Originally published at CSL by Michael Battista / @MichaelB_96
The top of the table shifted and streaks continued last week in the CSL. Hoboken FC and New York Shamrock combined for 10 goals in their seperate matches. Meanwhile, Zum Schneider II and Richmond County both continued their impressive November runs, making distance in the middle of the table and possibly setting up runs into the Top Four. With two previous scheduled matches postponed, every team heads into the Thanksgiving break knowing where they stand heading into the last month of the fall season.
Read more below in the Week 8 CSL recap:
Wednesday, November 18
Hoboken FC 1912 vs Beyond FC (6-4)
No goal scorer information provided by Beyond FC
Hoboken FC 1912 has a lot to be thankful for this season and one of those things is Joseph Braun. Coming into Week 8 with only one goal he was able to quadruple that number against Beyond FC, scoring four times in his team’s 6-4 win at home.
The two teams that call Laurel Hill Park home put on offensive displays while on shortrest. Hoboken however was able to outmaneuver Beyond on more occasions and control the game for the most part. The visitors have struggled on defense this season, now allowing 24 goals through eight games (the most in Division 1) and this match is one-fourth of that total.
Hoboken head coach Steve Korfiatis knows his team can play better than it did on Wednesday night.
“Although we’re happy with the result and 3 points, conceding four goals in one match is frustrating especially after the team has worked so hard in previous matches to be mindful of defensive details and mistakes,” Korfiatis said in an email. “We certainly did not do our previous defensive displays justice and the team as a whole just did not work hard enough off the ball. We want to take the few positives from the performance and move on.”
Braun’s first goal, assisted by James Reed, was followed up by a Kevin Halliday strike to make it 2-2 after 15 minutes with the latter goal assisted by Kelvin Brito. Beyond early offensive surprise against the table leaders did not translate into the rest of the first 45 minutes. Braun was able to score two more times before half, with Brito and Justinian Michaels assisting on one each, to make it 4-2.
In the second half, Hoboken kept its momentum going and knocked in two more scores early on. Reserve team callup Roni Tcherniavski, the youngest player on the squad whose related to teammate Timor Tcherniavski, scored his first goal for the first team when Theodore “Teddy” Sisco set him up for a strike into the top left corner.
“He has deserved his chance to get more minutes with the first team and justified his inclusion on the roster,” Korfiatis said.
After Braun scored his fourth goal, once again assisted by James Reed, Beyond were able to once again find that spark and clawed two past Hoboken late. Korfiatis knows his team can’t allow lapses in concentration late especially with leads and will be working on this before the team’s next match.
With a holiday break coming up, Hoboken will have extra time to prepare for it’s December 6 match against (now) third place Manhattan Celtic. Beyond will host Real Ole FC the same day in a battle of the bottom table.
Manhattan Kickers vs Zum Schneider FC 03 II (2-3)
No goal scorer information provided by Manhattan Kickers
Zum Schneider FC 03 II scored three goals for the second time in as many games on route to a win over Manhattan Kickers, 3-2.
The Kickers were only able to field a team of eight players allowing Zum to control the pace and possession. However the home side was able to counter attack often and notched in two goals to keep the match close.
Youssef Afif scored twice for the winners and Stephen Ojo scored his third goal of the season to seal the win. Head coach Ryan Horch said after the match that while three points are good his team’s overall play left much to be desired.
“Wednesday night games are always challenging,” he said in an email. “I am happy with the result but displeased with the performance. We hope to regroup and regain form next match.”
Zum will have a chance to make it three wins in-a-row on Sunday, Dec. 6 when it hosts Kelmendi FC NY. The Kickers will hope to use the extra time off to regroup and rest. They also play on the 6th, visiting New York Greek Americans II at Metropolitan Oval.
Thursday, November 19
Richmond County FC vs New York Greek Americans II (3-2)
No goal scorer information provided by New York Greek Americans II
Richmond County FC wrapped up November with a 3-2 win over New York Greek Americans II in Thursday’s only match. The home team improved to 3-2-3 on the season and finished the month undefeated through three games.
Peter Zima scored the winning goal for his third of the season, in as many weeks, moving him into first place for the most scored by a Richmond player. Logan Tassin and Dominik Urban both scored their first goals of the year as well. In addition, Zima, Urban, and Philip Szumanski all earned assists as well.
After starting the month winless, Richmond now sits tied in points with Stal Mielec NY for fourth place (with the latter only playing six games). On Dec. 6, the two teams will meet at 8 PM for what could be one of the more important games this season. Greeks II meanwhile will host Manhattan Kickers the same day.
Sunday, November 22
New York Shamrock SC vs Manhattan Celtic (4-3)
The biggest match of Week 8 played out at high noon on Sunday. New York Shamrock SC made a statement against Manhattan Celtic winning 4-3 and vaulting into second place in the league table.
“Lads fought for everything. We prepared for Shamrock and they scored exactly how (we thought),” Manhattan head coach Matthew Kane said afterwards in an email. “They were so good at it we struggled to stop (them) despite being prepped.”
Celtic jumped up first in the 26th minute when Dan Korman’s corner kick found Marco Charnas in the box. One of the CSL’s leading scorers tapped in his seventh of the year to put Celtic up 1-0. Not long after though, a Shamrock free kick allowed César Buitrago to equalize off a redirect past Manhattan’s keeper.
What followed between the 30 and 40 minute mark was great scoring from both teams and suspect defense from both sides. Raphael Carvalho kicked it off in the 31st with a fantastic redirect off a right side cross in the penalty area to put The Rocks up 2-1. A few minutes later James Hudson’s run up the right side looked as though it would need a cross into the box for any scoring chance. However the spry winger knocked in a great shot from a difficult angle and put the Rocks up 3-1.
Not to be dissuaded, Celtic responded with a fantastic goal from Cesar Serna in the 37th minute. Charnas’ through ball in the middle of the field found a running Serna, who launched a shot from the top of the box and tucked it into the lower right corner.
Early in the second half, Celtic were able to regain control and tied the match back up once again thanks to another Korman set piece. His free kick found the head of Jack Barrat, who sent the ball barely over the line for his first goal in his debut match. A draw seemed likely at this point as both team’s chances began to wear down.
However, the Rocks had one more fantastic shot within them. In the 66th minute, a long cross into the box from the right side of the field once again found Carvalho who headed the shot past Manhattan’s jumping keeper.
Shamrock will visit Polonia SC after the Holiday break on Dec. 5 as they look to keep momentum going. Celtic will host first place Hoboken FC 1912 the next day and try to play spoiler against a still-undefeated team.
“After 8 games to have 1 loss and 1 draw,” Kane said. “We are aware of how long this season will be. Lads are buzzing for (the) break and we can’t wait to face Hoboken.”
Full match broadcast: https://www.facebook.com/CosmoLeague/videos/433626454466705
Match highlights (all goals): https://www.facebook.com/CosmoLeague/posts/1569904306542464
