NY Pancyprian blanks Manhattan Celtic 2-0 to mount on top of the League

Yannick Reyering and Chris Megaloudis net one in each half for NY Pancyprian as they mount on top of the League entering the winter break.

NY Pancyprian Freedoms top the first round of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League after defeating Manhattan Celtic 2-0 Saturday night at Randall's Island. 

Reyering was on target midway in the first half to give Pancyprian the lead before Megaloudis' 80th minute goal secured the three points for the Freedoms. 

This loss holds Manhattan in sixth place in the league.

Despite the absence of some key players-- few players were resting for the National Cup final against Lansdowne Bhoys on Wednesday-- Pancyprian took the lead in the 20th minute.

Reyering smashed Panagiotis Halkidis' pass away from Celtic keeper Ryan Katzfey. Reyering has scored four goals in his last three games.

The greeks nearly doubled their lead after the half hour mark as Megaloudis was one on one with Katzfey. But the striker failed to put his shot on frame.

The Celtics came out of the break banging on Pancyprian's door for an equalizer. In the 72nd minute of play Takanori Yoshizaki cut in on top of the 18 and whipped one high, after defender Ibrahima Faye had sent him a long ball.

Just three minutes later, Aboubacar Kaba's free kick bounced inches past the post.

NY Pancyprian appeased Manhattan's pressure and managed to get a great opportunity of their own as well. 

Adamantios Mathioudis intercepted Yoshizaki's sloppy pass to Yannick Diese, then hit one from midfield. The ball was on his way to kiss the net. But a well-aware Katzfey hopped back for an easy catch in the dying ten minutes of the match.

The Freedoms' next effort on goal-- seconds later-- was successful. Captain Stelios Andreou's long ball found Megaloudis who sped his way past a sea of Manhattan defenders, and tucked the ball in the near post.

Next up for the Freedoms is the one everyone is waiting for, the National Amateur Cup final against league second place Lansdowne Wednesday night at Belson Stadium. The Freedoms will enter this final without losing a game yet in all competition, tying only once to Lansdowne.

And for Manhattan, they will enjoy a 97 days break before coming back for the second round of the season as they face Everton Westchester FC Eagles on March 20.