First Team
The first team battled hard against an organized NY Shamrock club and nearly came away with a draw, but a roster disparity and some questionable officiating ensured the Kickers would be handed a frustrating 2-1 loss instead. It was the Kickers who got on the board first, when a booming punt from GK Bernie Sheary skipped over the heads of the Shamrock defense and was headed over the goalie by Brian Morris. The Kickers would take the 1-0 lead into the second half, despite defending most of the game. Later in the second half, the referee awarded an indirect free kick after a deflected ball was ruled to be an intentional back pass, which Shamrock converted to tie the game at one. Shamrock would nab another goal from a set piece when a corner kick was headed back across the goal toward another attacker who nodded the ball into the net. The game could have ended 3-1, but GK Bernie Sheary made an amazing save on a penalty shot, unjustly awarded after a 50/50 collision in the air. The Kickers first team compete in the first round of the State Cup next weekend.
Second Team
The Reserves struggled to connect through the midfield on the wet pitch as it rained heavily in the first half. Managed to stay sound defensively until around the 35th minute, where we lost the ball at midfield and were subject to a counter attack. NY Shamrock outnumbered us heading into the box and Jared Hirschowitz was forced to make a tackle that resulted in a penalty. 1-0 at the half.
Within the first few minutes of the second half, NY Shamrock crossed a ball high over our keeper and made its way to the head of a trailing runner to put them up 2-0. The Reserves began to pay better as the second half progressed, stringing more passes together and producing more opportunities on goal, but the 2-0 deficit was too far away from us as we could not produce a goal. 2-0 loss on the day.
Over-30 Premier
7 minutes in and the Kickers Premier were up 3-nil on goals from Khouri Mulling (Ardian assist), Nick Bill (unassisted), Filip Loncar (unassisted). In the first half, Brooklyn managed just one shot on target, straight at GK Mike FitzGerald, and one through ball which FitzGerald also snuffed out. The defense handled the pressure and kept Brooklyn off balance. By halftime, the Kickers made it 4-nil on Khouri's second (assisted from Marco).
The Kickers took their foot off the pedal after a goal from Adrian and allowed Brooklyn to find space inside the penalty area where they nicked one off the post, bringing the score to 5-1. Nick Bill would restore the five goal lead with another assist from Marco., and that's the way it ended.
Kickers O-30 Legends
The Kickers Legends got off to a shaky start vs. Doxa as their speed and apparent youth in their attack denied Legends their normal calm and possession in the first 10 minutes. But Kevin, Jesse, Dave and DG showed they were up to the task of containing the Doxa threat. John opened the scoring around 20 minutes, and Yadh came on to assist Gilad with a settling second goal. In the second half, after taking a breather, Joe came back on to stun the Doxa chattering sideline with a solo slaloming effort into the box. The Kickers still had to endure a few scares, but Fitz showed safe hands, and with the game secured. Later, the Kicker Legends played some pretty team football, missing several chances, until DJ showed his true winger pedigree by streaking down the left flank, hitting a low cross for Gilad to thump home for his second goal, the Legend’s 4th of the night.