CSL Roundup Late collapse costly for Barnabas; Shamrocks prevails

By Jay Mwamba

St. Barnabas’ first match of 2001 in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League turned out to be a seven-goal thriller against New York Albanians that the Saints lost 4-3 after a late collapse at SUNY-Purchase last Sunday. St. Barnabas led 3-1 with 20 minutes left, on goals by Freddy Fitzpatrick (2nd), and veterans Mick Hennessy (35th) and Tommy Whitty (55th), when their lack of match fitness betrayed them.

Albanians, who’d briefly tied the game through George Gjokaj (13th), took over down the stretch and struck three times, courtesy of Gjokaj again (65th), Rolando Demo (70th penalty), and Tony Camaj (85th).

"It was a real collapse. We couldn’t hold them," the Saints’ Aidan Dennis said. "Our training after the [winter] break hasn’t been that great."

"We had numerous chances but couldn’t finish," said Martin Shkreli, whose Albanian side (10-2, 30 points) reclaimed first place in the First Division from Pancyprian Freedoms.

St. Barnabas dropped to 5-5-3 (18) and remain stuck in the middle of the standings.

Morgan Burns scored for the Saints reserves in their 3-1 defeat.

Shamrocks shines

Terry Lawless (7th) and Hofstra University ace Paddy Gearty (35th) scripted a vital 2-1 victory for relegation-threatened Shamrock over Banatul at Brooklyn’s Red Hook ground. Vidu Cusu (13th) replied for Banatul.

It was only Shamrock’s second victory, but it was enough to hoist the Sunnyside men (2-4-4, 10) over Banatul and into eighth place in the First Division, two points above the relegation zone.

"We should have been up four or five in the first half, but last 10 minutes we had our backs against the wall," said John Guildea.

Goalie Paddy Maloney was exceptional in the dying minutes, as he pulled off several outstanding saves to preserve the Shamrock victory.

George McDonald connected for the ‘Rock second team in a 1-all tie with the Banatul reserves, while Niall Carolan led the Shamrock thirds to a 1-0 Metro Division I decision over Krimean Turkish.

Brave Bhoys

Lansdowne Bhoys showed up with only 10 men for their Metro II clash with CD Iberia but still came away with a 1-0 result to improve to 4-4-5 (17). Ray Barrett bagged the winner with a 25-yard volley in the 70th minute.

"Excellent team performance," exclaimed left back Patrick McAleer. "We worked hard on the ball and worked hard off the ball."

McAleer also noted the spirited effort of center back Paul Doherty, fullback Gavin Murray, midfielders Sean Hall and Mario, as well as Emlyn McAleer’s (no relation) excellent goalkeeping.

Gaels soar

Astoria Gaels, third in Metro II (7-4-2, 23) edged United Bulgaria 2-1 on goals by Rob Ormond (60th) and Ger O’Brien (75th). "The lads played absolutely brilliantly," gushed Gaels manager Jimmy Ralph.

Savvy Celtics

For the opening 25 minutes of their Over-30 tussle with Pele Masters at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn Celtic played with seven men but were able to hold the Guyanese side goalless.

Shortly after four more Celtic players joined the fray, Eaves Limoge fired in a rocket after receiving the ball near the center circle (30th).

Sean Conaghan and Danny Shields added two more goals early in the second half to seal a 3-0 victory and take the Celtics (7-1-1, 22) to the top of the "B" Division standings.

Rory Finn’s GH Metros also emerged victorious, 4-1, over New York Greek-American/Atlas "A" at Red Hook. Carlos, Julio (two) and Steve Bodden scored as Metros goalie Armandio Rodriguez produced two assists.

NYAC on song

First Division champs New York Athletic Club overcame Fikret Celaj’s 10th minute go-ahead goal for Koha to triumph 3-1 at Travers Island and stay in touch with front runners Albanians and Pancyprian. Koha’s reserves were beaten 3-0.

The Ronan Downs coached NYAC, who are in third position (8-3-1, 25), hit back through reserve player Cory Mullins (35th), Billy Cronin (70th), and Stephan Greenberg (85th).

"We played with great resolve and I’m delighted with the win," said Downs. He picked defender Glenn Livingston as man of the match.

Downs’ quest for a sixth league title in seven seasons received an assist from Fairfield/Westchester United, who upset hitherto leaders Pancyprian 4-3 at Woodlands High School.

Battling Fairfield trailed for most of the match as Pancyprian, sans the injured Ben Hickey, led through Anastasious Polydekis (two) and Nikolas Paraskevopolous. Carlos Torres, Martin Munnelly and Jimmy Vas kept the home side in the game, until Mike Paskey snatched the winner in the 82nd minute.

Fairfield’s Matt Miller singled out John Muzzio for MVP honors after his exploits in both the reserves 1-all tie and the win over Pancyprian.

Kickers rebound

Manhattan Kickers bounced back from the previous week’s 2-1 loss to Ripensia-Romania with a 3-1 romp over New York Dinamo at Downing Stadium. Joe Whiteman (5th), new signing Mark Sailor (75th) and Chris Van Tuyl (85th) tallied.

"A well-earned, hard fought battle," summed up Kickers’ player-coach Mike Fitzgerald.

Ripensia shut out S.C. Eintracht 3-0 at Grover Cleveland High School, thanks to Olimpiu Roman (13th, 25th) and Adrian Ionete (75th). Eintracht’s reserves prevailed 1-0.

Goalfest

Nag’s Head United demolished Bergen Kickers 6-0 at the Overpeck County Park after the Nag’s reserves were crushed 6-1. Brian McLoughlin had the requisite hat trick for the Nag’s first team, while Phil Troope added a brace and Rolando Paz one goal.

"It was one of those days," shrugged Nag’s coach John Delaney, an infield player who was forced to man the goal posts and managed to keep a clean sheet.

At McCarran Park, Ridgewood Romac held off FC Japan 3-2. Bacula Sofroni (two) and Edward Laibner struck for Ridgewood, while Shohei Fukuda (two) replied for Japan, whose reserves fell 1-0.

In other Div. II results, Central Park Rangers and Guyana Juniors battled to a goalless at Floyd Bennett Field, Clarkstown beat New York Wanderers 3-0 and Barnstonworth Rovers pipped BW Poughkeepsie 1-0.

Metro action

Cory Pirouz (two), Tony Bennett and Phil Godwin steered Central Park Rangers to a 4-1 win over CD Iberia. Jersey City FC beat BW Gottschee 1-0, while Gotham FC and Roosevelt drew 0-0.