Gotham Argo vs. United Rocklanders

Gotham Argo 6 - 2 United Rocklanders
Location: Pier 40
Time: 9pm

----- match report by Momo Diop

At 8:45 pm, the argos were ready and impatient to build upon the large victory of the previous week. At 9:00 pm, you could read disappointment on most of the argo warriors faces as the Rocklanders were nowhere to be found. Around 9:15ish, here they are finally. Let the fun begin.....

Starting Gotham Argo line up:
------------------------- [Jeremy] ---------------------------
--------Jon Furie * James Whiteley * Troy Strike --------
----------------------- Will Henderson -----------------------
Kevin Gordon * Momo Diop * Sam Ray * James Coppack
-------------- Sammy Sneed * Gaspar Epstein --------------
subs: Carlos Garcia, Abhik Malik
Rocklanders line up: Don't know

After having tested the Rocklanders defense for the first few minutes of the game, making them run left and right, Sam Sneed decided to open his account for the night around the 15th-ish minute of the game with a beautiful shot on the left corner after a nice play from the midfield (1-0).Then.... Some of us lost the count. Sam would soon double, triple before giving a caviar to ... who else, another Sam (Ray) to reward his nice run from the midfield. Even James Whiteley invited himself to the goal party, sending a strong shot into the nets after an ill-negotiated corner from the Rocklanders defense.

Half time Argo: 5 - Rocklanders: 0

Second half: Many of us thought the game done when starting the second half although we have been warned by coach Dana P. Dimon that the Rocklanders would come really hard in the second half. It did not take long to realize that as they score 2 quick goals early in the second half (5-2). That was a needed wake up call as the argos decided to toughen up and stop what was looking like a historic come back for UR. Then the frustration started building up among the Rocklanders: insults, nasty plays, nonsensical complaints to the ref etc.... They even scared the whole team, sending the strong Jamo out with a nasty injury on the ankle: ohhh my... we lost the "samurai" for the season... (nickname he got from our last week's opponent for shouting non stop) But that's not really knowing who the man is. 5 minutes from the end of the game, Dana called out Momo Diop (for poor performance??) for who: Jamo Whiteley.. yes... himself... who would find the time and luxury to score a beautiful goal from an individual action to finally bury the Rocklanders (6-2).

Final score: Gotham Argo: 6- United Rocklanders: 2
Scorers
Argo: Sam (3), Sam Ray (1), James Whiteley (2)
Rocklanders: Number 17 (2)

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--- additional match report by Dana P. Dimon
(report from Momo Diop was sadly too late for submission to First Touch magazine as he has no access to personal email at work)

The first beautiful evening of spring. Gotham Argo arrived in high spirits. Game due to kickoff by 9pm and at a quarter past it appeared the game may not happen with nary a sign of an opponent. At last - the majority of UR arrived en masse and took the field with 9 and grew to 11 as additional United Rocklanders continued to arrive over the next 15 minutes. UR started strong employing their signature style of sending balls over the top to their ultra-speedy forwards (a couple of whom appeared no older than 14 years of age). Gotham Argo quickly adjusted to UR's method of play and with their own ultra-speedy, and always impressively composed, Sammy Sneed, managed to lay in a lovely goal at minute 7 from a strong cross from Kevin Gordon. The Argo boys found themselves on their toes dealing with the speed of some of the URs but also, fortunately, frequently found themselves (apt alliteration's artful aid) with avenues of space and room to connect. (15th minute) another sexy goal by Sammy Sneed (Gaspar Epstein assist), (16th minute) - a goal by Sam Ray off of a pass tucked through by Sammy Sneed. Before the end of the half Sneed completed his hat track with yet another goal (33rd minute - assist by Carlos Garcia) and last but by no means least, Gotham Argo's sweeper and field general, James Whiteley, snuck up top from centre back for a corner and laid in his own lovely goal (39th minute - another assist from Carlos Garcia) to end the half at 5-0.

By all rights the score would have been at least 5-2 if not for a number of to-be-expected, rock-star sexy saves from Argo's keeper, Jeremy "Schroeder/That's How I Roll Baby" Newton.

United Rocklanders re-grouped at half time, coming back strong and determined. Gotham Argo appeared uninspired and fatigued, and while struggling to find their shape, UR managed to score 2 goals against them. Argo's boys battled to hold on in the second half while attempting to relax and slow down the pace. Left back Troy Strike and sweeper James Whiteley came off with injuries which added some concern regarding the possibly changing tide but Argo managed to hold them off with tenacity. With 5 minutes left, Whiteley intoned "put me back in Coach!" and returned to the game in Central Midfield and hungry. Dribbling through half-a-dozen opponents, to the echo of manager Dana P. Dimon's outcry "do it Whiteley, do it!", and with no hint of the injury that required he be carried off the field, Whiteley fiercely, and oh-so sexily, nailed in a final goal for Gotham Argo in the 89th minute.

Fuel FC vs. NYC Sirens

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SUNDAY APRIL 26, 2009
Fuel FC 3 - 1 NYC Sirens
3pm East River Park * E. 6th street

------ Match Report by Andi Hargrave

Bedecked in the latest Personal Portable Sauna^TM from Japan, GK Andi Hargrave expected a busy day with only nine Sirens available to face a fully staffed Fuel FC. The sun was sweltering, although there was a slight breeze off the river. A long ball up the middle sprung a breakaway goal for Fuel shortly after the opening whistle. But in no time, the scoreline was level again as Leslie Jucovics sent a long, high ball towards the Fuel goal. The bounce was misjudged by the ‘keeper and the scrambling Fuel defenders were unable to keep the ball out of the net. It was a great bit of luck for the violet shirts that seemed to take the wind out of their opponent for the remainder of the first half. The short-sided Sirens caught another break when both game balls were cleared over the riverside construction fence, resulting in a several minute breather while they were retrieved. Both teams had several opportunities each from corner kicks, but no scoring came of it, and the teams went into halftime tied 1-1.

The Sirens arrived on the sidelines red-faced but confident in their first half play. After a drawn out break, the teams re-took the field and Fuel resumed their long-ball assault. Before long, Fuel came up with another breakaway goal. A two-on-one resulted in yet another. But the chances for Fuel dried up after that. With only nine players, the Sirens were able to dominate in possession and scoring chances for the remainder of the game, but sadly, no more goals would come. Even the sending off of a foul-mouthed Fuel forward proved to be too little, too late.

Final score: Sirens 1 Fuel 3.

BW Gottschee vs. Argo Silver

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SUNDAY APRIL 26th, 2009
BW Gottschee 3 - 1 Argo Silver
9am Queens Children's Hospital
weather: hot
field conditions: deplorable

------ match report by Tim Olson

We were outclassed all over the pitch as our opponents pressed hard and won nearly all the 50/50 balls. They showed control and teamwork as they worked the ball through midfield while we were unable to maintain possession. All three of their goals came from central through balls where the defense was overwhelmed by unmarked runs. Keeper, Elliot Gilmore, injured, came out to sweep up at least another two breakaways and the score should have been worse. For our part, Simon Wheeldon had a long range blast careen off the crossbar, but other than that, we had almost no shots on goal. Terry Harcott got his body in front of a straight freekick to direct the ball into the net for a consolation goal.

Gotham Argo vs. NY's Finest

Gotham Argo 5 - 0 NY's Finest
9pm PIER 40 Courtyard East

------- match report by Jeremy Newton

On Sunday, Gotham Argo secured a long overdue victory against New York's Finest (who were 2 for 2 this season). Through superior ball control, speed, grit and determination, the goals came fast and furious for Argo in the first 30 minutes of the match. Sam Sneed started off the scoring smorgasbord with a beautiful shot from just inside the 18 into the far upper right corner. A couple minutes later, Uri Itkin, never one to be out of the action for long, collected a ball their goalkeeper had punched (more realistically swatted away) at the corner of the box, and with an outside of the foot half-volley, sent the ball in a gentle arc over the defender's heads, with just enough left to right side spin to nestle the ball safely in the side netting. Ten minutes later, Argo was again on the counter attack, and Troy Strike sends a long ball to the top of the box, where Jeremy Newton collects the ball, touches it past his defender and the sweeper, and coolly slots the ball into the far post. Another 10 minutes later, Gotham Argo again mustered up a scoring attack, this time with some nice short passing up the middle and right sides of the field between Momo Diop, Sam Ray, and Uri Itkin. Working the ball all the way up to the Finest's 18, Sam Ray makes a pass to Sammy Sneed, who pirouettes around his defender and sends a vicious strike just past the keeper's outstretched hands for the fourth goal of the match.

Having achieved a 4 goal lead, the rest of the game was less than dominating for Argo, though its opponents still only came up with a handful of goal scoring opportunities, which were capably handled by our guest goalkeeper for the night, Argo Silver's, Elliot Gilmore. Although Argo was no longer controlling and moving the ball as they did in the first half, they still managed to sneak in one more goal when Sam Sneed used his superior speed to beat his defender and dribble into the box for a nice little 3 on 3. Slotting the ball back to Kevin Gordon in the middle of the pitch drew two defenders, including the one marking Jeremy on the far post. In a gesture of generosity, Kevin eschewed taking the shot himself, and passed it to the far post where Jeremy easily finished to make the game 5-0.

Skulls vs. NYC Sirens

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SUNDAY * APRIL 19 , 2009
1:30pm New Utrecht
---------- report by NYC Sirens fan Vova Tabereaux

With several players out of town, numerous injuries and illnesses, NYC Sirens were left with only 6 players available. A requisite 7 for an official match forced NYC Sirens to forfeit to the Skulls who chose to win by forfeit rather than face the Sirens later in a rescheduled match.

Gotham Argo vs. VV Niuew Amsterdam

Gotham Argo 1 - 2 VV Niuew Amsterdam
9pm PIER 40 Courtyard East

------ match report by James Whiteley

The dark night .....but a brighter dawn ahead!

A beautiful spring day in Manhattan led to a perfect evening for soccer on Pier 40’s turf pitch as Gotham Argo gave VV Niuew Amsterdam (NA), the league leaders, a mighty scare but ultimately ended up losing when they should have got something from this game....aka Aston Villa and Fulham in the EPL against loftier placed opponents.

The pre-match talk from the Gaffer (Dana P. Dimon) was all about competing for every ball and ensuring we started early as our opponents we also come out of the blocks firing. Argo did not disappoint! Our opponents looked shocked as Argo attacked well down both flanks, assisted by Sam Ray and Momo Diop dominating the centre of midfield. Argo had the ball in the net as early as the fifth minute only for the referee to rule it out as the decision had been to award an indirect free kick ....the Argo bench looked perplexed (or was it wind?!?!) Still the Gotham boys poured forward and their endeavours were eventually rewarded when a quick free kick resulted in RICARDO Cuesta scoring after some good work by GASPER Epstein who provided the killer pass.

After the goal Argo sat back allowing NA to gain a foothold in the game. NA started to up the tempo as you would expect from a team top of the league, they also upped the aggression levels yet the Gotham defence stood firm ably assisted by two spectacular saves from Mr Reliable, Jeremy Newton.

Half Time – Gotham Argo 1v0 VV Niuew Amsterdam

The half time talk centred around holding the ball, slowing down the play a little as the pace was far to frenetic and could not be maintained ....these turned out to be prophetic words!

Unlike the first half Argo started slowly, giving the ball away cheaply in key areas resulting in NA getting a string of corner kicks and throw ins - which felt like corners - (was that Stoke City’s finest Rory Delap launching those missiles?!?) and it was from one of these throws that Argo finally conceded after a brave header from the NA centre forward. Ryan Gemmell was injured trying to defend the throw which resulted in the defence being jigged around again which didn’t help but by this stage NA were rampant and the Argo legs were heavy. The second goal came from a long ball over the top which caught the defence napping, Jeremy made a brave save at the attackers feet only for the ball to break to a NA player who made no mistake with an unguarded goal in front of him. It shows how much NA wanted to win this game and how much of a scare the Argo boys had given them by the way they celebrated the goal with their large vocal support ...you would have thought they just won the world cup!

Argo tried in vain to claw their way back into the game. Sammy Sneed had a spectacular overhead kick well saved but alas it was not to be and NA were grateful when the final whistle was blown. Final Score – Gotham Argo 1v2 VV Niuew Amsterdam. Argo really gave everything in this game and, having played so well for a large part of the game, can feel aggrieved losing. But this is soccer ...we will play worse this season and win! Argo can take many positives forward to the next game after the Easter break ...please dont eat too many eggs lads!!

Smokin’ Aces vs. NYC Sirens

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SUNDAY APRIL 5th, 2009
Smokin’ Aces 0 - 0 NYC Sirens
5pm * Red Hook Park # 3

------- reported by Marina Bontkowski

It was the perfect Sunday afternoon for a soccer game. The Sirens met the Smokin’ Aces at the half-field benches next to a perfectly flat turf field in Brooklyn expecting a tough match up. They soon learned, however, that the play was quite even. Although off to a messy start in the first fifteen minutes of the game, the Sirens cleaned up their spacing and figured out their marks to defend the Smokin’ Aces who mostly sent long balls to their forwards. There were two instances where the Sirens thought they were going to get caught in the back short-handed, but Andi was able to make a couple amazing saves.

The second half the Sirens really stepped up to their playing potential and dominated a good portion at the end of the half in the Aces’ 18. In fact, Jordyn launched a rocket shot that would have made it in had Mary not taken it in the stomach and gotten the wind knocked out of her. The Sirens certainly frustrated the Aces who came to the field assuming they had this one in the bag. With four subs on the side, the Aces were rotating into the game frequently and keeping their players well-rested. Little did they know that this worked to the Sirens’ advantage, who had no subs, because the Aces were too busy figuring out places to get their heads into the game.

The Sirens once again proved that they can play calm, clean soccer opposed to lots of ping-pong by the opponent. While several girls left feeling we should have won the game because we dominated so much, there were many events to be proud of besides some super star shots. Also stepping up to the plate this week was Kate, who showed her fierce skills on the outside right.

Argo Silver vs. Westchester FC

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SUNDAY APRIL 5th, 2009
Argo Silver 3 – Westchester FC 2
7am * Randall's Island #72

----------- match report by Terry Harcott

The biggest shock of the day has to be that for a 7am yes 7am! All of Argo Silvers players were on time and ready to play at this unnatural hour. Who over thought that Randall Island was even open at that time?

(dana p. dimon adds: all on time? not really. Simon, Michael, Zen Rob and Elliot were 'on time' - the rest arrived in time for 'kickoff')

The first half was pretty uneventful apart from a "missed" handball that led to Westchester leading going in at half time with a one nil lead.

The second half was much better and more eventful probably down to the shock of playing so early disappearing from our players. It wasn't long before Argo equalized with a fantastic long range shot by Simon. There was a number of complaints from Westchester who claimed the ball never crossed the line although it was quite clearly a good foot over the line.

The goal revitalized Argo and after a couple of good changes Michael popped up in the area to put Argo two – one ahead. At this point it looked like Argo would hold out however following a goal mouth scramble from a corner Westchester made equailised.

After that both sides pushed for a winner and late on a through ball led to Michael rounding the goal keeper and scoring the winner.

Argo held on for the last few minutes and although not our best performance of the season gained another three points.