GM blog: Old Bhoys kick off preseason with win at the death

Goals: Old Bhoys – Tim Shackleton (11’, Ante Cop assist), Jalen Rice (90’, Ryan Blarr assist); Livonia City FC – (28’, Matt McCourt)

Conditions: Overcast, kickoff temp of ~66 F.

Attendance: 50

GAME SUMMARY

Old Bhoys Soccer Club hosted Livonia City FC of the Michigan Premier Soccer League (MPSL) to Cardinal Ritter Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the first friendly match of the 2019 season for the Bhoys. Livonia City made the trip to the Hoosier State a day earlier, playing a closely contested match against FC Indiana in Lafayette, losing 2-1. Both sides are early on in their season preparation.

The start of the match reflected this early state of the season, as both teams are beginning to come together and also look to impose their will in how they are playing or will be playing as 2019 plays out. Possession was initially captured at the start by Livonia City, with the Bhoys looking to transition possession when regained and counter quickly. As the match reached 10 minutes, the Old Bhoys were looking to latch on to some balls played deep from the back, and struck first in the 11th minute. Matt Perry corralled an errant pass in the middle of the defensive third, and played a ball back to his ‘keeper, Ante Cop. Upon receipt, Cop checked his fullbacks and then played a ball long over the top of the defense of Livonia City FC to a streaking Tim Shackleton. Shackleton beat his defender to the ball, lashing a looping first time volley up and over the keeper to secure the first goal of 2019! 1-0, Old Bhoys.

The next few minutes produced some high-quality chances for Livonia City FC, resulting in the Old Bhoys calling on Cop to stand on his head, making two back-to-back, point-blank sprawling saves. After the ensuing corner, the Bhoys defense settled in a bit and began to play with more confidence. However, that was short-lived. In the 28th minute, Matt McCourt of Livonia City, having just stepped onto the pitch, slotting home a rebound to pull his side level. The buildup of play started in their defensive third, and through some nice midfield interplay, Livonia dumped a ball into the far side corner, and with a combination of their wingers’ pace and an injury to center back Nick Kowalkowski, a shot from close range was saved by Cop. Unfortunately for the home side, the rebound fell into McCourt’s path and he coolly finished. Livonia almost struck again in the 35th minute, but a goal line clearance by Trevor Semakula kept the score level. The first half saw a couple of disciplinary cautions issued, and finished 1-1.

The second half began with the home side being somewhat more deliberate with the ball in possession. This approach of patient buildup led to a very good scoring chance for the “good guys” just five minutes into the second frame. Through some connecting play on the right flank, Stone Riddle whipped a cross in toward Anthony Moscatello. Moscatello’s snap header forced a tremendous save from Livonia City’s goalkeeper. The increase in possession led to another chance just a couple of minutes later, where an interception from Semakula and threaded through ball into Jalen Rice’s path forced another solid save from the away keeper. Ten minutes into the second half, the match became more of a back-and-forth affair, largely through the bulk of this time period. Both sides generated some pressure, but either defense didn’t break. Until we reached the end of the 90 minutes…

In stoppage time, Derek Onay collected a pass in the attacking third, and found Ryan Blarr in space on the right wing. On the weak side, Jalen Rice made a run toward the far post and Blarr’s cross found him in space. Jalen casually slotted home the game-winning goal in his first match wearing the Old Bhoys logo. A local product of the youth and high school soccer system of Indianapolis, it was fitting that his goal would break the deadlock and lift the Bhoys to victory. Final score: 2-1, Old Bhoys on top.

OLD BHOYS SOCCER CLUB ROSTER

Goalkeeper: Ante Cop

Defenders: Trevor Semakula, Nick Kowalkowski, Matthew Perry, Brian Burleson, Nick Littrell, Ryan Blarr, Jide Oluyedun

Midfielders: Juan Alberghetti, Tommy Clark, Stone Riddle, Neal Shaw, David Chagollan,

Forwards/wingers: Tim Shackleton (C), Jalen Rice, Anthony Moscatello, Lucas Brown, Derek Onay

Next up for your Old Bhoys:  The Bhoys await the winner of the Gunners vs. Valhalla FC in the first round of the USASA Region II Amateur Cup and will host the second-round match. Details to follow; be sure to follow the Old Bhoys on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for additional details.

Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_H_1980.

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