In-form striker Austin Friel notched a hat-trick as Lansdowne Bhoys saw off New York Albanians 3-1 at Brooklyn's Aviator Sports Complex last Sunday to earn a share of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League [CSL] First Division [East] leadership.
The Derryman upped his goal tally to eight in five matches for the Bhoys [3-1-1, 10] who've been on a tear in the CSL since dropping their season opener 3-2 to New York Athletic Club [NYAC] on September 11.
With undefeated NYAC [3-0-1, 10] tying United FC 2-2, Lansdowne joined the six-time champs on the ten-point mark.
DERBY WINNERS
Lansdowne's equally hot Metro Div. II side improved to 4-1-1 [12] atop the standings with a 3-0 romp over Astoria Gaels on Randalls Island.
Anthony O'Brien, Nelly Maguire and Darren McDermott scored.
ROCKS REBOUND
Shamrock's Over-30s rebounded from their first league defeat in three seasons to hold off Tesoro Kings 3-2 in their Div. One clash at Red Hook.
They got an early scare, though, falling behind to Tanzanian Albert Ndoti's second minute goal.
However, with most of their big guns back, the Rocks didn't take long to respond. Onder Koksol [9th] equalized from a Karl Hughes assist and on the hour Brian O'Connor, last season's top scorer, opened his 2011-2012 account on his debut, thanks to Mike Bishop.
O'Connor later served as provider for Hughes' eventual winner [65th] that sealed it even after Ndoti [85th] had completed his brace.
Hughes and Bishop in midfield shared Man of the Match honors from coach Paddy McCarry, with defensive anchor Eugene Reynolds and new goalie Timmy Lynch getting special mention.
"Great, great performance," McCarry hailed his lads. "I thought this was the best team we've played all year. They were better than Dinamo."
Dinamo handed McCarry his first ever defeat in the league, 4-2, the previous week.
Dinamo beat New York Greek-American/Atlas at the weekend to remain joint leaders with Shamrock on the log. Both teams have 10 points, although Dinamo have a game in hand.
In Division Two, Shamrock's first team crashed 3-1 to Moroccan Astoria Lions in Division Two. It was their fifth loss in a row.
O'DRISCOLL CONSOLATION
Elsewhere in Over-30 action, Barry O'Driscoll's notched a penalty in Barnstonworth Old Boys' 2-1 defeat by Pele SC.
