'76 Drop Opener To Sportfriends

(Morris Township,NJ)- The Morristown 1776 A.F.C. dropped their NJSL NJ Division opener Sunday at home 4-1 to Sportfriends FC.

Sportfriends FC, a club relegated from the upper division last season for disciple issues staked out a 3-0 halftime advantage at Mennen Field. 1776 looked outmatched and outplayed in the 90 degree weather for the first half.

Manager Ryan Vinton, in his first match since losing the "interim" tag, must have lit a fire under the Continentals during the intermission as they looked a different side after the break.

A few key tactical changes including moving former captain Randao from defense to the midfield, club newcomer and former trialist, 17 year old newcomer Marco Carvallo to centerback and utilizing Tyquan Griffin as a marker
seemed to make a world of difference.

The return of Brian DeMarco to the club provided a spark to the attack with his numerous cutting runs and the clubs staple at forward, Brady McDonald ,struck in the 65th minute to bring the Continentals within two off a assist by Russell Bauer, who looked like he really improved his attacking abilities over the summer and figures to play a much more significant role in the 1776 attack this campaign.

Sportfriends found their last goal after the 90th minute when Morristown had committed virtually the entire team to the attack, as they were trailing by 2 in the waining minutes.


Note: Brady McDonald netted his 8th career goal, tying Peter Luthi for the club's all-time leading scorer.


'76 Scoring


McDonald(1)65th minute [Assist:R.Bauer (1)]


'76 Discipline
Griffin(78') Yellow, Intentional Handball




'76 Shots


McDonald(3)
DeMarco (3)
O'Shea (2)
R. Bauer (1)
Deighan(1)
Mazza (1)





'76 Saves

Basso(7)





'76 Offsides

Deighan(2)
McDonald(1)




Corners
1776 (3)




'76 Starters

4-1-2-1-2


Basso
Daire Deighan Pollack D. Bauer
Clayton
R. Bauer Mazza
DeMarco
McDonald O'Shea




'76 Subs

Bhandari
Griffin
Carvallo