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Standings,
results and other stats
If defending champions Brooklyn Italians were looking for a new spring in their step at the end of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League (CSL) winter break last Sunday, they didn’t find it against Barnstonworth Rovers.
Second half goals by Einar Benediktsson (48th) and Stephen Pugliese (65th) handed Brooklyn their fourth defeat of the season in their make-up game at Verazzano Sports Complex.
Both strikes came after Brooklyn had squandered a 40th minute penalty, further dampening the Italians’ hopes of a three-peat in the CSL top flight.
Rovers, coached by Stravos Zomopoulos, climbed into second place (5-3-1, 16) in the West, five points off the pace.
Brooklyn, title winners the past two seasons, dropped to fourth place in the six-team conference, eight points adrift of leaders Pancyprian Freedoms.
It was a fruitful day for Rovers whose reserves triumphed 3-0, courtesy of Matt Lowe, Alfonzo Nanclares and an own goal.
KICK START
David Taylor and Colin O’Banion each connected twice in a 4-1 romp over Koha to bolster Manhattan Kickers’ chances of a quick return to the First Division.
Taylor broke the ice for the Second Division leaders on a chilly day at New Utrecht High School when he headed in a Guliano Soderini cross at the back post (12th).
He sealed the rout four minutes from time after O’Banion’s brace (65th, 82nd) had restored Kickers’ lead following a Koha leveler (25th) midway through the first half.
Taylor shared Man of the Match honors with fellow midfielder Andy Stern, whose free kick set up O’Banion’s first goal in the make-up fixture. Mike Fitzgerald’s men improved to 7-1-1 (22), three points ahead of second place Frosinone.
MORE KICKS
Kickers’ victory over Koha’s first team meant that the weren’t outdone by their reserves who topped the Koha seconds 3-1 to move seven points clear on the Second Division Reserve standings. Gilad Bloom (two) and Paul Cowler did the damage, while shot-stopper Chris Schilling earned kudos from coach Fitzgerald for his brilliant play.
The Kicker reserves upped their record to 8-1 (29), with Frosinone (5-2-2) a distant second.
KORONA ECLIPSED
At Long Island City High School, Sporting Astoria came from a goal down to beat Korona Bay Ridge 3-1 in a Metro Div. One make-up game.
Jorge Monsalve canceled out Korona’s first half lead from the penalty spot (55th) and then finished off an excellent move by skipper Chris Burns (85th) who dribbled past two defenders, sprinted down the by-line and sent in a cross.
Sporting’s insurance goal came with the clock ticking and the entire Korona team, including the goalkeeper, upfield for a corner. Sporting cleared their lines sending the ball to a striker who shot into the empty net.
Sporting (3-4-3, 12) moved four points clear of the drop zone in the East.
GUYANA WIN
In Metro Div. One West, Guyana Juniors beat Mr. Dennehy’s 3-1 at the Parade Grounds.
SUM TOTAL
Pythagros Samos edged United Rocklanders 2-1 in a Metro Div. Two top-of-the-table clash at Van Buren High School.
Alex and Gus Sapountzis landed the old one-two for undefeated Pythagros (6-0-3, 21) who lead the West, while Marc Luxama was on target for Rocklanders (3-3-4, 13), pace-setters in the East.
“We played a good game but fell short of the win,” said Fritz Bosquet. “Alfonso Morales assisted on Marc’s goal and the defense did a good job.”
GOTHAM BATTLE
Gotham Argo and winless Zenit FC battled to a 2-2 tie at the Southern Fields in Queens.
“Argo was unable to convert several good chances in the first half hour, while goalie Matt Glauner made some great saves to keep Zenit from scoring,” said Gotham skipper Ronnie Swinkels who headed in a CP Devera ball (35th) for the opener.
“It looked as if that would be the half time score, but Zenit equalized just before the break,” he added.
Zenit, basement dwellers in the East [0-3-5, 5], went ahead on resumption, provoking a Gotham fight-back that paid dividend when Sydney “Dzino” Dzinoreva blasted in a thunderous shot.
“Argo had a few more chances but the match ended undecided,” Swinkels summed up.
Gotham [4-2-3, 15] are second in the West, six points behind Pythagoras.
EINTRACHT FALL
Elsewhere in Metro Div. Two, Jason Careri had both S.C. Eintracht goals in a 4-2 loss to Barnstonworth Rovers at the Metropolitan Oval.
Jason Moore (25th) drew first blood for Rovers off a Juan Gonzalez Casares assist. In the second half, the combination of Donald Robertson and Gavin Dick yielded three goals.
First the latter set up the former for number two (55th), then
Robertson returned the favor for Dick (65th) who sealed the win with a solo effort (85th).
CPR CLINCHER
Playing with ten-men for the last half hour, Central Park Rangers held off Barnstonworth Rangers 2-1 in Over-30 action at McCarren Park.
All three goals came in a late rush in the first half with Mike Conboy and Jonny Lincoln shooting CPR ahead before Rovers got one back from the spot.
CPR had their goalie dismissed on the hour, presumably for dissent after he challenged a call by the referee. “Thankfully, we managed to hold on for the win as we squandered several other opportunities,” said Andrew Faherty.
GUYANA DERBY
Raymond Floy had the only goal in Guyana Veterans B’s upset victory over sister club Guyana Veterans A at the Parade Grounds. The latter had kicked off second on the Over-30 First Division (East) log.
SILVER STREAK
Silver Lake made the most of Guyana A’s defeat to move into second place with a 2-1 decision over BW Gottschee at Queens Children’s Hospital.
John Lia and Sinan Selmani, both assisted by Nicola Cirrincione, saw off Gottschee. It was Lia’s ninth goal of the season, while Selmani grabbed his first.
Felipe Aguirre pulled one back for Gottschee in the 35th minute, knocking in the rebound after the Silver goalie had stopped his initial penalty kick.
“Gottschee pushed in the second half, had a few chances but couldn’t come up with the equalizer,” said Eddie Silva, whose side dropped to 2-6-1 in the East.
SILVER STREAK II
In a wild shoot-out at Pier 40, Argo Silver thrashed RTG 7-3 after erasing a 2-0 deficit.
Oscar Vazquez led Argo with a hat trick; Thierry Debaille added a brace, while Carlos Wesley and Enrique “Rick” Marchese chipped in with a goal apiece.
PREMIER TIE
Barnstonworth Premier split points with Pele Masters, another of the Guyanese contingent in the Over-30 Division, after a 3-all tie at Kaiser Field. Nedgy Nazon, Peter Best (pen.) and an own goal accounted for Premier’s tally.
CELTIC TRIALS
Division Two Manhattan Celtic are looking for new players for both its first and reserve teams. The club is holding trials Sunday nights at Pier 40 from 8:15 p.m.
Call Ian Woodcock at (201) 207-5994 or send an email to ian4141@aol.com. |
