Although the Cozmos team had already clinched the title with an astonishing 14 wins in 14 in the league, the Legends still matched up well with them. Apart from an early 30 minutes in their first game, the scores and games were tight between the two teams, a 2-1 cup reverse and a 4-1 loss that was far closer than the score indicated. Trying to salvage some pride in a spring season that had seen a reversion to the mean compared to their great record in the Fall season, the absence of Rich Enticott really hurting the balance of the team. Not having a full time goalie looked to be an issue, but Ollie Roberts reluctantly disclosed his dark secret of being a fully capable keeper. Indeed the Legends started well, although it was more of a bend but don’t break defence with minimal offensive capabilities. With a plethora of new faces CPR were also getting used to playing with each other, but despite that they were able to play the dominant Cozmos to a stalemate for most of the half until a deflating goal. With a disciplined side like Comzos playing out of position is a recipe for disaster, and as such the opposition exposed a gaping hole on the left flank for a surgical and well played move that ended up with a lob over the despairing Roberts.
The second half brought a substitute Becker in for a likely last game for the Legends, freeing up a rested up Roberts to rotate in at center back with Steve Roberts. This allowed Belizan license to roam up, and with Edmunds marauding from fullback and Solinas as usual charging up and down, the Legends tried to bolster Mckeown up top. Indeed, a long throw by Edmunds to Hodges then found Mckeown one on one, and with no mistake he put the Legends level. With only 5 minutes to go CPR was hoping for a morale boosting draw but it was not to me. The Cozmos expertly turned defence into attack and a couple of tired tackles and the right bounce of the ball provided a tough concession in the last minute of the game.
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Much the same way Spurs started strong before quickly deflating, the Legends strong Fall petered out in a Spring which saw them win only one out of eight games. With an 8am after Edmunds wedding next week, the omens are not promising regarding an end to the slide |
Competition: Cozmos, League Opposition
Location: Randall’s Island Field #74, Randall’s Island
Conditions: Brisk spring morning
Fans: 3, Steve Teesdale who valiantly drove all the way for a half despite being injured in order to provide rides for people as well as Ernest Subah & Jens Faulhaber.
Result: 1-2
Goals: 1-1: Mckeown, Assist Hodges
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Mike D’s aka No Shows: None
Conboy’s aka Reverse Mike D’s: Steve Roberts, a helpful addition given Ollie Roberts in goal
”Mr. Glass” Fragility/Old Man Injury Award: Steve “Threesdale” Teesdale, hamstring.
Old Man of the Match: None, although generally a vastly improved performance
Old Man of the Bar: None.
El Presidente (new award for Old Men who don’t make it to game but come to the bar): None
Statistic of the week: Mckeown has now scored in a remarkable 5 consecutive games and 6 of his last 7. He is 3 points away from Resnik’s all time points record in a season set in the Runners Up season of 2013-2014 and the single season goal record will surely last a long time.
Team Bar Showing: 5 out of 14 (36%)
Team Bar Night: 3 out of 5. A change of scenery this time in combination with Old Boyz provided a boisterous early afternoon. The Spurs meltdown for the latest St. Totteringham’s day in decades was welcome amusement.
Team (No new profiles this week): Ollie Roberts (GK/DF), Mark Becker (GK), Steve “Threesdale” Teesdale (DF), Steve Roberts (DF), Claudius Sokenu (DF), Luciano Belizan, Tom Accordino (DF), Mark Edmunds (DF), Tom Pattinson, John Hodges, Manohar Venkataraman, Ugo Solinas, Michael Conboy, Manuel Casanova, Simon Mckeown