CPR Reserves 9-0 Glen Cove FC

Once again the reserves were faced with lesser opposition but showed the necessary focus if they want to clench silverware from this cup campaign.

On a rather soggy Sunday afternoon at the Met Oval, Los Blancos kicked off with a spring in their step. The Rangers were quickly off and running when Jules was slipped in behind the Glen Cove defense. The Frenchman signaled what was to be a quite clinical dispatch of the opponents as he opened the scoring with a side foot to the far post from close range. Jules went on to demonstrate another bit of magic when after Danny Riso rolled the ball into the Frenchman just inside the eighteen he dummied the ball for himself, left his marker in the dust and squared the ball across the face of the goal for Shane to one touch into the back of the net. Midway through the first half, CPR made a veritable line change of four players, and pleasingly, continued to march on without missing a step — a testament to the overall cohesion and collective play the side have committed to. Chris Brown fell into the tempo without any hesitation, connecting passes and making intelligent runs as well as keeping a clean house in the back. Later on after easily dusting his marker, Alex looked up from the left flank and drove a perfectly flighted ball to the back post which an unfortunate Glen Cove defender glanced into the back of his own net.  Although the visitors were clearly not up for the match, nothing can be taken away from the rapid pace of Shane and Alex down the flanks, the strength and smoothness of Muzz and Amos, as well as the singular solidarity of the CPR back line. Indeed by half time, the Rangers were cruising to the tune of a 4-0 lead.

The second half served up more of the same. After some shuffling of the personnel, CPR continued to sweep the ball from side to side, maintaining possession and demonstrating patience when launching attacks. Late in the second half, CPR gave keeper Ben Roberts free reign while D.C. took over between the sticks. Ben showed his skill with the ball at his feet as he came close to claiming his own scalp on several occasions. Danny Riso completed the rout via an individual effort. The twinkle toed playmaker skipped past the Glen Cove defense and punished the lackluster side with a fierce strike into the upper corner from the top of the box. A good sign of things to come, the diminutive #10 is beginning to show the great scale of his game with the Rangers. With 10 minutes to go the merciful referee called the game early, sparing the visitors additional torture.

Special mention to the CPR fortress, a.k.a. our back four. Dan Cohen and Joakim continue to provide the foundation for our possession and the vision for our attacks, while Jason and Rob have given CPR the brilliant balance of composure when we have the ball at our feet combined with pace and force when we defend. No doubt, the Rangers stable defense is integral to our on-going success.

Starting line up: Ben R (K), Dan C (RB), Jason (CB), Rob (CB), Joakim (LB), Shane (RW), Toph (CDM), Dan Riso (AM), Jules (LW), Muzza (F), Amos (F)
Subs (all used): Alex (LW), Brettski (CDM), Andres (AM), Chris B. (RB)

Goals: Shane (2), Alex (2), Famous Amos (1), the Muzza (1), Dan R (1),  Jules (1), O.G. (1)