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

HANGOVER UNITED - MATCH REPORT 2003 WEEK 5

HANGOVER UTD TAKE PJ’s PUB 4-1, REMAIN TOP OF TABLE
By David Jones for soccernet.com
05 OCTOBER 2003

BALTIMORE, MD – Hangover United kept their undefeated season alive Sunday at Patterson Park against the second place PJ’s PUB. The crisp and very windy sunny fall day was a perfect backdrop for a soccer match. Hangover did quite well early, controlling the possession and pace of play, but the ball was the hardest thing to get a handle on. The wind wreaked havoc with ball in the air. In the first half with Hangover going straight into the wind gave a huge advantage to the PJ’s side. PJ’s goal kicks and punts were traveling ľ the length of the field which made for some unsure plays by the Hangover defense. Also having to work the ball on the ground out of their own end made the options far less for Hangover and gave PJ’s more opportunity to press, and they did. Although they did create opportunity they were unable to capitalize. Hangover keeper Bert Miller had more than one iffy moment in net, but he came up large when needed – even though the ref made Miller remove his cap in net citing the “common sense FIFA rule” fearing he may use it as a weapon or beak against the opposition. Danny Gerbasi uncorked a canon from 22yds out that was heading just under the bar but the keeper was able to get a hand on it to knock it over. The deadlock was broken when Aron Shea’s BIG throw in to the center of the goal was met by Richard Bright who leapt from the crowd like spawning salmon to head home the ball giving Hangover the 1-0 lead at halftime. “We felt that if we were able to get out the first half without giving up a goal in that crazy wind, we would be in good shape” player/manager Chris King stated after the match.  

In the second half, Hangover realized they had the wind at their backs and were going to use it. After a couple close calls Hangover struck again From the right side Jon Pitonzo sent a nasty low cross the bent away from the keeper and John Jenkins was able to get his foot onto and punch into the net giving Hangover a 2-0 lead. From that point on more space was found and things opened up, but PJs hung tough and weren’t going down without a fight. A foul 22 yds outside of the PJs goal gave Hangover a free kick. Danny Gerbasi and John Jenkins lined up over the ball, Gerbasi ran over the ball and Jenkins just crushed a rocket over the 5 man PJs wall into the far upper 90 corner of the net. “That just wasn’t fair to hit it that hard...” King said after the match. An air of confidence was now over Hangover but not a minute later a couple of nice passes by PJ’s led to a well placed volley that found its way past Hangover keeper Butch Santucci making the score 3-1 with around 15 minutes left. There was still some game left to play. Danny Gerbasi was denied yet again after he smacked another long ranger that the PJ’s Pub keeper was able to stop. In the 82nd minute “birthday-boy” Anthony Menegatti was able to get a ball at the near post and one-time into the roof of the net beating the keeper near post which took any thoughts of a comeback away from PJs. The match ended 4-1 to Hangover.

At the post match press conference at the Maryland Micro-Brew Beer Garden at the Fells Point Festival, player/manager Chris King said, “Once again the whole team played solid. I think all of Division II know we are the ones to beat now.” King then added, “We must stay on top of ourselves and not let this start go to our heads. We have both Hazelwood Inn next Sunday and the Week #2 make up match against Peninsula United next Tuesday October 14th – so we need to keep it up.” A turn out of around 12 players and friends had good time at the Fells Point Festival Micro-Brew Garden soaking up the sun and drinking some brew and then fighting the chill of the shade.

After 5 weeks, John Jenkins is still the MMSL point leader for both Div I & II with 19 points (8 goals, 3 assists). Hangover next take on Hazelwood Inn on Sunday October 12th at 10 AM at Eastern Regional Park #9 in Chase, MD.

MAN OF THE MATCH: John Jenkins (2 goals - one a BOMB!!)
GOAL OF THE MATCH: Rick Bright’s header (perfect throw in from Aron Shea)
FOUL OF THE MATCH: Lee Collins (yellow carded tackle) & John Jenkins steam roller in the first half.

NEXT MATCH: SUN OCTOBER 12th -v- Hazelwood Inn @ Eastern #9 in Chase, MD ko 10:00 AM
Eastern Regional Park - Balt. County   - 11723 Eastern Ave. Chase, MD 21220  
410-887-0258 Rain Number