Haledon Sneaks Into Playoffs With Win

06/05/2005 (Haledon, NJ)

Decimated by injuries and needing a win to make the NJSL playoffs, Haledon managed to tame the Ramsey Rangers 3-1 at home Sunday, and secure a first round matchup with West Division leading Pompton Plains.

Shorthanded, with a makeshift lineup, down to two subs (one badly hampered by injury,) Gregg Rehberger challenged the team to step up or face an early Summer vacation. He ended up putting the team on his back though as he figured in all three of Haledon's goals.

Initially, it appeared things could collapse for the home team. Haledon pressed Ramsey early, but it was visitors who struck first when and unmarked man (Neil--who never fails to score against us) snuck in to head a long cross home in the first half. About five minutes from the break though, a hobbled Brad Smith slotted a through ball to Rehberger who took the ball baseline, drew the keeper out, and touched it back for Scott Shappell to tap in from six yards out.

In the second half, Matt Kastner and the defense had to step up a couple times to keep Ramsey in check between Haledon attacks. Shappell returned the favor to Rehberger when his header off a corner kick rebound found Rehberger who knocked it home as the goalie tackled him. Fifteen minutes later, Rehberger beat two players along the left touch line, and drove in a low cross to Giancarlo Lepore whose side volley put the game out of reach for Ramsey, and Haledon into the playoffs.

Haledon Opponent Scoreless Streak at Three

04/24/2005 (Leonia, NJ)

With only one healthy sub, and playing a tough opponent in their house, Haledon managed a well earned tie at Doxa Sunday.

With six players injured or unable to be at the game, the remaining team dug in its heels early. Haledon started off a little shaky, and Doxa was in their opponents end more often than not during periods of the first half. Goalkeeper Matt Kastner was forced to make a couple saves, one a spectacular grab.

Haledon eventually started to settle down, and by the second half was gaining control of the game and creating dangerous chances around the Doxa goal. They were never able to punch it through however, and had to settle for their third shutout of the spring season in a terrific defensive display.

Haledon Scores Second Shutout of Spring

04/17/2005 (Haledon, NJ)

Playing against and undermanned Emeralds squad, Haledon was due for their usual spring meltdown.

Yet the team managed to take care of business, and in the process score a rare two-game shutout streak by beating the visitors 2-0.

Haledon controlled almost the entire game against an Emeralds team that started with 8 players and didn't reach 10 men until five minutes in. Haledon was knocking on the door consistently from the beginning, but wasn't able to get on the scoresheet until Werner Mashig finished a header off a Frank Piccininni cross about fifteen minutes into the match.

Later in the half, Gregg Rehberger was able to finish a half volley off a ball that was bouncing around in the 18 yard box, and finally popped out to where he was waiting at the 18 yard line.

The defence managed to hold off any serious threats through the whole game, but despite several chances in the second half, the home team would have to settle for the 2 goal output.

Haledon Starts Spring With a Win

04/10/2005 (Haledon, NJ)

It wasn't pretty, but in the end the win was all that mattered.

Playing host to Abay for the second time of the season, and playing for the first time outdoors in 2005, Haledon managed a 1-0 win at home on Sunday.

Haledon started off strong, controlling play the first twenty minutes of the game and creating several good opportunities. The effort was rewarded when Werner Mashig was taken down in the box from behind, thirty five minutes in. The home team was awarded a penalty, but the ball went wide and the sheet stayed clean.

In the second half, Haledon showed some hints of how well they could play at times, but still could not find the back of the net. Finally, after a foul call, the kick that was awarded was put into the box by Brad Smith. The Abay keeper initially had it, but then it popped out of his hands behind him, where Jim McIntyre was able to head it in from a yard out.

Haledon Wins Third in a Row

10/17/2004 (Haledon, NJ)

Haledon won their third win in a row, which also marked their third shutout in a row Sunday.

The team controlled the game, and had a heavy advantage in shots. However, they could not come up with a goal until a Werner Mashig pass was converted by Adam Samples thirty minutes into the game.

In the second half, Haledon continued the onslaught, but kept hitting the woodwork or being stopped by the Emerald's goalkeeper.

Earlier in the day, the Haledon Over- 30 team tied Parsippany 40 1-1.

Haledon Hits Stride Against Abay

10/10/2004 (Haledon, NJ)

In their most complete game of the season both offensively and defensively, Haledon registered a 5-0 shutout versus Abay Sunday.

Haledon looked a little shakey at first, but got progressively stronger getting several chances in the first half they couldn't finish. Finally, Adam Samples converted a long through ball from Brad Smith to put the home team up 1-0. Ten minutes later, he again connected, this time off a long cross from Frank Piccinni. Haledon went into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 lead.

The team wasn't satisfied with with, and fifteen minutes into the second half, Steve Robinson crossed a ball on the ground just inside the 18 yard box, Ken Kneis dummied it and Samples put it home. Haledon continued to pressure, finally putting away an Abay team that had long fallen apart, on goals by Werner Mashig (Piccininni) and Robinson (Jim McIntyre.)

Earlier in the day, the Haledon Over- 30 team also powered their way to a 5-0 win over the Livingston Magpies.

Haledon Registers First Non-Loss of Season

9/26/2004 (Ramsey, NJ)

After starting the season with two tough back to back 2-1 losses at home, Haledon finally got off the schneid Sunday with a 3-3 tie at the Ramsey Rangers.

The Rangers got on the scoreboard quickly, as they caught Haledon flat in the first minute of play. The visitors got their act together though, and began dominating up and down the field. This culminated with a breakaway goal by Adam Samples off a feed from Gregg Rehberger thirty minutes in. Five minutes later, Samples again tallied off a beautiful through ball from Werner Mashig. Five minutes later, Mashig helped Samples complete his hat trick with a nice cross from the left corner that he put past the keeper. Ramsey scored a great shot with under thirty seconds left in the half, making it two goals on two shots for the game.

In the second half, things came apart for Haledon. They pressed at times, but looked unhinged at others. The erratic play culminated in a no-angle goal twenty minutes from the endline that somehow found its way in.

Haledon pressed that last fifteen minutes, creating many opportunities, but finally time ran out and the team had to settle for a tie.

8/29/2004 (Montgomery, NJ)

Haledon prepared to open the 2004-2005 campaign this weekend by participating in the eight team Montgomery United tournament. Haledon looked pretty good in their first chance to evaluate what they have to work with for the upcoming NJSL season. The team advanced out of the first round with a 1-0-2 record, beating the Crandford Rocstars 2-0, tying Empire United 0-0, and Bridgewater SC 1-1. In the semi-final game against Monroe S.C., Haledon finished regulation 0-0, and was defeated 5-4 on penalty kicks.

The team opens the NJSL season on September 12th at home, versus the RD Benders.

Haledon at the Montgomery United Tournament