After an exciting May where Lansdowne won their 2nd EPSL Metro Conference title, Lansdowne Yonkers will kick off June immediately with a 1st round playoff matchup against 4th seed Doxa FCW on June 1st, 8 PM kickoff at Tibbetts Brook Park. Lansdowne Yonkers have won all their last 9 consecutive meetings with Doxa, dating back to 2020, but this doesn’t take away the fact that Doxa are the only club outside of Lansdowne and the Pancyprians to have won a local league title since 2018, winning the Metro Conference in 2022.
Doxa FCW, managed by Paul Grafas, struggled in the start of the 2023-24 EPSL season, but managed enough consistent results to qualify for the postseason on literally the last match day, and gave every top side a difficult challenge. Founded in 1962, the club of Greek American played for many years calling Gaelic Park home, more known across the Irish Diaspora as the haven for Gaelic Sports, but entertaining thousands of Greek American spectators in the age before satellite television. Doxa’s club President, Peter Legakis, for some years played for St. Barnabas GFC, and made multiple tours to Ireland.
Doxa was the last club to have defeated Lansdowne Yonkers before their historic 483-day unbeaten streak between 2020 and 2022, where the Bhoys picked up a total of 10 trophies in that stretch including the EPSL double, and the National Amateur and Fricker Cups. In 2021, Lansdowne broke Doxa’s perfect start to the 2021-22 season with a 3-2 victory over the black and yellow in New Rochelle, but couldn’t stop them from winning the Conference title that season. The 2 clubs have some of the most exciting matches, garnering plenty of spectators in the seats and thousands of viewers online. Former Wales U16 Defender Eddie Speed played for both clubs and won a conference title from both sides.
The clubs for the most part have plenty of respect for each other in the good spirit of competition. “We know how difficult an opponent Doxa will be. Every year in the EPSL they’ve been perennial contenders. The coach deserves a lot of respect for his consistency. Our Job is purely focused on us and ensuring we produce football in these crucial matches.” remarked Matt Kane, who has had to manage multiple 2nd half comebacks from Doxa in the past. Doxa manager Paul Grafas had his fair share of nice things to say about Lansdowne “We are playing the proven best semi-pro team of the last decade…I have utmost respect for the hard-working board and players. Congratulations to Lansdowne for winning the league, and we will give it our all this upcoming Saturday. To be in the top four in the EPSL is a huge accomplishment, earning and fighting for the spots since the beginning of September. We look down on no one. To put on the Black and Yellow you must understand the expectations before putting on the shirt.”
You can attend the match Saturday at Tibbetts at 8pm for free or watch the livestream online on New Logical Sports.
