Continentals blare cannons; However not enough as they fall 6-2

(Parsippany NJ) – Continentals blare cannons; However not enough as they fall 6-2

As news spread late last week that continentals all time leading scorer and striker Peter Luthi was out for the rest of the NJSL season was cause for even more concern as the turbulent 08/09 NJSL season begins to wind down, it wasn’t for Interim manager Dan Clayton.

Clayton stuck with his 4-5-1 formation and replaced Luthi with himself. When asked why he stuck himself into the starting lineup he replied in the post game “I know myself and my limits, I believe with me coming back I could spark something” and he did. After being down two goals in the first 5 minutes it looked like the continentals were going to face another drubbing by Vikings FC who defeated them 11-1 on Oct. 19th.

The heat was a factor, with the game time temperature posted at 89 degrees with both teams leading to lethargic play. In the 32nd minute a flurry in front of the Vikings net, Bedo attempted a bicycle kick in front of the net but was forced down in the box and a penalty kick was awarded. Much debate was given on who should take the kick, but Clayton took the kick and buried it into the right corner closing the gap to 2-1. However; with continentals in celebration mode, lethargic play led to a Vikings goal thirty seconds later and opened up a two goal lead at 3-1.

The second half started with more lethargic play and mental mistakes by the back line and led to two goals to open the second half scoring at 5-1. With Brian Daire going down early in the second half Clayton decided to change the flow and put Mike “boo boo” Cheatham at striker and moved Russ Bauer to outside midfielder where he mostly played last summer. The manager also moved Rob Linepinuel to the other outside mid and put Bedo in the middle with Steve Sabo and Brady McDonald. That center tandem pounced onto a tired Vikings defense with fancy footwork and precision passing that fed Cheatham for the 2nd continental’s goal to bring it to 5-2.

The Vikings were relentless against Mark Basso who may have played his best game ever stopping 25 shots. He was replaced in the 78th minute after taking a blow to the ribs. Marco Carvallaro went into net after playing most of the game at center back. On a through ball that went in between both Clayton and Randao`, Carvallaro came out to face the Viking attacker and he chipped the on rushing keeper for the final tally of the game.
After the game Clayton was asked for his thoughts: “I believe based from the last time we played them we did positive things here today. Did I think we could have played better? Absolutely. Mental mistakes and communication is what killed us. I’m pleased on our conditioning, the midfielders came back to help on defense and we buried our chances when we had them. In the last 4 games the Defense has carried us in some, and our midfielders and strikers did today. We just need to bring that continuity together”

Notes:

- Clayton scored his 1st ever NJSL goal, and was taken out in the 85th minute after feeling a “pop” in his recently healed hip, he is day to day
- Cheatham also scored his first NJSL goal
- Linepinuel has a broken toe and will be re evaluated later in the week
- Mark Basso set the single season mark by a continental’s keeper with 25 saves in one game.