The firsts came up against a strong, speedy and hard working Manhattan Kickers team, who proved to be quite a handful in the first 25 minutes. But as their energy level eventually dropped we grabbed hold of the game and started to find space for our passing game. After carving out a couple of half chances, we finally got the breakthrough close to the half time break. Conor sprayed out an excellent pass behind the defense to Chris Brown on the right wing. He took a great first touch and squared the ball to an unmarked Kevin Lue, who gratefully passed the ball into the empty net. We came out in the second period and were given an immediate boost as their impressive goalkeeper suffered a groin injury and had to be replaced by their rather less impressive reserve keeper. And it wasn't long before we increased our lead. This time it was a sumptuous set piece goal straight off the training ground... that is, if we ever practiced set-plays! Elie chipped the free kick at the edge of the area to Conor who had run behind the defensive wall and looped a header over the on-rushing keeper. Lovely! But what happened minutes later was not so lovely. Ben went to take a drop kick and inadvertently hit it off Pat, with the ball running to their grateful striker who finished with ease. The Kickers had been given a boost and pushed for an equalizer. But to our credit we didn't let the mishap get us down and pushed to reclaim our two goal cushion. And with about 20 minutes to go it came.... again from our captain and man-of-the-match, Conor O'Donoghue. He received the ball at the edge of the area, turned his man and fired a shot that evaded the keeper at the near post. What happened in the last 15 minutes was amazing. First, on a break away, Kwesi was taken down in the area by the keeper, who after some deliberation was shown a red card. Conor dispatched the penalty against the stand-in keeper to claim his first hat-trick for the club. Amos came on for the somewhat shaken Kwesi, and in the remaining 10 minutes against a tired and demoralized 10 men, was put through on goal three times to score what must be one of the fastest hat-tricks in CSL history. Congratulations to the team on an excellent game and result: 7-1!

Team: Ben, Pat, Elie, Ethan, Josh, Danny, Conor, Mark, Chris Brown, Kevin, Kwesi - Subs: Andy, Chris Burnett, Amos (all used)