League

Topton
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Manuel Cunha kicked off to start the match. 5 minutes into the game, Southside USA's Ray Valenzuela nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Gregg Erickson made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. Gregg Erickson made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gerardo Cote in the 8th minute of play. When Ray Valenzuela came up free with the goalie in the 9th minute, the Southside USA 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 Ray Valenzuela couldn't finish the play. Jonah Bates made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ronny Handy in the 11th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ronny Handy in the 12th minute of play forced Southside USA's goalkeeper Jonah Bates to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ray Valenzuela's late challenge caught a Topton's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Ray Valenzuela helped the player get up and apologised. In the 13th match minute, Southside USA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ray Valenzuela to maneuver through the defense. Maurice Freeman sent away a hard shot on goal in the 16th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Gerardo Cote received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 19th minute. Gregg Erickson tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Jonah Bates showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ronny Handy in the 22nd minute of the match. Gregg Erickson showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gerardo Cote in the 25th minute of the match. Ray Valenzuela fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 27th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Gregg Erickson having to interfere. 29 minutes into the match, Topton's goal looked a bit too open when Ray Valenzuela came free, but Gregg Erickson reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 33rd minute Ronny Handy shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jonah Bates saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After some fancy dribbling in the 34th minute, Playo Moreno managed to get in a good position for a shot. Southside USA's supporters rose to their feet, but Playo Moreno was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Gregg Erickson breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. A collision led to Topton getting a freekick after 43 minutes play. Percy Riker hit a great ball. Manuel Cunha sent away a hard shot on goal in the 45th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Jonah Bates made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ronny Handy in the 47th minute of play.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Ronny Handy was the one to do the kick off. Jonah Bates took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ronny Handy, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Southside USA's Jonah Bates played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Maurice Freeman in the 55th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Southside USA's Xavier Sierra got a free kick in the 56th minute. Maurice Freeman's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Jonah Bates read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 58th minute of play. The supporters of Topton booed when Southside USA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 62 match minutes in a wonderful position. Scott Hanna didn't get a good kick on the ball. 64 minutes into the match, Topton's Maurice Freeman sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Jonah Bates narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Ray Valenzuela got his second yellow card in the match during the 67th minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. If Manuel Cunha had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 71st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 76th minute Ronny Handy shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jonah Bates saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Gregg Erickson showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Playo Moreno, who was totally free with the ball in the 77th minute. Southside USA's Playo Moreno got a good chance for a goal in the 85th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After some careless play in the Southside USA defense, Maurice Freeman kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Jonah Bates. The Southside USA fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Jonah Bates should have stopped the shot. Jonah Bates showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Maurice Freeman, who was totally free with the ball in the 95th minute. The Topton support was delighted with a win in a match that could easily have ended differently.