Charm City Thump Queen City 4-0
June 1, 2008
Buffalo, NY
Charm City FC improved to 4 and 1 in the young NPSL season with a tremendous result in Buffalo, NY Sunday afternoon. Buffalo’s All High Stadium is a great venue for soccer and proved to the liking of City as well. City came out fired up to prove to last year’s East Coast champions and NPSL National finalists that they mean business.
The match started out very even as both sides traded scoring opportunities. But in the 28th minute midfielder Tony Tamanini hit the mark for City. Midfielder Pat Crawford, in a scramble 15 feet from the right touch line, somehow touched the ball forward to Tamanini who struck a powerful 25 yard right footed ball that soared over the Buffalo keeper and screamed its way into the top left corner of the net. “That strike will be the talk of Charm City for years to come” said GM Jim Oman. “Tony’s goal was the turning point”.
City continued to pressure and received a deserving second goal in the 38th minute off a great corner kick from the left side by midfielder Lucas Pardew. Pardew’s cross found the head of defender Elon Backer who nodded home his first of the season into the lower right hand corner of the net. The half came to a close with City in control and a 2 nil lead.
The second half began similar to the first with both sides seeing opportunities pass them by. In the 59th minute City forward Matt Beckman struck his forth of the season with a strong outside of the right foot strike from 15 yards out that swerved away from the keeper and found the right side if the net to extend City’s lead to 3.
City’s 4th goal came in the 88th minute as Buffalo attempted to push forward. Mike Brown began the play with a beautiful through ball from the bottom of the center circle to the left side where he found Lucas Pardew wide open. Luke rushed forward down the left side of the goal and slotted an outstanding finish to the far right side netting just inside the post. A well deserved goal for Luke as he played another stellar match.
The win topped off a great long weekend for City. The 2-1 win on Friday evening in Lancaster and today’s result were meant to show the league that this team is here to stay.
City’s next match will be against the same Buffalo team on Saturday, June 7 at 5:00 PM at Harford Community College. This should be another great match as Buffalo will come out determined to avenge today’s defeat and turn their 0-3 start around.