Lansdowne’s Konstantin Moellering (left) and Daryl Kavanagh enjoying the Manning State Cup win.
By Jay Mwamba
Over a three-day period last week, Lansdowne Yonkers scored emphatic wins over Cedar Stars Academy [2-0] and NYAC [3-0] to reach the Werner Fricker Cup’s Eastern NY final, and the last four of the Manning State Cup, respectively.
Fricker Cup national holders, the rampant Bhoys meet Pancyprian Freedoms in the NY final 8 p.m. tonight [Wednesday] at James L. Fleming Field in Yonkers.
Coach Jim Kelly’s lads, who edged Cedar Stars 2-1 in last year’s Fricker NY final, continued their dominance over former Lansdowne gaffer Austin Friel’s side on Wednesday last week.
Young Dubliner Dean Dillon -- the Bhoys’ sensational new find – went close with a trademark chip from 25 yards before the visitors went ahead on a frigid night at the Hudson Sports Complex in upstate Warwick.
Steady pressure on the left flank resulted in a wonderful Nicolai Andersen run. The play set up David Ardverson for a shot that was deflected into the net.
Cedar fought back before the interval. They were denied an equalizer when former Lansdowne full back Jean Voltaire’s blistering header was superbly tipped over by goalie Kabo.
“In the second half, the Bhoys started stronger and Coach Kelly introduced, Jason Gaylord, Shaquille Saunchez and Chris Katona,” said Lansdowne president William McGrory. “This had an immediate effect, and after a few narrow offside calls it was Yannick Diese who put the Bhoys two-up with a stellar run and well-timed shot.”
Both Katonah, making his debut for the Bhoys against his former side, and Sanchez continued to cause problems for Cedar Stars along with the other subs, Pat McCann and Kwesi Mills-Odoi.
“Sean Kelly and Johan Mauritzon were solid at the back as were Gaylord and Craig Purcell,” noted McGrory. “Konstantin Moellering and Daryl Kavanagh both did well and Coach Kelly thanked the entire squad for their effort.”
Victory in last season’s Fricker Eastern NY final propelled Lansdowne to glory in the competition’s USASA Region 1 and national finals
In the latter, the Yonkers Irish, playing with 10-men, downed Houston club ASC New Stars 2-0 to claim their second national Werner Fricker Cup. Their first was in 2017.
MANNING CUP
Three days after returning to the 2019 Fricker Cup Eastern NY final, the Bhoys saw off New York Athletic Cup 3-0 at Fleming Field to book a fourth consecutive Manning Cup semi-final appearance. The Bhoys lifted the State trophy in 2017 and 2018 before Pancyprian denied them a third-straight victory last summer.
Shaquille Saunchez crossed for the prolific Dean Dillon [25th] to strike from 10 yards, his 16th goal in all competitions this campaign.
“The second half was a battle [with] Lansdowne edging the possession and when needed, keeper Kabo came up big again,” said McGrory, giving props to center-backs Mauritzon and Humbert Ferrera
Coach Kelly sent on Daryl Kavanagh in the 70th minutes and his impact was immediate. He won a 25-yard free kick from which McCann finished clinically, and then added an insurance goal himself.
“Never an easy game against NYAC, but if you could have written an outcome for the Bhoys this was it,” observed McGrory. “Coach Kelly rotated his squad after all the recent games and yet again no matter who plays it's a 100% effort.”
Lansdowne Yonkers hammered NY Serbia 7-0 in the previous round last month.
ROCKS ADVANCE
Barna Mako, Mark Roche, Dylan McCabe and Paul McVeigh were on target in a 4-1 penalty victory over Zum Schneider that put the Shamrocks in the last eight of the Manning Cup.
The tie had finished goalless on Randalls Island.
Up next for the Rocks is a delayed quarterfinal date with the Long Island Soccer Football League’s Port Jefferson. The winners clash with Lansdowne in the semis.
D’ARPINO CUP
Lansdowne’s reserves also needed penalties to squeeze past Sporting SC 5-4 in a D’Arpino Cup Round of 16 tie at Tibbetts Brook Park.
Louis Morales had the only goal in the 1-1 regulation time draw.
The seconds had cruised past Polish side Stal Mielec 3-0 in the first round.
Awaiting the Bhoys in the quarterfinals are the NYAC reserves vs. NY Greek Americans ‘B’ winne
The Shamrocks seconds are already through to the last eight.
IRISH DERBY
It’s the Shamrocks 1960 vs. New York Irish SC in the Strumpf Cup quarterfinals.
This after a Hughie McGowan penalty earned the Rocks a 1-0 decision over Panatha USA on Randalls Island.
NY Irish, meanwhile, had a 3-0 forfeit win over DeSportiva Sociedad.
MARTH CUP
While NY Irish Over-30s slumped 2-0 to Pancyprian in the Marth Cup Round of 16, former cup holders the Shamrocks thrashed Megas Alexandros 5-0 to storm into the quarters.
Big Mike Dineen, Sean John [two], Sean Riley and Mark Keane connected. Riley also had an assist
And in the Vargas Cup for Over-40 teams, the Shamrocks Legends advanced to the Round of 16 without kicking a ball. They were awarded a 3-0 forfeit win over SC Gjoa.
