
It ended up being a tough earned 2-1 win away to Pateadores on Sunday, making it 6 wins from 6 in CSL action.
Both teams came out with the intent of making it an exciting game and there were plenty of chances created and missed. In fact, several guilt edged opportunities that could have changed the dynamics of the game were missed. At half, the teams went in level on score, but Pateadores ended up down a man after a defender took down Doxa’s Bryan Byrne when he ran in the box with no defenders between him and the goal.
Up a man, Doxa completely took over the game and the breakthrough finally came 10 minutes into the second. Bryan Byrne beat several player on the right and reached the endline, before squaring a ball back to the unmarked Ryan Purtell in the box. Purtell somehow managed to settled his nerve (and his stomach) as he knocked the ball home. Questions are still being asked as to why Purtell, who is a center back, ended up in the opposing box – but it was a very much welcomed goal. The second came from Steve Chirgwin – his 3rd of the season. Chirgy picked the ball up 25yards out and sweetly struck a bending shot past the outstretched keeper. Pateadores did get a goal back late in the game, thanks to a PK. Miguel Alvarez gave away the PK and picked up the yellow jersey for hand-balling in the box, with no players around him! In the final moments of the game, Pateadores nearly stole an unexpected point, only to have Brandon Avery make a terrific save, diving to his left and getting his fingers on a shot that was destined for the upper V.
Next week, Doxa take on OC Crew at 8pm, Manhattan Village.
Goals:
#1 – Ryan Purtell (Bryan Byrne)
#2 – Steve Chirwin (Eddie Pinto)
1. Brandon Avery
2. Ryan Purtell
3. Justin Valashinas
4. Kyle Holland
5. Mike Piechota
6. Eddie Pinto
7. Joe Cartlidge
8. Ricky Figueroa
9. Bryan Byrne
10. Steve Chirgwin
11. Greg Piechota
12. Ilia Nazarov
13. Nissa Hatifie
14. Miguel Alvarez
15. Sean Lockhart
16. Justin Commins
17. Richie Million