Echo Park were coming off a feisty game with Harts and so there promised to be fireworks in a game that ended 2-2 in the first round match-up back on February 7th.

Expecting a tight one in the searing heat downtown, the lads braced themselves.

Four minutes in and the referee ruled Moggsy was brought down just outside the box, and since his vision was slightly blurred from a night out with Irish Mark, he gave the kick to Malcolm Davies who took it upon himself to do the Guillermo Andrade impression and hit the back of the net.

Early in the second half it was Dac Cherner with his debut goal as the goalie didn’t know whether to stick or twist and Dac was there with the head to put the game beyond Echo Park.

Paul Jesman’s incredible finish from just inside the box was the icing on the cake.

Another clean sheet, even with the mix and match back four of yesterday. A composed and attractive game with excellent performances from Martin Gonzales in the middle and Chris Rogers at the back.

But Moggsy rallied the lads at the half, and there was certainly room for some composure in addition to urgency. Daniel Winter’s ugly looking ankle roll meant a little shifting of personnel, but in the seond half Rigo Segura stepped up and was a genuine find at right back – bringing pace and physical presence.

Moggsy knocked in the leveller and it was barely three minutes later when Guillermo Andrade hit an absolutely menacing strike through their wall and into the inside side netting, unbelievable. Chris had little to do in the second period, and the Sputs served up some great footie, with Paul Jesman and Martin Gonzalez riveting in the middle and Ian Campbell ever inspiring at the back.

Moggsy rallied the troops at half time, and there was a little more steel in the step, bite in the tackle and purpose in the dash. Malcolm Christie, released from the defensive duties of last year has been terrific in midfield and picked his time to take the ball for a nice long run through the Real CFC midfield, unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty he was brought down inside the box and his endeavor came to nothing.

Paul Jesman worked away – but took even more hits that most weeks as Real recognized his threat. It was deadlocked until 8 minutes from time, when Malcolm – duly rested – decided to retry the earlier tactic. He turned the final man to give himself a shooting opportunity to the ‘keepers left and sure enough the ball was in the back of the net. Absolutely brilliant.

Table topping performance from all present, magnificent.

Moggsy – back from a brief absence rallied the lads in a rout of the coaches of Larchmont United. Larchmont withstood many an attack on their 18 yard area, but hung on in the first half and were only 1-0 down at the break. Indeed, Larchmont upped their possession in the middle third, but could not penetrate the very capable defensive back line – Daniel Winter, Ben Gibson, Ian Campbell and Alex Becker with Chris Rogers deputizing.

With the awesome Chris Fernandez, behind them the back line shut out Larchmont giving Chris only a couple of saves to make in the whole game, and plying high in his area Chris’s phenomenal punt was the starting point of many counter attacks.

But it was the half time chat from Moggsy that amalgamated the lads purpose, asking for an early goal that he himself delivered did for Larchmont. Moggsy went on to get his third before handing off the attacking duties. Fabian obliged with the lads fourth, and Paul Jesman – ever the target of nibbling and digging at his ankles, was brought down in the box and accordingly buried the penalty – straight down the middle with power, giving the goalie no chance.

Unbeaten still after 4.

Photography by Terra Simms

The sometime bastard stepchild of the Dinamo Football Club has come of age, let go of the chip on the shoulder, cut way back on the self mutilation and finally recognized that Mum & Dad love all their children equally.

The team is gelling nicely with a few surprise leaders emerging – of course, founding father Roddy Jessup is an anchor,  and Fabian Pantoja has been with us since the heady days when Dinamo Red Star played in the Minor Division. Sophomore Chris Hernandez tended goal for Dinamo Zenit in their debut season, and Chris Rogers is one of a few lads who has played on all the teams,  but it is Daniel Winters’ who has stepped up and called the shots.

The Sputs are 2-1-0 and have already put perennial serious contenders Parkide to the sword and were unlucky to only tie with Echo Park. Onward, upward and all that.

Terra did the two game day, kudos to her for the brilliant work.