First Team
Kicker first team played against a common rival, Polonia, who no matter what their standing on the table will always bring their A game. The game started off on the right foot, with and early goal by FX Thiolliere who found himself in acres of space down the left wing and put it in the back of the net from 15 yards out. We continued to have chances to increase the score line but could not put the ball on target. Kickers continued to control the ball but were having difficulty covering spaces on the transition, it was one of these opportunities which allowed Polonia to tie up the game. It was a great shot from left corner of the 18, that found opposite side netting. With obvious frustration in the faces of the group, the half would end 1-1. Second half was much of the same, possession by the kickers with a few slip ups that would eventually cost us. Polonia would capitalize with another screamer from 19 yards out after a give away led to a corner kick which during the rebound found the same player to make it 2-1. A similar scenario ensued 10 minutes before the final whistle, this time Ryan V made a great save but the rebound was put away by their number 8. It was with 5 minutes left that Trev Benson found himself alone on the right wing and with a great one time finish found side netting and gave us hope to get at least a point. But it was too little too late and as much as we pushed up and kept getting into their box, we could not capitalize. It was a good game, against a good team that I foresee possibly seeing in playoffs; if we get there. We remain 3 points ahead of 2 teams; one of those Polonia, for the final playoff spot. Next week we look to bounce back against a new team, Kelmendi.
Second Team
Reserves put 6 past a hapless Polonia team. After a tight affair in the first half that featured a goal from a cross by Lukas Seebacher being finished Danny Challita and a nifty finish by Gio off of a cheeky through ball by Agus, the floodgates opened in the second half after Dennis Kachintsev won a penalty that Almir dispatched expertly. Following goals were scored by Tommy Herlihy (asst: Antonio Ruiz), Lukas (asst: Zander Pease), Gio (asst: Lukas). The Kickers roster now lead all divisions in goals scored.
The reserve team will face a test made of sterner stuff next weekend when facing second place Kelmendi in a battle that will decide who will go into the winter break in first place.
Over-30 Premier
On paper, this was a game the Kickers should have dominated. We have been on a 5 game win streak (no goals in 4 of those games). Meanwhile the Celtic Bhoys have been struggling of late, having only won 2 games to this point in the season. But today would be all Celtic as the Kickers struggled to get anything going the entire game. It was 2-nothing at half-time, as the Kickers made two mistakes in the defensive third that made it easy for Celtic to score. The second half was no better as Celtic would take a 5-nil lead into the 80th minute before the Kickers would get on the board. Mark Bau's cross in the 81st minute to Ardian was the only score for the Kickers. Khouri had 2 other chances in the second half, one that went wide of the post and one the keeper went down to the ground to make a nice save.
At the start of this game, we had a chance to take the top spot in the division with a victory. But given the nature of how tight things are at the top, after this loss, we now find ourselves in 4th place just behind the Pancyprian Freedoms with Hoboken breathing down our necks.
Over-40 Legends
Much like the Premier team, this was a game that Kickers should have dominated on paper. The Astoria United SC had given up the second highest number of goals in the entire CSL, and Kickers were hoping to increase its goal-difference significantly. But after the distraction of Scotti engaging in an argument with high school kids in the prior game that was running over time, Kickers started the game very poorly, and saw the nightmare scenario of the single Astoria striker speeding past a surprised and two steps behind Jef to slot past Kevin in goal. Kickers continued playing in a discombobulated manner while Astoria United parked their bus effectively. Switching Kevin out of goal in the second half, and to an aggressive 3-4-3 formation, Kickers finally started getting traction in its attacks, resulting in the 60th minute equalizer by Kevin. AJ's forays on the left wing were becoming more and more dangerous and after he was hacked down for the third time, the referee conceded to give a penalty, well converted by Wale. Kevin would provide the assist for Jake's first goal for the club with the last kick of the game to seal the 3-1 victory / escape.