Above left the home team, Westport Football Club and right the UN football team.

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Anyone thinking the annual Football (Soccer in the US) match between the visiting United Nations team and our Westport Football Club, formerly known as the Westport Late Nights would be a competitive but somewhat casual game would not have expected the intensity of play between these long-time fierce rivals. Tremendous efforts by both clubs resulted in a hard played match with lots of contact and physical play.

The UN team came out strong, scoring 3 goals to zero in the first half. Westport FC fought back hard scoring all of their seven goals in the second half. The efforts were not quite enough as the UN team added another six goals to their first half total of three. Westport's goalie, Brian Kane suffered a game-ending injury early in the second period. After feeling something not right in his leg, he ignored the possible injury and continued to fight. A strong goal kick a few minutes into the second half caused his knee to fail completely and Westport EMS responded to the call, bringing Kane to the hospital where it was determined that he required surgery.

Westport scorers were led by Michael Nowakowski with 3 goals followed by Cat Pavel, who added 2 more. Peter Dorgai and Marius Jasinski each contributed 1 goal. Westport was coached by Damien McClave.

The UN Team scoring was well balanced, led by Harwan from Yemen with 3 goals, followed by AJ from Nigeria/USA, and Marcelo from Brazil scoring 2 goals apiece. Adding 1 goal each were Felipe from Brazil and Marcus from the US.

Aliamane Bacar Said, UN Soccer Team coach, complimented Westport on their fine play. Upon hearing of Kane's injury from WestportLocalPress, coach Said asked to relay his concern and hopes for a speedy recovery for the Westport goalie. Coach Said, who hails from the Comoros Islands also expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome the UN visitors received from the people of Westport.

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.