Celtic creamed by Turkish side

In Over-30 action, Brooklyn Celtic also succumbed, 4-2, to New York Greek-American/Atlas at Flushing High School, despite goals by Paddy O’Sullivan (60th) and Wesley Beyanes (63rd).
Costas Tsirkas drew first blood for the Greeks (35th), before O’Sullivan and Beyanes shot Celtic ahead. But missing several key players, including Jim Murray and Scotsman Sean Conaghan, Celtic were unable to maintain the pace and eventually caved in to goals by Lucio Russo (two) and Jose Luis Leva.
“We could have won the game but we made too many mistakes,” O’Sullivan said.

Turf War
Shamrock’s 2002-2003 league debut was aborted last Sunday after hosts Manhattan Kickers lost a fight for the much coveted East River Park field to a feisty women’s team.
The reserve match, played earlier, ended in a scrappy goalless tie despite the Kickers playing the last 10 minutes with nine men.
Shamrock’s other teams were on the losing end against Metro Div. I and Over-30 opposition.
An 88th minute strike by Barnstonworth Rovers’ Eric Chiprich sent the Shamrock thirds reeling to a 1-0 defeat in a Metro fixture at Roosevelt Island, while veteran John Guildea notched the Rocks’ face-saver in a 4-1 pasting by the NYAC Over-30 side at Msgr. McClancy High School in Flushing.
Gilad, Dick Cini and Etsu Tanaguchi were the NYAC scorers.

Rory Shines
Rory Finn, son of the GH Metros coach of the same name, shone in Over-30 side’s 2-1 decision over tough Pele Masters at Randalls Island. The 35-year-old sweeper held the fort at the back as efforts by Archie (65th) and Steve Bodden (80th) lifted Metros from a goal down to victory.
“I think we are going to be better than last season,” said the elder Finn.

First Division
Tony Camaj (55th) and Roland Demo (70th) got defending champs New York Albanians off to a winning start in the league at the expense of Barnstonworth Rovers, whom they edged 2-1 at Roosevelt Island.
Albanians’ reserves won 3-2. There was also a win for Ridgewood who pipped CD Iberia 1-0 on Dan Ciabuca’s 54th minute goal.

Goalfest
Tom Stefanowski (two), Keith Buckholz (two) and Reggie Breton were on target as Gotham FC outshot Central Park Rangers 5-4 in a Metro Div. I match at the River Bank State Park.