The three-month winter break had no effect on North America’s most in-form side as Irish juggernaut Lansdowne Yonkers spanked KidSuper Samba 2-0 at Tibbets Brook Park last Saturday on the resumption of the EPSL season.
The result maintained the Bhoys’ remarkable 16-unbeaten run in all competitions since fall 2020 during which they’ve won nine trophies, including two national cups.
It was a quick-paced game with Lansdowne dominating possession, but it would take 50 minutes for them to break down the Samba boys.
That’s when Shamir Mullings shot home from 10 yards off a Julio Espinal Rapalo through ball.
Paul McVeigh made it 2-0 shortly afterwards with a bit of individual magic. He beat one man and the goalkeeper before connecting from close range.
With the win, the U.S. champs [7-0-3] moved within three points of EPSL Metropolitan Conference leaders Doxa FC after 10 games apiece.
“Lansdowne have an ultra-busy March with the Manning/Fricker final [this] Sunday, followed by the Eastern NY Amateur final on March 16,” said club president William McGrory. “Then there’s Pancyprians on the 19th before we travel to Ocean city, New Jersey, to compete in the Lamar Hunt Open Cup.”
SHAMROCKS
In the CSL, Kurt Cameron and Joey Aronovsky tallied for First Division champs Shamrocks who edged Manhattan Kickers 2-1 on Randalls Island.
The Rocks [7-2-3, 23] are fourth on the log, six points behind leaders Richmond County [9-2-1, 29].
Shamrocks’ second unit, meanwhile, stayed atop the Div. II standings with a 1-0 decision in the curtain raiser. Mark Roche scored for the title holders [11-1, 33], who lead second place Zum Schneider II by four points.
Elsewhere, Jeff Farrell notched a brace in the Shamrocks Legends’ 4-2 loss to NYPD FC Veterans in the CSL’s Over-40 Division.
