Kisling's Tavern
HANGOVER UNITED
Soccer Club
Baltimore, Maryland USA - Est. 1995

HANGOVER UNITED - MATCH REPORT 2003 DiMARCO CUP 1st ROUND

HANGOVER TAKE MIDDLE RIVER 3-0 IN DiMARCO 1st RD
By David Jones for soccernet.com
18 NOVEMBER 2003

BALTIMORE, MD – Hangover United earned their first official DiMarco Cup victory last evening at Patterson Park’s Ortmann Field with a 3-0 win over Middler River FC. This was the second time these two sides faced each other in the last three days, after their final week shoot out last Sunday. Hangover started off strong but just could not get the final pass through to create any good scoring opportunities. After 15 minutes of good solid play, the tide turned a bit with Hangover losing possession in midfield and then having to deal with the MRFC tactic of the immediate through ball to the corner. It stretched the field and lead to longer passes and less control of play. Hangover sorted them selves and righted the ship when Danny Gerbasi too a loose ball in the box off feet of a defender and was able to get a quick left footed shot off in traffic slotting it inside the goal post for the 1-0 in the 33rd minute. Middle River were a bit deflated by that and gave up more opportunities but Hangover could not convert on the chances. They stuck with it and had golden opportunity when a rebound came off of Hangover keeper directly to the foot of the Middle River striker that one-timed the ball wide of the net. John Jenkins had a wonderful chance one on one with the keeper but the died and he wound up pushing it wide of the far post. The half ended 1-0 to Hangover.  

In the second half, Hangover started off well but yet again for the second match Middle River showed their heart and did not quit. They played hard and won 50/50 balls and created a couple very nice opportunities for themselves. But space started to open up and that was to the advantage of the Hangover midfield. They were able to string a bunch pass together quickly and move the ball to the forwards before the defense could react. Jon Pitonzo, Tom Burgoon and Anthony Menegatti were on the receiving end of many long diagonal through balls were they had loads of space and were able to either stop cross go to goal or lay it off to the trailer – all had created excellent chances but the ball was not in the net. Hangover knew they were one bad bounce away from a tie game, especially after last year’s DiMarco semi-final giving up a goal in the last moment to tie the match, then losing on penalties. So it was far from over. Then in the 62nd minute Danny Gerbasi cleared a ball from his own 25 yd line and with MRFC pushing men forward the ball found John Jenkins who was in one-on-one with the defender and was able to back him up, create a space to his right hit one hard beating keeper to the far post giving Hangover the 2-0 lead. Middle River still did not give up hope, but their legs were beginning to fail them. Butch Santucci came up big with some great gets on a couple MRFC corner kicks and made a couple big saves down the stretch when called upon. IN the waning moments of the match MRFC pushed all men up to create something, but the the lack of numbers in theier defense was exploited on the counter attack. Anthony Menegatti followed a shot to the net that the keeper bobbled and came loose and he was able to play it back to Chris Hastings who touched to his right and buried it into the upper right to seal the match for Hangover. The final whistle blew and it was 3-0 to Hangover United.

At the post match press conference at Kislings player/manager Chris King said, “This was an excellent match from start to finish. Both sides played very well and once again Middle River showed their heart and did not just lay down- they came to play and it showed.” After the heart breaking penalty shot-out loss last year, that should never have been, this was quite a relief for the Hangover player/manager. “Last years loss that should have been Golden Goal in OT which would’ve giving us the win, but hey ohh well – what are you gunna do… just strap on the boots again and come out next year. So that’s what we did.” King also gave high marks to his defense tonight, “Oudr defense played very well. Everyone, Tom Burgoon, Chuck Wasson, Lee Collins and especially Ray Mitcham – who had his best game of the year tonight.”

Hangover now make their way to the Semi-Finals of the DiMarco Cup next Tuesday November 25th at 8:45 PM –v- Overlea FC at Utz Field in Patterson Park. Overlea FC got by Hazelwood Inn 1–0. On the other side of the draw, Cardwells Tavern of Division III were the surprise winners over the Div II runners-up Ashland Café 2-1 in a penalty shoot out. And Peninsula United over came a 0-2 deficeit in the final 20 minutes to tie the match send it to over time and win on a Golden Goal with only 5 minutes left in OT to advance over MSA.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ray Mitcham (his best match of the year), Chuck Wasson (Hon Mention)
GOAL OF THE MATCH: Danny Gerbasi (left footer inside the post)
FOUL OF THE MATCH: Jon Pitonzo (sissor kick that connected to the nose of the MRFC defender – leading to a nice bloody nose)

NEXT MATCH: WEEK #9 - SUN NOVEMBER 2nd - BYE WEEK
NEXT MATCH: DiMARCO CUP Semi-Final: TUE NOVEMBER 25th -v- Overlea SC 8:45PM, Utz Field @ Patterson Park NEXT MATCH: DIV II Semi-Final: SUN NOVEMBER 30th -v- TBA, field TBD ko TBA