A 12-goal scoring spree over a 48-hour period saw Lansdowne Yonkers advance to the next round of the National Amateur Cup, and record a second victory in the American Premier Soccer League.
The blitz began against Osner’s FC, opposition from the United Premier Soccer League [UPSL], who were annihilated 8-1 in an Amateur Cup tie at Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers last week Thursday.
Lansdowne were all over Osner’s, a Haitian-American side out of Brooklyn, from the first whistle. They carved out chances in the sixth and ninth minutes before forcing an outstanding save from the goalie in the 12th.
But it wasn’t until the 35th minute that the goal flood began. Following another spell of pressure, Nikolas Pajares drew first blood for the Bhoys with a well-placed effort from at least 20-yards.
But against the run of play, Osner’s leveled on the break with a superb individual goal [42nd].
That, however, would only spur the Bhoys whose Canadian midfielder Liam Salmon struck almost straight from the restart to restore the Lansdowne lead going into the interval.
The scoring resumed early in the second half with the prolific Danú Kinsella Bishop, last season’s top scorer, connecting in the 51st minute to spark another blitz. Within five minutes, Niko Vidal [55th] and Danú again [56th] had made it 5-1.
The Haitians nearly got one back only to be denied a certain goal by Lansdowne shot stopper Luis Granados [63rd].
They would then be punished by Ben Stitz who would notch a brace in seven minutes [73rd, 80th], both tap-ins at the near post, to put Lansdowne 7-1 up.
Sam McCann had the assist on the seventh and closed the show with a gem of a goal in the 84th minute. He jinked past a defender on the left, cut in and hoisted a dipping ball into top right hand corner.
Twelve hours later, Jeremy Doku scored an almost identical goal in Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield.
With the destruction of Osner’s, last season’s National Amateur Cup losing finalists begin their quest for a third title in emphatic form. Lansdowne were USASA national champions in 2017 and 2021 and. They lost 3-1 in extra time to California’s El Farolito in last season’s final in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, three months ago.
COUNTY BOUNCED
Two nights after demolishing Osner’s, the Bhoys returned to Tibbetts Brook to face Richmond County in an APSL fixture. They picked up where they’d left off 48 hours earlier and triumphed 4-1.
Three of the Lansdowne goals came in the first 19 minutes as the Irish made an explosive start.
Six minutes in, Lansdowne were awarded a penalty for handball. Danú converted the spot kick.
McCann was on target four minutes later, blasting in a cross from close range at the far post
Danú got the third when he finished aplomb at the far post after being teed up by Melvin Pierre Louis [18th]. The former League of Ireland star then completed his hat trick -- and fifth goal in two games -- eight minutes from time.
Nael Elysee netted Richmond’s consolation in the 87th minute.
Lansdowne [2-1-0, 10 pts ] are now fourth in the APSL Metropolitan Conference, three points behind leaders Central Park Rangers [4-1-0] but with two games in hand.
COLUMBUS CUP
Meanwhile, Lansdowne hosted its annual Columbus Cup youth tournament last weekend. It drew 120 teams to seven fields at three venues in Yonkers and on Randalls Island, with some 2,000 spectators in attendance.
“We had 16 different winners in age groups from U-8 to U-14,” said William McGrory, Lansdowne technical director.
