhattan Kickers 3-2 in the League Cup

Men’s Red advanced in the Strumpf cup, beating Lansdowne Bhoys in PK’s after 3-3 in regulation

Men’s Black beat Gotham Argo, 3-2

Old Boys beat Barnstonworth Old Boys 3-1 (Saunders Cup)

Meanwhile, the Men’s White, Grays and Legends were off

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FIRSTS HELD BY STAL

Apr 11 2014 Published by under Whites

This weekend saw another lack luster performance by the firsts against a very weak Stal Melic team, already relegated to the 2nd division and seeking to get their 1st win of the season. Initial hopes that we could rack up a cricket score were tempered by our lack of movement and intensity and although we still dominated possession, Stal Melic had some of the best opportunities as their left midfielder (and best player) put Justin through his paces. The first goal came out of a bit of fortune for Stal Melic as a tackle on one of their players popped the ball up into the air on the edge of the box, their right midfielder ran on and somehow managed to slice a shot up over Ben and in off the post. We had several clear cut chances in the 1st half, including a couple one v. ones, and a free header from a corner that we failed to capitalize on.

The second half started a bit more brightly and CPR were rewarded for their efforts with a couple goals, first when Riso pounced on a Mike’s spilled shot and then a penalty from Conor after Riso was blatantly pushed in the back while going for a cross. At this point we lost our intensity once again and ended up conceding an equalizer and then a third in quick succession (the 3rd off a controversial corner rewarded despite an obvious foul on Matt). We pressed hard for more goals and were assisted when their right back got a deserved second yellow (as the same guy always seems to) in the last 10 mins and with the last kick of the game George converted a cross for an equalizer. Overall it was a disappointing day and well below the standard we set for ourselves. Post match entertainment was provided by some crack head lady/Polish fan and some manic grey bearded Polish fan who came out of their shell to improve all of our vocabularies with a wide range of obscenities aimed at the ref and our team.
Line up: Ben, Justin, Nick, Matt, Shane, Josh, Conor, Edgar, Mike, Riso, George.

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UNDERMANNED RESERVES BEATEN

Apr 11 2014 Published by under Whites

Central Park Rangers found themselves at Bushwick Inlet Park on Sunday to face off against Stal Mielic. With an average age of 45, CPR looked poised and confident to secure 3 points even without any subs.

The match started fairly sloppy as neither team could really get the ball down and maintain possession going forward. Stal almost broke the stalemate against the run of play as a ball crossed into the box glanced off the right post with a header from the PK spot. With Alberto, Carlos and Dan, and Eli being the creative minds behind the attack, CPR were able to create a couple of opportunities in the first half but were unable to capitalize.

After a halftime pep talk from Yuval as well as some thoughtful words of wisdom from Eli, the second half whistle blew and the boys found new life. The game seemed very one sided for the first 20-25 minutes with a number of opportunities coming from great ball movement through the midfield and work ethic from the front lines. The weights seemed to be tipping in CPR’s favor until Carlos unexpectedly pulled up with an injury about midway through the first half. This unexpectedly forced CPR to fight through adversity and play a man down for the remainder of the second half. Stal were able to break the deadlock in the 80th minute.  A square ball through the middle and short numbers in the back found CPR down 1-0. The opponents then found another brace due to tired legs and a seemingly unstoppable shot, which found the top left corner.

The final whistle blew with a full time score of 2-0 to Stal. An unfortunate result but the boys still look to be in great shape for a playoff position in the upcoming weeks.

A big thanks to Eli for stepping in and all the luck to Carlos on a quick recovery.

Squad: Jon, Brian, Alberto, Evan, Norelli, Carlos, Greg, Dan C, Archie, Sean, Eli

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Schedule for Sunday April 13th

Apr 09 2014 Published by under Club

Women’s Red @ Manhattan Kickers, 1pm East 6th Street

Women’s White @ NY Smoking Aces, 6pm Bushwick Inlet

Men’s White are off

Men’s White Reserves vs. Manhattan Kickers (League Cup) 6pm Randalls #75

Men’s Red vs. Lansdowne Bhoys (Strumpf Cup) 10am Randalls #75

Men’s Black vs. Gotham Argo, 2pm Randalls #74

Grays are off

Old Boys vs. Barnstonworth Old Boys, 4pm Randalls #74

Legends are off…we think…the league is redoing the schedule after RTG dropped out

…and then we’ll see you at the pub

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Results from Sunday April 6th

Apr 07 2014 Published by under Club

Women’s Red lost 0-3 to Rovers1

Women’s White got a forfeit win over Rovers2, who no-showed

Men’s White drew 3-3 with Stal Mielec

Men’s White Reserves lost 0-2@ Stal Mielec

Men’s Red lost 0-5 to FC Gwardia PLNY

Men’s Black lost 1-3 @ Sporting Astoria

Grays fell 1-2 @ Clarkstown SC Eagles

Old Boys beat Guyana Veterans 2-0

Legendsweare off (courtesy of RTG forfeit, they dropped from the league)

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Schedule for Sunday April 6th

Apr 04 2014 Published by under Club

Women’s Red @ Rovers1, 3pm East 6th Street

Women’s White vs. Rovers2, 9am East 6th Street

Men’s White @ Stal Mielec, 2pm Bushwick Inlet

Men’s White Reserves @ Stal Mielec, 12noon Bushwick Inlet

Men’s Red vs. FC Gwardia PLNY, 2pm McCarren Park

Men’s Black vs. Sporting Astoria, 12noon Randalls #74

Grays @ Clarkstown SC Eagles, 6pm Van Buren HS

Old Boys @ Guyana Veterans , 4pm Verrazano Complex

Legends are off (courtesy of RTG forfeit, they dropped from the league)

…and then we’ll see you at the pub

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