Inspired by striker Danú Kinsella Bishop, Lansdowne Yonkers reeled in back-to-back victories over Hellenic opposition in a 48-hour period to move to within a point of NY Greek Americans after inflicting a first defeat on the APSL Metropolitan Conference leaders.
The most prolific Irish goal-scorer at that level in recent memory, Bishop hauled Lansdowne back from a 1-0 deficit to the previously unbeaten Greeks at Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers last week Thursday to script a 2-1 victory for the Bhoys.
Two days later at the same venue, the South Dublin product sealed a 3-0 win over NY Pancyprian Freedoms with a team-high 14th league goal [19 in all competitions] in a Lansdowne tenure that only began last December.
With two games remaining in the regular season, Lansdowne [15-2-3, 47] moved back into second position on the Metropolitan Conference log that the Greeks [15-3-1, 48] occupy. Greek Americans, however, have a game in hand.
DANÚ BRACE
Going back to last fall, Lansdowne has stalked Greek Americans in the APSL even as the hitherto undefeated Greeks chalked up win after win. In their first meeting last November, Bishop struck after three minutes only for the Greeks to hit back twice and claim the points.
They met again a month later in the Manning State Cup semi-finals at Fleming Park, a titanic encounter that was tied 1-1 in the 89th minute until Bishop struck again to nick it 2-1 for the Bhoys.
Speaking after his brace had seen off Greeks once again, Bishop said: “We beat them in the Cup so we knew it was gonna be tough [this time], because they probably would've wanted to put that result right and get us back for beating them in the Cup. But we did the job. We got it done.”
That seemed improbable earlier. “The Greeks were probably the better side in the first half and they had a penalty which our keeper [Luis Granados] saved,” said Bishop.
Then Brian Sousa Saramago put the Greeks ahead on the hour.
Not involved in much of the play, by his own admission, Bishop, nevertheless, kept the faith. “I just knew if I just stayed focused a chance would come and as a striker when the chances come and we're still in the game -- it's your chance to win the game for the team. So, it was just a matter of staying focused and staying ready, and thankfully I got two opportunities in the second half and I was able to win the game in a very, very close game.”
He connected in the 70th and 79th minutes – making it two wins in a row over their archrivals and setting the stage for a thriller third meeting.
“Yeah, that puts the pressure on now [when we see each other], they know that we’ve beaten them twice in a row, so it'll be extra spicy when we play them again,” said Bishop.
Two days later, Lansdowne routed another Hellenic side, Pancyprian Freedoms, 3-0 at Tibbetts Brook Park to set up a dramatic finish to the APSL regular season.
Liam Salmon [34th], Ethan Homler [37th] and Bishop [65th] were on target for the Bhoys.
