Day: September 30, 2017

Solow, Isbell & Palladino vs Irish Times

IMG_2510.MOV (click to watch Ben G’s save on a free kick from Solow).
The second game of Saturday’s double header featured Irish Times taking on the Solow, Isbell & Palladino Immigrants, with more fans in attendance than subs on either bench.
A strong wind and Irish Times’ good play and pressure kept the ball in the Immigrants’ half for most of the first half, but on one SIP foray forward Alejandro Zapata was tripped in the Irish Times box. Captain Justin Meltzer stepped up and converted the spot kick for a 1-0 lead that the Immigrants held till half time. With the wind at their back, the Immigrants found it a little easier to move the ball forward, but still faced consistent pressure from the Irish with the very skilled midfield trio of Ian Kane, Bartlett Markel and Andres Chabur picking passes to James Holt and speedy rookie Koffi Adjagio. But the Immigrants’ back line, anchored by Harry Middleton, Brian Kessler, Alejandro and Dan McNichol held firm. With about 15 minutes to go, SIP’s industrial-strength midfielder Matt Truong found Jim Reggiani with a through ball to the right of the Irish penalty area, and Jim placed his shot perfectly, low and just inside the far post, to give the Immigrants a bit of breathing room. A very close game, edged 2-0 in favor of the Immigrants.
Many thanks to Mike Dalton & Rich Giusti for reffing a pretty clean but definitely intense match.
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Stargazy vs Dalton & Associates

Stargazy and D&A met for the first time this season on a true autumn day at Penn Park.  The wind was whipping from one direction of the field to the other, greatly affecting the flow of play during the game.

The first half saw Stargazy playing with the wind at their backs.  However, the first goal came from an powerful outside-the-right-foot arrow from Shawn A. for D&A.  He took a short drop-off pass from Michael D. towards the left side of the 18-yard box and fired inside the left post to open up the scoring. 1-0.

Both teams had chances the rest of the first half.  But, with 10 minutes left in the first half, a foul outside of D&A’s 18-yard box led to Stargazy’s first goal.  Dan S. played in a lofted right-footed cross and, attempting to clear the ball, Lance put the ball into the right side-netting of the D&A goal.  1-1.

The first half ended 1-1.

The second half saw D&A with the wind at their backs and control much of the beginning 10-15 minutes of the second half.  Several missed opportunities form D&A ultimately culminated in the second goal for D&A with 10 minutes remaining in the second half.  The goal came from a counterattack on the left wing.  Everett R. initiated the play up the wing and played a low through-ball to Michael D. at the edge of the left-hand side of the Stargazy 18-yard box.  Michael D. played it into the right as Everett overlapped to the inside.  A tackle on Everett as he shot resulted in the ball careening in front of goal, where Ali K. followed-up the play and scored the game-winning goal. 2-1.

The final moments of the game were tense, as Stargazy had two headed chances at the D&A goal. Both chances went over the bar and the game ended 2-1.

Thanks to Rich and Jerry for refereeing.

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