Sunday, May 17, 2009

Barnstonworth Rovers vs. Gotham Argo

s u n d a y * m a y . 1 7 * 2 0 0 9
Barnstonworth Rovers 2 - 1 Gotham Argo
Randall's Island field #75
time: 3:45pm

----- match report by Gaspar Epstein

On a chilly Sunday afternoon, a mixed squad comprised of both Gotham Argo players and their Argo Silver kin came out to Ward’s Island to take on a tough Barnstonworth Rovers team. The Argonauts had their work cut out for them from the get-go due to a lack of subs.

The Rovers took charge of the game early by surprising the Argonauts with a fairly well-organized attack. This being said, Argo’s backline of Pete Hahn (left back), James Whiteley (sweeper), Luciano Belizan (stopper), and Jon Furie (right back) stood their ground and turned away each Rover attack.

Argo’s midfielders (Tim Olson, Momo Diop, Jim Beck, and Kevin Gordon) took a few minutes to get their rhythm going as they had to focus primarily on their defensive duties throughout the first 10 minutes of the game. Nevertheless, they soon got some nice passes off to one another and managed to feed strikers Jeremy “Schroeder” Newton and Gaspar Epstein on several occasions. Despite the fact that the Rovers controlled the ball throughout the majority of the first half, none of their shots were able to get past Argo’s monster keeper, Elliot Gilmore.

First blood would be drawn by the Argonauts when Kevin carried the ball down the right flank and threaded a beautiful cross right inside the 18 to Jim, who slotted the ball into the lower left corner of the net. Times were good as the Argonauts closed out the half with a surprising 1-0 lead.

That lead, however, was to evaporate within the first 10 minutes of the second half when the Rovers scored on what was a chaotic scene in the box, which was created shortly after a free kick outside of the box.

Later in the half, Elliot made an absolutely breath-taking, diving save up into the upper right corner of the net to keep the score even. Unfortunately, the Rovers were able to take advantage of a tiring Argo squad and continued to their attack. Their persistence was rewarded when they netted a second goal roughly half way through the second half.

The Argonauts, however, were not to be denied so easily. In the remaining minutes of the game, James was sent up to strike alongside Jeremy. This dangerous tandem created several scoring chances and induced many corner kicks that helped give the Argonauts a fighting chance. Right towards the end of the game, James let off a blistering shot, which the Rover’s goalie somehow managed to block. Alas, the game ended in a 2-1 defeat, but the Argonauts came off the field with their head’s held high!

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