League

Thomsons Stadium
Spectators: 7910 (Terracing: 6000, Seating: 1750, VIP seats: 160) Matthew Trent blasted a shot towards the goal in the 4th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Andrei Manciulea having to make a save. Russell Seals charged in rather forcefully in the 6th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Russell Seals the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Russell Seals kicked well hit freekick during the 6th minute of the match. Andrei Manciulea took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Virgil Dahlstrom, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a little luck, Gates's Andrei Manciulea got control of the ball when Anton Best tried to sneak it across the goal line. 13 minutes into the game, Anton Best recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Andrei Manciulea. Anton Best showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. A hard shot 17 in the game by Anton Best from a close distance when the talented Andrei Manciulea managed to make a qualified save. Gates's players were relieved. Thanks to some nice moves Anton Best could shoot a difficult shot in the 19th minute, which Andrei Manciulea however easily saved by the left post. Lonnie Blankenship showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Douglas DeJesus in the 20th minute of the match. In the 21st minute, Douglas DeJesus hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Anton Best's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Andrei Manciulea firmly grabbed it by the left post. Anton Best who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 27thth minute tested the skills of Andrei Manciulea when he managed to save the team from getting behind. In the 38th minute Marlon Vilter shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Lonnie Blankenship saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Andrei Manciulea had in the 45thth minute some difficulties stopping Preston Simons's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Anton Best to strike the kick off in the second half. In the 56th minute Virgil Dahlstrom shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Andrei Manciulea saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Marlon Vilter got free with Lonnie Blankenship in the 57th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Lonnie Blankenship stood somewhat misplaced when Marlon Vilter came free in front of goal and shot 1-1 to the left of him in the 57 minute. When Virgil Dahlstrom came up free with the goalie in the 61st minute, the Colonie FC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Virgil Dahlstrom couldn't finish the play. After a rather tough play, Gates's Erik Adkins got a free kick in the 65th minute. After having played for 66 minutes, Preston Simons managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Colonie FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Preston Simons was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 70 minutes into the match, Gates's goal looked a bit too open when Anton Best came free, but Andrei Manciulea reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 72nd minute, Douglas DeJesus ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Lonnie Blankenship was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-2. Andrei Manciulea made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Virgil Dahlstrom in the 79th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Colonie FC's Preston Simons got a free kick in the 85th minute. After 88 minutes, Paolo Atarratze mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Gates and the Colonie FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to Gates getting a freekick after 88 minutes play. Paolo Atarratze hit a great ball. 89 minutes into the match, Gates's goal looked a bit too open when Virgil Dahlstrom came free, but Andrei Manciulea reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Matthew Trent in the 92nd minute of play forced Gates's goalkeeper Andrei Manciulea to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Paolo Atarratze was shown his second yellow card after 92 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. In the 93rd minute, Paolo Atarratze hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After some fancy dribbling in the 94th minute, Anton Best managed to get in a good position for a shot. Colonie FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Anton Best was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Andrei Manciulea breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Colonie FC's supporters were delighted with their team's performance and swarmed onto the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate the victory with the players.