Los Blancos 2-0 Greek Americans

CPR Reserves won their sixth game in a row to clinch a play-off berth for the first time. Despite the absence of Brettski, John the Goalie, [defensive stalwart] Joakim, [the guile of] Roman and Hamidou and the questionable fitness of Muzza, CPR showed the strength of their squad but more importantly the strength of their character to put the Greeks through the grinder. This game played in the searing heat of McCarren Park which provides no hiding place from the midday sun) required patience and passion in equal measure and CPR were not found wanting.

Manager Yuval Lion had warned before this game that the Greeks would be a better side than any we have faced lately. Indeed, the Greeks were coming into this game with a 4-1-0 record over the last five games. However, this was a record bested only by a team with a 5-0-0 and Los Blancos quickly started with a purpose that showed why they are the holders of that record. From the start CPR sought to try and pass the ball against a team that they knew would try and play a similar game. In particular Javi (he's so good they only call him by one name) was pulling the strings in midfield with Greg Moss proving a very lively outlet on the right hand side. Toph was providing his usual bite and tenacity in breaking down most of the Greek attacking efforts. Up top Amos was looking to be his usual handful for any defense and this day was no different. The Famous enjoyed a couple of gilt edged chances but luck was not to be on his side. The first came when Javi broke through between the two center-backs. At first it looked like CPR's Iniesta might be clean through but the run of the ball would not play kindly for the Spaniard who nonetheless managed to retain possession and feed the ball to The Famous. However the chance was slightly awkward and The Famous was unable to convert. The second was of The Famous's own making. Having rag-dolled the right back, The Famous turned the Greek center-back in knots and with the keeper to beat he sent his shot just wide. CPR's Andy Ma also forced a good save from the capable Greek keeper. As the half continued, CPR continued to press for the goal. Joe Sullivan who had come in for Joakim used his youthful fitness to hit the bye-line. He made a great cut back for Muzza who dummied (cough) for Javi who sent his shot just wide of the post. CPR then survived a scare at the other end. The classy Greek number 11 played a ball through that caught the CPR defense flat footed. However the lively forward sent the ball wide of the left hand post. Back at the other end, Greg Moss played in Muzza who cut across his marker but could managed only to hit the cross bar from just inside the penalty box.

The second half saw CPR continue to dominate a good quality Greek side. By this point CPR had already made some changes to add some freshness on a sweaty day. Jacopo was showing his usual work rate and determination and Raymond was showing some good ball retention and tireless running to try and work a chance through for The Famous. In the end The Famous did what he does best and worked a chance out of nothing when surrounded by players. On the turn he managed to work some space for himself to play a ball through to Javi. The gifted Spaniard spotted The Famous one's burst through and rolled the ball back into his path. Having breached the back line The Famous, rather than sliding the shot in, instead elected to round the Greek keeper completing the move with aplomb. At this point a palpable sense of believe stirred through Los Blancos that perhaps this would be our day. However, CPR knew that seeing the game out at 1-0 would be a very dangerous tactic and with the Greeks pushing forward in search of an equalizer Los Blancos were relying on the counter attack to and kill the game off. The first good chance came from a good passing move between Yuval and Muzza (who by this point was looking a little jaded at the front of the midfield). Yuval played a great return into Muzza's path. However he couldn't quite get enough curl on the shot to send it past the keeper who made a great save. Andy Ma was having an increasing influence on the left hand side and was at the center of two attacking moves. In the first, he roasted his marker and from the bye-line made a great cut back that was agonizingly out of reach for Muzza. In the second Mad Ma chose to close out a similar move himself. However his shot across the goalkeeper slid inches past the right-hand post.

As the game moved into the last ten minutes a definite sense of nervousness was growing amongst Los Blancos as exemplified by the number of times "How long ref?" could be heard coming from players in white shirts. The Greek pressure continued to grow and it looked like the Greeks may have finally found their equalizer from a shot that looked bound for the postage stamp (top right corner). However Justin completed a flawless goal-keeping display by leaping like a salmon to not only keep the ball out but to get a hold of it. As the Greek's continued to try to find a way through Dan C and Joseph (who by this point was wishing that Nivea made a SPF factor 200) CPR made a quick break to kill the game off. Javi was once again able to claim the assist. The Greeks had expected an offside having moved the back line out with Raymond. However Javi played a great pass through to Muzza who had made a run from deep. The Scotsman broke clear. The Greek keeper came rushing out of the penalty box to close the angle and Muzza slid the ball past his near side just inside the right hand post.

2-0 CPR and cue the celebrations.

A very spirited performance all round against a very able opposition. While this victory was very much a team effort, particular mention should go to Justin who delivered a flawless game between the sticks. Again Amos deserves plaudits for a moment of brilliance that tipped the game in CPR's favor. Special mention to Yuval and Joe also for all their effort in running the team this season and of course the whites squad more broadly. Clearly it's an honor for any gaffer to coach us but the effort is appreciated. Both also put in very good performances yesterday. As Alan Hansen says, they may have lost a yard in the legs but have gained a yard upstairs.

Comments from CPR right midfielder Greg Moss: "We really missed Fletcher out there today"

Comments from CPR midfield maestro Marco: "Right boys, Monday is shuttle runs day, what you need to do is..."

Comments from CPR capitano Toph: "I love you all so much right now."

Line up: Justin (GK), Joe Sullivan (RB), Dan C (CB), Joseph (CB), Jacob (LB), Mossy (RM), Toph (CM), Javi (CM), Mad Ma (LM), Famous Amos (F), Muzz (F) Subs all used: Raymond (F), Jacopo (M), Yuval (M), Marco (M)

Los Blancos 2-0 Greek Americans

CPR Reserves won their sixth game in a row to clinch a play-off berth for the first time. Despite the absence of Brettski, John the Goalie, [defensive stalwart] Joakim, [the guile of] Roman and Hamidou and the questionable fitness of Muzza, CPR showed the strength of their squad but more importantly the strength of their character to put the Greeks through the grinder. This game played in the searing heat of McCarren Park which provides no hiding place from the midday sun) required patience and passion in equal measure and CPR were not found wanting.

Manager Yuval Lion had warned before this game that the Greeks would be a better side than any we have faced lately. Indeed, the Greeks were coming into this game with a 4-1-0 record over the last five games. However, this was a record bested only by a team with a 5-0-0 and Los Blancos quickly started with a purpose that showed why they are the holders of that record. From the start CPR sought to try and pass the ball against a team that they knew would try and play a similar game. In particular Javi (he's so good they only call him by one name) was pulling the strings in midfield with Greg Moss proving a very lively outlet on the right hand side. Toph was providing his usual bite and tenacity in breaking down most of the Greek attacking efforts. Up top Amos was looking to be his usual handful for any defense and this day was no different. The Famous enjoyed a couple of gilt edged chances but luck was not to be on his side. The first came when Javi broke through between the two center-backs. At first it looked like CPR's Iniesta might be clean through but the run of the ball would not play kindly for the Spaniard who nonetheless managed to retain possession and feed the ball to The Famous. However the chance was slightly awkward and The Famous was unable to convert. The second was of The Famous's own making. Having rag-dolled the right back, The Famous turned the Greek center-back in knots and with the keeper to beat he sent his shot just wide. CPR's Andy Ma also forced a good save from the capable Greek keeper. As the half continued, CPR continued to press for the goal. Joe Sullivan who had come in for Joakim used his youthful fitness to hit the bye-line. He made a great cut back for Muzza who dummied (cough) for Javi who sent his shot just wide of the post. CPR then survived a scare at the other end. The classy Greek number 11 played a ball through that caught the CPR defense flat footed. However the lively forward sent the ball wide of the left hand post. Back at the other end, Greg Moss played in Muzza who cut across his marker but could managed only to hit the cross bar from just inside the penalty box.

The second half saw CPR continue to dominate a good quality Greek side. By this point CPR had already made some changes to add some freshness on a sweaty day. Jacopo was showing his usual work rate and determination and Raymond was showing some good ball retention and tireless running to try and work a chance through for The Famous. In the end The Famous did what he does best and worked a chance out of nothing when surrounded by players. On the turn he managed to work some space for himself to play a ball through to Javi. The gifted Spaniard spotted The Famous one's burst through and rolled the ball back into his path. Having breached the back line The Famous, rather than sliding the shot in, instead elected to round the Greek keeper completing the move with aplomb. At this point a palpable sense of believe stirred through Los Blancos that perhaps this would be our day. However, CPR knew that seeing the game out at 1-0 would be a very dangerous tactic and with the Greeks pushing forward in search of an equalizer Los Blancos were relying on the counter attack to and kill the game off. The first good chance came from a good passing move between Yuval and Muzza (who by this point was looking a little jaded at the front of the midfield). Yuval played a great return into Muzza's path. However he couldn't quite get enough curl on the shot to send it past the keeper who made a great save. Andy Ma was having an increasing influence on the left hand side and was at the center of two attacking moves. In the first, he roasted his marker and from the bye-line made a great cut back that was agonizingly out of reach for Muzza. In the second Mad Ma chose to close out a similar move himself. However his shot across the goalkeeper slid inches past the right-hand post.

As the game moved into the last ten minutes a definite sense of nervousness was growing amongst Los Blancos as exemplified by the number of times "How long ref?" could be heard coming from players in white shirts. The Greek pressure continued to grow and it looked like the Greeks may have finally found their equalizer from a shot that looked bound for the postage stamp (top right corner). However Justin completed a flawless goal-keeping display by leaping like a salmon to not only keep the ball out but to get a hold of it. As the Greek's continued to try to find a way through Dan C and Joseph (who by this point was wishing that Nivea made a SPF factor 200) CPR made a quick break to kill the game off. Javi was once again able to claim the assist. The Greeks had expected an offside having moved the back line out with Raymond. However Javi played a great pass through to Muzza who had made a run from deep. The Scotsman broke clear. The Greek keeper came rushing out of the penalty box to close the angle and Muzza slid the ball past his near side just inside the right hand post.

2-0 CPR and cue the celebrations.

A very spirited performance all round against a very able opposition. While this victory was very much a team effort, particular mention should go to Justin who delivered a flawless game between the sticks. Again Amos deserves plaudits for a moment of brilliance that tipped the game in CPR's favor. Special mention to Yuval and Joe also for all their effort in running the team this season and of course the whites squad more broadly. Clearly it's an honor for any gaffer to coach us but the effort is appreciated. Both also put in very good performances yesterday. As Alan Hansen says, they may have lost a yard in the legs but have gained a yard upstairs.

Comments from CPR right midfielder Greg Moss: "We really missed Fletcher out there today"
Comments from CPR midfield maestro Marco: "Right boys, Monday is shuttle runs day, what you need to do is..."
Comments from CPR capitano Toph: "I love you all so much right now."

Line up: Justin (GK), Joe Sullivan (RB), Dan C (CB), Joseph (CB), Jacob (LB), Mossy (RM), Toph (CM), Javi (CM), Mad Ma (LM), Famous Amos (F), Muzz (F)
Subs all used: Raymond (F), Jacopo (M), Yuval (M), Marco (M)