(NPSL 2016) Kingston Stockade 2v4 New York Cosmos B

Saturday 18th June 2016
Amesbury Sports Park, Massachusetts   Attendance -

Cosmos B consolidated their lead in the Atlantic Conference following a 4v2 victory over Kingston Stockade. It looked like plain sailing for Cosmos after they dominated their opponents in the first 45mins, going in 2v0 at half time. But a crazy start to the second half which saw 3 goals in 4mins, 2 for the home side, made the game more difficult than it should have been, before a late goal sealed the win.

Cosmos had to make a substitutions seconds into the game after Trey Williams left the pitch due to illness, with Frankie Castellanos replacing the player. But despite the early change Cosmos had the first chance when a dangerous Castellanos free kick was whipped into the area, but the header from close range was well off target.

The home side were struggling to cope with the superior technique and quick passing from the Cosmos and there were a few efforts on the Stockade goal in the early stages. Cosmos had the ball in the Stockade net after a slip from a Stockade player when taking a free kick saw the Cosmos counter in numbers, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Stockade rode out the difficult period and started to launch some attacks of their own and after a scramble in the Cosmos area a VonEgypt header had to be cleared in the first moment of danger to the away side. But the Cosmos made the breakthrough after 25mins following a great flowing move involving Mitrano, Castellanos and finished off by Ruiz .

Cosmos remained in control of the game and went close to making it 2v0 when Castellanos put Mitrano through, but the Cosmos man could only find the side netting from a tight angle. Cosmos did get the second goal they deserved when a dangerous free-kick was nodded in by Mitrano.

Following a clearance from a Cosmos corner Holzer almost produced a fantastic 3rd goal as his half volley from long range went narrowly wide.

Mitrano should have made it 3v0 in stoppage time after a pull back from the bye line found the him unmarked, only to blaze over.

It looked a long way back for the home side, but they got back into the game after a flurry of 3 goals in quick succession early in the second half, 2 coming the way of Kingston. The home side made it 2v1 when a long ball from Dylan Williams picked out Michael Creswick whose pace took him clear and he held his nerve to reduce the deficit.

But within seconds of the restart Cosmos struck a third goal. Mitrano drilled in a low cross which found Ruiz who turned his marker expertly and slotted the ball in to restore the 2 goal advantage . But straight from centre Stockade went for the jugular and a great run from Williams ended in a low cross across goal which Creswick bundled in.

Despite the comeback from the home side the Cosmos were still creating the best chances and McTurk wasted an opportunity when he produced a weak shot after another flowing move from the Cosmos. Soon after a wonderful ball with the outside of the right foot gave Cosmos another chance, but again the connection was weak and the score remained 3v2.

The away side were looking tired as Cosmos started to pick them off with increasing regularity and Mitrano was put through 1 on 1, but the Stockade keeper made the save to keep his side in the game. Soon after and Mitrano was in again in similar circumstances, only to run the ball out of play after taking it round the keeper.

Kingston danger man Williams went close with a brilliant effort for Kingston, but the Cosmos wrapped up the win with a great volley from Forgaard after another assist from Castellanos, picking up a tired clearance from Stockade.