1776 Falls 4-2 In Scrimmage

(Morris Township,NJ)- The Morristown 1776 AFC fell 4-2 at Frelinghuysen Middle School in Morris Township Sunday in what will be their final tuneup before the NJSL season picks back up March 29 vs Maiwand FC.

In a match that saw The Continentals fall behind 2-0 on a thru ball that failed to see a second 1776 centre back drop back and a collision leaving both keeper Ryan Vinton and Defender Mike Pollock on the ground that led to an easy score.

Morristown answered before the break on a Mike Cheatham header but quickly conceded another on a shot that slipped through Vinton's fingers for the 3-1 halftime disadvantage.

'76 quickly countered in the second with a Bedo strike to pull within 3-2 but fill in keeper Brady McDonald couldn't stop a shot to his right making the final score of 4-2.

Match Notes:

-Keeper Ryan Vinton, in his first outdoor match since August '07, left at halftime with soreness in his surgically repaired left knee, only to return for the final 15 minutes.
-Former NY/NJ Metrostar, Bedo recorded his first Continental goal.
-This was caretaker manager Dan Clayton's first match at the helm.

Saturday Training Cancelled, Friendly Match Sunday

(Morristown,NJ)- The Morristown 1776 AFC has cancelled Saturday's (March 21) "Spring Training" session in favor of a Sunday Morning (March 22) Friendly Match.

The match kick-off time is 11am at Frelinghuysen Middle School, with a player mandatory arrival time of 10:30am.

Imagining The Clayton 4-4-2

Just a guess at what new gaffer Dan Clayton's starting lineup may look in The Morristown 1776 AFC's spring NJSL Opener aganist Maiwand FC, March 29.


---Cheatham-----McDonald-------
-----------Sabo----------------
Bebo-----------------Carvallaro
---------R. Bauer-------------
Daire--------------------Basso
------Deighan---Pollock-------
------------------------------
------------Vinton------------

Defender Hyre To Miss Spring Opener

(Morristown,NJ)- One of the four remaining "Original Continentals", Central Defender Charlie Hyre, will miss the club's first scheduled spring match vs Maiwand FC, March 29th, due to a previous personal commitment.

Hyre has played with the club since their inaugural season back in 2007, Hyre is a mainstay on the Continentals backline and will return to the club the following week, for a April 5 showdown vs Hispano FC.

Continentals Commence "Spring Training"

(Whippany,NJ)- Freshly minted caretaker gaffer Dan Clayton led the lads in their first "spring training" session in preparation for their NJSL Opener vs Maiwand FC March 29th.

The session held at the familiar Continental training ground, Black Brook Park in Whippany, walked the blokes thru basic drills and scrimmages to "kick the rust off," said Manager Clayton.

The club will hold another session tonight 8-10pm again at Black Brook.

Midfielder Bhandari Sidelined With Knee Injury

(Hanover Township,NJ)- Continental Midfielder Devin Bhandari suffered a knee injury during a workout over the winter.

Bhandari had a MRI on the knee earlier this week and is currently awaiting the results. He will most likely miss at least the beginning of the 1776 spring NJSL season.

Mennen Field Closed Until May

(Morristown,NJ)- The Continental's home pitch, Mennen Field, will be closed until late April or May.

Colgate-Palmolive, who own the property, use the field to dump snow from their parking lot over the winter. This has caused extensive damage and flooding from the snow and trucks on the turf to the field.

The field is currently to wet to begin repairs on the surface. This effects The Morristown 1776 AFC first two home matches, March 29 and April 4.

The club is currently exploring playing at their original home field Morris Plains Boro School as well as Frelinghuysen Middle School and the turf fields in Parsippany.

Playing the first month plus of the season on the road is also a possibility for the club.