By Kevin Fink

The Manhattan Celtics appeared slightly intimidating in their “official looking” green and white striped jerseys that resemble those of the actual Celtics to a tee. And if I could remember how CPR has done against this team in the past, I would include some trivial statistics to emphasize what a great win this was for CPR. But we all know that I am rarely sober enough days in a row to recall last week’s game, let alone a game against this team that took place an entire season ago. But luckily my lack of memory and knowledge of Manhattan Celtic trivia is completely irrelevant to this match report. And that’s because this game and this match report have very little to do with the opponent and everything to do with the team that CPR can be and was this past Sunday. After a dismal performance the previous week that, I’m sure everyone is ashamed to say, included intrateam badgering, this game exemplified what CPR is capable of doing. It was without a doubt one of the greatest team efforts I have been a part of since being with the club. So before getting into the specifics of the match, it should be noted what a fantastic effort this was from a teamwork and team support standpoint. And that’s why the opponent was irrelevant--because the game CPR played against the Manhattan Celtics could not be beat by anyone in the league. I may digress, but the foregoing needed to be pointed out before getting into the specifics of the match, because it was the best thing to come out of it.

The game started 15-20 minutes late, which was good because Fink was late with some cockamamie excuse as usual. An injured Adi established himself as the coach for the match and took initiative from the get go. Many of CPR’s regulars were not there but those that filled in stepped up and played with great heart. The first 20 minutes of the game took place largely at midfield with CPR dominating possession and creating some early opportunities. Hakan and Morse dominated the midfield with the support of the iron-curtain defense provided by Creighton at stopper and Edmunds at sweeper. Exercising his newly attained and self-proclaimed executive decision making powers, Adi substituted Fink for Ernesto at striker about 20 minutes into the first half Clearly a forward-thinking move, as Ernesto would threaten the Celtic defense time and time again throughout the second half. The first opportunity for a goal was the result of the tireless efforts in the center midfield by Hakan and Morse who were constantly supported by Creighton at the stopper position in this game. A through ball by Morse to Fink resulted in what appeared to be a one on one break away until the ref incorrectly called Fink offsides as he was on his way to goal. This would be the first of several errant offside calls made by the ref throughout the game.

Despite the offsides call, the relentless efforts of CPR paid off with a goal about 30 minutes into the match. The constant pressure of Morse in the midfield resulted in a turnover on the right side of the field about 5 yards behind the 18. Morse then played a square ball to his left to Fink who let it roll through his legs, spun 180 to his left, took a touch and then ripped a diving shot that managed to dive beneath the crossbar into the far upper ninety corner. Coach Adi said he didn’t see it and asked if Fink could do it again. And Fink with a look of “what just happened” that paralleled that of Frank The Tank after his debate in Old School just looked on and hi-fived teammates as they approached. The hi fives and feeling that this was CPR’s game did not last too long though, as CPR found itself back to even just 5 minutes later when a Celtics striker made his way through the defensive line and towards the unphaseable Resnik in goal. As he approached Resnik the striker sent a dribbler towards the far right corner of the goal that managed to pick up a bounce only possible on the rubber filled artificial surface we were playing on, which enabled the ball to bounce just past the “matrix-like” reflexes of Resnik and into the goal.

The remainder of the half is best described by the solid play of CPR’s defense. Quarterbacked by an Edmunds that has a new found speed, and strengthened by the tireless efforts of Gavin and Lars, the back line managed to stop the Celtics from threatening Mark “The Matrix” Resnik for the remainder of the half. And so the half ended in a 1 -1 draw. Unlike the week before, the discussion at half time was more structured with Adi “flexing” his coaching strength and controlling the dialogue. Most importantly, half time was spent with positive energy and motivation amongst the CPR squad that would fuel them to victory in the second half. CPR dominated the first part of the second half with Mark Dean and Luke threatening on the outside and creating opportunities on the flank. An early second half goal seemed likely as Fink received a pass and spun and played it on to Ernesto as he made a great diagonal run towards goal. But alas, his first touch was a little heavy and the keeper beat Ernesto’s second touch to the ball. As the goalie was continuously playing out his line, Ernesto just barely missed two subsequent opportunities where, in both instances, he skillfully attempted to lob the ball over the keeper only to miss just over the cross bar. With a solid defense thwarting any effort by the Celtics to challenge The Matrix, CPR continued to pressure the Celtics defense. Control of the midfield by Morse and Creighton provided a dynamic that allowed for the type of supporting play CPR has worked to achieve with some consistency. The second goal came about 20 minutes into the second half when the “not in my house” offense-stopping play of Edmunds resulted in turn over that resulted in Edmunds sending a ball down field that bounced of a Celtic player, then a CPR player and found its way down field towards the Celtics goal. Fink quickly ran the ball down and found himself in a breakaway situation where the Celtic Keeper once again came off his line to challenge the breakaway. As he approached, Fink scored the second goal of the game with a flick of the left foot that lobbed the ball over the keeper’s head and into the side of the goal.

After the second goal, CPR began to play defensively and, accordingly, allowed the Celtics more opportunities than previously allowed by CPR in the first half. But the stellar defense of the back line and the relentless hustle of Morse and Luke in the center of the field kept the Celtics at bay. Three late game chances included 2 two-on-ones with Fink and Ernesto attacking a single defender that were thwarted by two errant offside calls against Ernesto that would have undoubtedly resulted in goals. The last chance of the game came when the Celtic keeper made a lazy pass to the right defender that was intercepted by Fink. Fink, apparently with hat trick in mind, ignored a wide open Ernesto and tried to lob the ball over and around the keeper once again, only to have the ball catch the keeper’s thigh and make its way out of bounds for a corner kick. As CPR players repeatedly asked the ref how much time was left, the final whistle was blown with CPR winning 2 to 1. It was an awesome game. It was a team effort. It was a game that gave you a glimpse of how great we can really be. It was a game that gets you excited to play in the next game.

Competition: Manhattan Celtic, League Opposition

Location: Randall’s Island #75, Randall’s Island

Conditions: Sunny, low 60’s.

Fans: 1 (injured Adi Gallagher)

Result: 2-1 (1-1 at H/T)

Goals: 1-0: Fink (assist Morse),

2-1 Fink (unassisted)

Yellow Cards: Edmunds, Hamilton?

Red Card: None

Mike D’s aka No Shows: None.

Conboy’s aka Reverse Mike D’s: None

Old Man of the Match: Fink, because of his two goals. But the real Man of the Match should go to the team that played together and supported each other throughout the game, which made this win possible.

Old Man of the Bar: Fink made a long run, but Resnik outlasted all, and hung with CPR Blacks for quite a while too.

Team Bar Showing: 5 out of 13 (resnik, hamilton, edmunds, fink, teran)

Team Bar Night: 2 out of 5 Team (No new profiles this week): Mark Resnik (GK), Lars Murray (DF), Gavin Hamilton (DF), Mark Edmunds (DF), Creighton Mershon (DF), Hakon Tretvoll, Hakan Nizam, Kevin Fink, Steve Morse, Luke Gaspard, Dan Hollins, Ernesto Teran, Mark Dean Scouting Report Keeper: Pretty bad. Defense: Unimpressive Midfield: Strength of the team but very whiney and with little cohesive play. Forwards: Average with few on-goal opportunities