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Standings,
results and other stats
A goal in each half by Paul Galli kept the Cosmopolitan Soccer
League’s best record intact going into the winter break after
the Metro Div. 2 leaders Long Island United topped Gotham Argo 2-0
at Herricks Field on the Island last Sunday.
Dubbed the “The Iceman” from his high school days when
he played with several of the United squad, Galli got his first
goal from a spectacular overhead kick following a John Savvochi
throw in.
He fired in number two from a direct free kick outside the box.
“Another shutout, it’s exciting going in the break undefeated,”
said Romano Savocchi whose side has won every game they’ve
played since joining the CSL this season.
United improved to 10-0 (30) in the league and 13-0 overall if you
include their results in the D’Arpino Cup whose semi-finals
they’ll contest in the spring.
Yet despite their brilliant record, they’re only two points
clear in a highly competitive division, this after Frosinone Met
Oval FC hammered NY’s Finest 4-1 at Flushing Meadow to up their
equally impressive stats to 9-0-1 (28).
Sabiku Kreshnik, Semso Nikocevic (two) and Diego Garcia connected
for Frosinone who are also unbeaten.
How close is the title race in Metro Div. 2? Third place Korona
Bay Ridge who began their recess on December 12, are 9-1 (27), just
three points adrift of Long Island.
RUTHLESS DENNEHY’S
Because of the competition in Metro 2, Mr. Dennehy’s had no
qualms about running up the score against short-handed Zenit FC
at South Shore High School where they crushed their fellow rookies
11-0.
Gerry Smith led all scorers with four goals; Lance Pitterson and
Mark Heslop grabbed a brace; while Robbie Graham, Andy Sole and
JP Loize had one apiece. Kevin McAnally had five assists.
Said Daniel Fallon: “They only had 10 players (and) we don’t
like running the score up like that, but with 17 teams in the league,
promotion could be decided by goal differential.”
PARTISAN EFFORT
Goals were also flying at McCarren Park where Partizani drubbed
New York Wanderers 6-1 in another Metro 2 fixture.
Wanderers kicked off with a man advantage, after Partizani could
only suit up nine players, and would regret not making their numerical
edge count. A Partizani player showed up late and with both teams
on equal footing, the home side went up 2-0 courtesy of Jon Paul
and Elsen Kodra.
Kodra added another two in the second half; with Alban Dizdari --
his first of the season -- and Pirro Ceco also on the mark.
Five minutes from the end, Partizani were reduced to nine players
once again when defender turned goalie Eni Zejnati was ejected for
handling the ball outside the box.
Hat trick hero Kodra went in goals and saved the ensuing free kick.
CRIPPLING LOSS
Manhattan Kickers boss Mike Fitzgerald called it a “defining
match at the end of a season of struggles.” But struggle the
Kickers did once again as they ended the year with a painful 3-2
defeat by New York Albanians at Evander Childs High School.
Runners-up in Division One (West) the last two seasons, Fitzgerald’s
men suffered a double blow in the bottom-of-the-table clash after
losing attackers Richie Webb (separated shoulder) and Joe Whiteman
(groin).
How quick the talismanic duo returns from injury in the spring could
determine Kickers’ First Division future after going into the
winter break in last place (1-6-3, 6) on the West standings.
Kickers made a bad start even before Webb’s mishap, Regelc
shooting the home side ahead inside two minutes.
Webb’s fall occurred after he was shoved out of bounds (5th).
The initial diagnosis was a dislocated shoulder that midfielder
Colin O’Banion, a physical therapist, popped back in.
The brave Webb, who just returned to the Kickers side after a year
studying at Oxford, was on the field when Andy Stern cracked home
an Ian Pilarski free kick (10th) for the equalizer.
However, an EMT crew that arrived at the field pulled the Kicker
stalwart off and insisted that he be rushed to a hospital for X-rays.
Ironically, Kickers’ gloom was immediately lifted by Webb’s
replacement, Ari Dolegowski who’d played 90 minutes in the
reserves’ 2-1 victory. The one-time Shamrock winger flew down
the right flank and crossed for O’Banion to score (20th).
It was one-way traffic, though, on resumption with veteran forward
Toni Camaj twice coming close for Albanians before Mario waltzed
through the Kickers defense to slot in the equalizer (15th).
Five minutes later, Camaj connected from close range after Kickers’
backline had failed to clear a loose ball.
Kickers mounted a late, desperate, rally for an equalizer that only
resulted in more grief when Whiteman suffered a groin injury while
attempting an overhead kick.
With the win, Albanians (3-7, 9) moved three points clear of both
the drop zone and Kickers while awaiting reinforcements in the spring.
“They had more desire,” Fitzgerald summed up the Albanian
victory.
ERIC & EDDIE
In the reserve fixture, goals by Eric Engler and Eddie Hull in the
2-1 decision hauled Kickers off the foot of the table -- at Albanians
expense.
POLE POSITION
Michael Siwiec’s undefeated Polonia ended the fall eight points
clear atop the East after edging New York Greek-American/Atlas 1-0
at McCarran Park. Atlas’ reserves were thrashed 5-0.
Polonia improved to 7-0-3 (24), while the Greeks (5-4-1) share second
position with Pancyprian Freedoms (4-1-4).
STAL TOPS
While one Polish side lights up the First Division, another, Stal
Mielec, is making a strong run in the Second Division.
Irek Maj’s hat trick and goals apiece by Mariusz Nejman and
Andrzej Gornisiewicz enabled Stal to thrash Central Park Rangers
5-1 and wrench first place from vacationing Manhattan Celtic and
FC Bulgaria.
Undefeated Mielec (6-0-3, 21) lead the formers leaders by two points.
Stal’s reserves also signed off on happy note, trouncing CPR’s
seconds 4-1 on strikes by Robert Warpas (two), Pawel Sokolowski
and Marcin Wiercioch.
GAELS PIPPED
Koha forward Mesudin Beqaj connected seven minutes from time to
snatch a 1-0 victory over Astoria Gaels at Brooklyn’s Commodore
Barry Field.
Gaels finished the fall season in seventh place (3-5-2, 11) out
of ten clubs in Division Two.
GERRY STRIKE
In the reserve fixture, Gerry O’Brien’s early strike (20th)
for the Gaels seconds was canceled out by Fikret Celaj’s second
half double (60th, 75th).
FIVE-STAR GHEORGHE
Ridgewood’s Gheorge Radulescu had a field day against nine-man
Homenetman, reeling in five goals in the Romanians’ 9-1 triumph
over the perennially short-handed Armenians.
Catalin Laibner knocked in three in the Metro Div. 1 tussle and
Dany Anton one.
ROCKS FALL
Shamrock ended the first the fall vowing to strengthen their squad
during the winter break after a 4-1 pasting by Sporting Astoria
at Long Island City High School.
Cairan Moloney scored the Metro Div. 1 side’s last goal of
2006 off a Sean Kelly assist in the 15th minute before Astoria took
charge against the depleted Rocks.
“We gave it one hundred percent and had a couple of chances.
Credit to Sporting for taking all their chances,” said Shamrock
coach Robbie Walsh.
“It’s been a good half,” he added, even while committed
to upgrading his roster.
“Paddy Geraghty, who’s the club captain, will be working
on strengthening the team during the break. We’re looking to
bringing in five to six new players,” he said.
PREMIER CLASS
Eintracht’s first loss of the season came against top class
opposition at the Metro Oval where ‘B’ Division (West)
pace-setters Barnstonworth Premier won 3-1.
Narces Phanor, Hernan Paredes and Peter Best moved Premier (8-0-3,
27) seven points clear of Eintracht whose Tommy Strumpf was on target.
PELE ROMP
In the East, Ronald Clark banged in four in Pele Masters’ 7-1
romp over GH Metros at McCarren Park.
Linden Layne, David Pope and Darius Higgins were the other Pele
scorers, while Giovanni Sergio got the Metros face-saver.
Second place Pele (5-0-4, 19) trail leaders Guyana Veterans ‘A’
(7-0-3, 24) by five points.
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