Luxuriating to a 9am start, the double positive was not only was it a good short field close to the walkway at Randalls Island but that the game should be finished in time to see the majority of the final EPL games that day. With the game virtually meaningless CPR Old Boyz management didn’t stress too hard over trying to get substitutes on Mother’s day, and with a couple of late cancellations it looked like plenty of playing time would be had given the single substitute.

The opposition looked like they had their own problems when not only did they have 9 to start but found out that one of their team members had left the passes at home (the recurring nightmare of CPR management, along with waking up naked in a crowded bar). The referee initially balked at starting the game, but to his credit was persuaded to see reason given the fact it was a meaningless final mid table game between two teams that just wanted to play football. A completely acceptable deadline of half time for the passes recovery allowed the teams to kick off.

Within minutes it looked like another big win was in the offing as Gallagher took a mishit from Nizam inside the penalty area and calmly stroked it inside the side netting. Unlike previous games though this time CPR were not only not able to capitalize but also not able to give themselves a chance to with some of their poorest play of the season. Albion matched their reputation as solid defensively if somewhat limited offensively, and tightening up with their 9 players gave the Old Boyz few glimpses at goal. For some reason the CPR players displayed a distinct aversion to the simple ball, preferring levels of difficulty instead. With Albion adding a couple more players to bring themselves upto the full 11 CPR’s inability to capitalize on their numerical advantage looked like it might come back to haunt them. Albion’s midfielders displayed good skill and were able to win themselves a corner which turned out to be noteworthy. With the ball pinballing around the area Walby stuck to his defensive responsibilities at the post and was able to clear a goal bound header. With the ball up in the air two aggressive CPR players combined to clear the ball away at great personal cost (Nizam = vertical forehead gash requiring 5 stitches, Beeman = concussion, broken nose, fractured jaw, bruised ribs). The referee blew his whistle which allowed the team to escort the clearly hurting players off the field.

As is dumbly usual among men, the fact that both players were able to communicate meant to the rest that they were fine. Albion befitting their genial nature were cordial enough to request that the referee grant CPR more time to figure out what to do with their wounded (Brooklyn Gunners take note, this is the classy way to behave when its JUST a Sunday league Over 30’s game!). Becker reluctantly changed from Sideline Manager to Emergency Goalie while Teesdale succumbed to the will of the majority and came back on the field to ensure the team had the full 11 to start. Although both teams were now at even strength, CPR started playing much better as they knew they’d have to play the full 45 and only had a slender lead. The defenders performed admirably with Hamilton & Teesdale always a threat bombing down the sidelines.

	The Old Boyz strikeforce in the second half didn’t exactly strike fear into the opposition on the counter attack

To add injury to more injury, Cornejo pulled a groin to reduce his effectiveness and limit the counter attack with the equally slow footed Venkataraman accompanying him up front. However both were able to hold up the ball and pass it around to the charging midfielders, and with Albion needing to push up for the equalizer holes started to develop at the back. Teesdale proved to be a real menace on the left and came close to providing the final deadly ball several times. On one such occasion Morse thundered a header against the crossbar only for the rebound to fall out of the despairing reach of any CPR player.

With fatigue setting in it was an uncharacteristic CPR team continually pleading for the referee to give them a time check. Albion had plenty of possession but were proving somewhat impotent up front, with the exception of one left footed strike comfortably saved by Becker and an excellent free kick that was tipped over. At last CPR’s begging for time was fortuitously granted as the referee called the game clearly short, taking into account the start and half time delays. Albion displayed full sportsmanship in shaking most players hand although with full disclosure one wonders how much grief CPR would have given the referee if they were down a goal and the game was cut short (not that this has ever happened of course). A good way to end the season on a win, and hopefully after ending the season with the same number of points as last year CPR can build a foundation to greater things.

	The crack was heard across the field, but Nizam & Beeman shook off their mere flesh wounds for an entire half before hitting the hospital

Competition: Albion

Location: Randalls Island #82, Randalls Island

Conditions: Brisk morning, perfect footballing weather

Fans: 0

Result: 1-0 (1-0 at H/T)

Goals: 1-0: Gallagher Assist Nizam

Yellow Cards: None

Red Card: None

Mike D’s aka No Shows: None

Conboy’s aka Reverse Mike D’s: None

”Mr. Glass” Fragility/Old Man Injury Award: Hard to classify this as a Mr. Glass award given the violence of the collision inside the penalty box, but injuries are injuries. Nizam suffered a vertical cut on his forehead that required 5 stitches while poor Jake Beeman came off much the worse for wear, suffering a concussion, broken nose, fractured jaw and bruised ribs to boot. Brutal.

Old Man of the Match: Teesdale would have been a strong contender but was nice enough to play Florence Nightingale for Nizam/Beeman and thus didn’t make it to the pub. Despite his well known fragility, Walby ended up with the vote given his goal line clearance in a 1-0 game and playing almost the full 90 (80?) minutes.

Old Man of the Bar: A pretty quiet day at the pub, no contenders.

Team Bar Showing: 7 out of 13 (54%)

Team Bar Night: 1 ½ out of 5 – A relatively quiet day especially given that it was the last game of the season.

Team (No new profiles this week): Mark Becker (GK), Mark Resnik (GK/DF) , Steve Teesdale (DF), Marc Walby (DF), Gavin Hamilton (DF), Mark “Gecko” Dean (DF), Jake Beeman (DF), Steve Morse, Creighton Mershon, Manohar Venkataraman , Hakan Nizam, Adi Gallagher, Jose Cornejo