On a cold but clear Sunday morning, the White Reserves encountered a determined Manhattan Kickers side in the next round of the D'Arpino Cup.  Even before kickoff, things were starting to heat up on the sidelines as the managers from each side contested whether or not the Kickers could play a handful of their First team guys in the Reserve team cup.  More problematic was the sudden and mysterious disappearance of Jason Wagner, CPR's starting center back.  Luckily, the scheduling gods were smiling on CPR as Nick Rudd had been called back to New York for some meetings and was therefore available to step in - allowing CPR to get the game started without missing a beat.

The first half was tightly contested with CPR determined to try and knock the ball around with their usual fluency.  However, the Kickers hadn't advanced this far into the Cup by accident and they did a good job of  pressuring the ball all over the park.  The Kickers main threat was their burly center forward who was giving Nick and Rob a run for their money.  But outside of that, the Kickers posed little threat - which is why it came as a surprise when one move down the left which led to a fairly innocuous cross turned into a PK in the Kickers favor.  What exactly happened remains a question - as Rob appeared to beat his man to the ball, was pushed over (sending both players to the ground) and then was called for the foul.  The general sense of disbelief was clear among the CPR players.  But with a keeper of Ben's quality, you always feel like you still have a chance of keeping a clean sheet, regardless of circumstances.  And sure enough, a good read on the Kickers penalty taker led to a great save.  Unfortunately, an unlucky bounce popped the ball back to the Kickers player who was much more clinical on the rebound.  Going a goal down did nothing to discourage CPR and within moments of the restart, CPR was all over the Kickers and if it weren't from some fine goalkeeping from the opposing goalie, CPR would have not only equalized but gone ahead quickly.  His best save came when he was forced into a full stretch to keep out a Dan Cohen piledriver from just outside the area.  But CPR were relentless and finally found the equalizer as the ball was worked down the left and into the stride of Shane Lennon who hit a low hard drive at the far post.  The keeper did well to get down and get a hand to it but there was no stopping the locomotive that is Amos Zereoue, who rammed the rebound into the back of the net from 2 yards out.  All squared up going into halftime.

The second half saw more of the same from CPR, with some very good ball movement and a back line which didn't allow the Kickers the slightest whiff of goal.  But, once again the Kickers keeper stood tall and was able to keep CPR in check.  Whether it was punching clear some fine crosses from Brett, or tipping Andres' rasping 30 yard drive onto the bar, CPR just could not find a way past their keeper.  And, being a cup game, that didn't portend well as with a tie score, the game would head immediately to PK's.  With the the Kickers goalie playing so well, Joe decided that CPR would go for the win and with ten minutes left, pulled Nick Rudd from the back and threw on another forward.  But for all their effort, CPR couldn't find a way through.  When the final whistle blew, CPR gathered around and hands went up to volunteer to be penalty takers.   After some fine PK's from Ben Roberts, Brett and Shane and with the Kickers having missed twice by hitting the crossbar, Amos stepped up and finished what he began by dispatching his shot to the lower left corner.  Game, set and match: CPR.

You can read more about the win against the Kickers in next weeks New York Daily News.  Wayne Coffee is doing a piece on Amos and was there to watch and take notes.  There was also a photographer there taking pictures which will hopefully make their way into the paper.

**This weeks report brought to you by Joe Sullivan