The Greater Binghamton FC team boarded the bus to Cleveland for its season opener with only eleven field players and two goalkeepers due to injuries and missing international players waiting league approval.

GBFC Players took the field walking into the unknown territory of the new NPSL league having to prove its competitiveness and the players did just that with their performance which demonstrated an excellent competitive spirit.
They started the game brilliantly using a possession game which helped the team take the lead in the 30th minute when Matt Kristek finished Ermin Corbic’ s pass from the left end line. Kristek came close to making it 2-0 when he nearly intercepted Cleveland's goalkeeper pass. Jaison Clark doubled the lead in the 40th minute when he converted Joel Collins’ low cross from the right flank. GBFC’ s solid defending limited Cleveland to long range shots and one good scoring chance in the first half.

GBFC continued the positive play in the second and through the 70th minute. It was this time of the game when GBFC under manned squad was yet to be tested further. Right back Nathan Studgeon, who started the game nursing an injured groin, was unable to continue and was subbed out of the game.   
Cleveland’s Tyler Johnson converted a controversial PK to pull within one in the 80th minute.

Soon after, forward Ermin Corbic had to be subbed out with a calf injury and goalkeeper Logan Calvey got the call to replace him.  Cleveland continued to pressure for the equalizer but the GBFC collective defending was holding strong.  Goalkeeper Stenta was called to make a superb save off a Cleveland header and to also splendidly handle several crosses and corner kicks. 

Cleveland saw one of their shots come off the post.

There were ten seconds left in stoppage time when the GBFC was denied the win when a long ball penetrated the area and the GBFC defensive clearance was ricocheted into the path of Ruairidh Winters who, from ten yards out, did find the net. 

Overall it was a good competitive match by both teams and a good first step forward for GBFC.

Contact: General Manager Bill Arno (607-725-6775; warno@stny.rr.com)

The Greater Binghamton Futbol Club defeated the Pocono (Pa.) Snow 6-1 in an preseason exhibition soccer match played today at the Greater Binghamton Sports Complex Dome Field before an estimated enthusiastic crowd of 300 supporters.

Both teams are members of the amateur National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

Former U-E player Chris Riley had a hand in the GBFC’s first two goals as it was his corner kick that Sergey Molchanovich put away for the opening goal while Riley upped the margin by converting a penalty kick with 17 minutes left in the first half.

The visitor’s Shane McFarlane put away a penalty to narrow the margin to 2-1 at halftime.

Molchanovich and Binghamton University striker Luke Halberg both scored in the first 10 minutes of the second half to salt away the match for coach Hristos Dimitriou’s charges. Halberg’s goal was assisted by Ermin Corbic. Corbic would score the final goal of the GBFC opener preceded by sub Bickner Jecrois’ score.

Binghamton recorded 16 shots and nine corner kicks to Pocono’s totals of 7-1 with former BU star Jason Stenta starting in the goal for GBFC.

GBFC is entering its first season of play in the NPSL and will compete in the Midwest Division. The team will travel to Cleveland next Sunday, May 13 in its season opener.
It will entertain the Detroit City Futbol Club in successive outings on May 19-20 at the Greater Binghamton Sports Complex Dome Field.