Burim Ljuja starred in Shamrock's 5-1 pasting of Manhattan Celtic on Randalls Island last Sunday that left the Rocks on the cusp of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League's Over-30 Div. II title.
The Albanian notched a hat trick [10th, 35th, 75th], with two of the goals assisted by Karl Hughes, to stretch first place Shamrock's unbeaten record this season to 10-0-4 [34].
Hughes was on target himself on the hour and completed a hat trick of assists by setting up top scorer Brian O'Connor for his eleventh goal of the campaign [70th].
Michael Thomas [55th] got Celtic's face-saver.
"It's ours to lose," coach Paddy McCarry said of the Over-30 title. "We only need four points from our last two games. I'm very happy."
Those two games will be against SC Gjoa this Sunday [10 am, Randalls Island field 75] and Hoboken FC at the same ground and time on May 15.
Individual honors on a morning when 17 players showed up for the 8 am kick-off, earning kudos from McCarry for their "amazing commitment," went to Ljuja [Man of the Match], Hughes and Mike Bishop who anchored the defense.
MIXED FORTUNES
At McClancy High School, Miah Lochnane and Ciaran Maloney scripted a 2-1 victory for Shamrock's reserves over visiting Hoboken FC in a Second Division fixture.
"Great performance by Braden Ruddy in middle of the park and by Matt Bagley at center half," noted Brian Wolohan.
MACH THREE
But not such a great performance by the Rocks' first team which crashed 4-0 to their New Jersey opponents.
Michael Mach was the Hoboken hero with a hat trick [18th, 29th, 77th]. Charlie Cox [87th] sealed it.
TOUCH OF GREEN
Robbie "The Touch" Green and Brendan Hansbury connected for the Bhoys seconds in a 3-2 loss to Rovers' reserves.
Corey Dempsey [two] and Zach Chandis earned full points for the hosts.
HUNTER FACTORA
Conor Hunter-inspired 4-2 romp over Barnstonworth Rovers at Icahn Stadium gave Lansdowne Bhoys a much needed boost in their relegation battle in the top flight.
Hunter's late brace [70th, 80th] was the difference in a hard fought affair. Rory McCrae [20th] and Swede Johannes Grahn [55th] were also on target.
Scott Waddell and Andy Abramovits were the Rovers scorers.
"Massive," coach Kevin Grogan described the win by his bottom side. "We' created a good squad and they played well."
Lansdowne [3-10-1, 10] are now two points from safety in Division One [West].
