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.