Kisling's Tavern
HANGOVER UNITED
Soccer Club

Baltimore, Maryland USA - Est. 1995












HANGOVER UNITED - MATCH REPORT 2003 WEEK 8

HANGOVER DRAW WITH ASHLAND CAFÉ 2-2, STAY TOPS
By David Jones for soccernet.com

26 OCTOBER 2003

BALTIMORE, MD – Hangover United still kept their undefeated season alive Sunday but only barely at Patterson Park against Ashland Cafe. It was yet another beautiful Sunday morning for 2nd Annual Friends & Family Day. Hangover did very well early on, controlling the possession of the ball. It was obvious from the start that Hangover had a speed advantage up top against the Ashland defense. Hangover to put balls over the top and to the corners for Hangover forwards John Jenkins and Jon Pitonzo to run onto. In the 17th minute, an offsides call against Ashland in the Hangover end gave Aron Shea a free kick who stepped up and played a beautiful long ball over the top the John Jenkins, who was able to control and then calmly slot the ball by the Ashland keeper giving Hangover the early lead. Yet again, time and time opportunities abounded for Hangover but each shot was off the mark. Most memorable when a rebound off the Ashland keeper came to Danny Gerbasi who got a left footed reaction volley to but just put the over the empty net. “It felt like it was going to be one of those matches where we do everything right but put the ball in the net” player/manager Chris King said. Ashland Café were able to create some good opportunities themselves as the they tied the game up when some confusion in the defense let in a through ball that Hangover keeper Butch Santucci came off his line to get, but the Ashland striker got a toe to first and the ball was in the net as the two collided. With renewed spirits Ashland Café kept the pressure up and it paid off. A missed played clearance lead to very high ball played into the Hangover box, leading to confusion and unmarked men being able to get a head on the bouncing ball that was nodded into the net after it bounced around in front of the net like a pinball. “That sucked… it was difficult to watch” King commented after the match. The first half ended 2-1 to Ashland Cafe.  

In the second half, Hangover was a bit flat and it showed. Loosing 50/50 balls and not marking well gave the possession advantage to Ashland. Hangover did turn things around and mounted an established offensive assault, but to no avail – all shots were off the mark. Strong defensive play from Hangover lead by the central defense of Art Mullen & Brian Yankle helped the cause by playing good outlet passes which lead to very good transition play. As what seemed to be countless opportunities went by the wayside in the 77th minute John Jenkins shot from outside the 18 was blocked then defected to the closing Aron Shea who one timed the bouncing ball on goal past the now way out of position Ashland Café keeper. The ball took a favorable bounce past the Ashland sweeper who had tried to clear the ball off the line but it hopped over his leg into the net tying the match at 2-2. With the last ten minutes seeming like a constant loop of Hangover winning the Ashland goal kicks breaking through the Ashland Café defense but just not being able to the ball in the net. Time and time again the Ashland keeper came up big. Then in the 89th minute the Hangover defense was caught flat footed on a counter attack and the Ashland striker cut the ball back past Lee Collins to have a clear shot on goal from 20 yds out, Hangover keeper Butch Santucci came off his line and came up big with a HUGE reaction save and catch, robbing the Ashland striker of a goal. “That was a brilliant piece of tending right there from Butch… I thought he was dead in the water. ” King said after the match. The match ended with a 2-2 draw.

At the post match press conference at Kislings player/manager Chris King said, “This was not our best effort as a team and we know it.” King added “We seemed flat and disjointed out there for long stretches. I think this was a fair result, but it should serve to our side as a BIG wake up call, ‘cause we certainly looked like we were asleep for parts of that match.” A big thanks goes out to all the Friends & Family who came out to the match and out to Kislings afterward – it was a good time and we will be sure to do it again next year.

After 8 weeks, John Jenkins is still the MMSL point leader and well on his way to his second consecutive Golden Boot for Div I, II & III with 32 points (11 goals, 10 assists). Hangover next take on Peninsula United in a make-up of the Week #3 make-up match on Tuesday November 11th at 7:00 PM at Utz Field in Patterson Park.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Art Mullen (defense), Butch Santucci (Hon Mention)
GOAL OF THE MATCH: John Jenkins (assisted by Shea)
FOUL OF THE MATCH: Chris Sicliano (deliberate foul oultside the box, first half)

NEXT MATCH: WEEK #9 - SUN NOVEMBER 2nd - BYE WEEK
NEXT MATCH: WEEK #10 MAKE UP - SUN NOVEMBER 9th -v- Kingsville F.C. @ Kingsville ko 10:00 AM NEXT MATCH: WEEK #3 MAKE UP - TUES NOVEMBER 11th -v- Peninsula United @ Utz Field in Patterson Park ko 7:00 PM

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