League

Lake Odessa Park
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Nicky Neal made the kick off which started today's match. Brendon Bragg showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Freddie McNamara in the 6th minute of the match. 8 minutes into the match, Houston FC's goal looked a bit too open when Loren Dempsey came free, but Zane Dickens reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Nicky Neal received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 12th minute. Brendon Bragg tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Jack Gorman lost his temper 14 minutes into the game and shoved another player to the ground. He was immediately shown a red card. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 13th minute of the game. One of Houston FC:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Lake Odessa AFC:s goal. Jake Kauffman could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 22nd minute of the match, but Zane Dickens made a huge save. In the 27th minute Jared Zeigler shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Zane Dickens saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when A.J. Moody got free with Zane Dickens in the 28th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The supporters of Lake Odessa AFC booed when Houston FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 31 match minutes in a wonderful position. Freddie McNamara didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 34 minutes of play, Lake Odessa AFC's Jake Kauffman made it 2-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Zane Dickens was left in no man's land by his defense there! After 39 minutes of play, Houston FC's Nicky Neal made it 2-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Brendon Bragg was left in no man's land by his defense there! Theodore Bell got a throw-in 44 minutes in the game and the ball was received by A.J. Moody. The audience thought a goal was coming when A.J. Moody got free with Zane Dickens in the 47th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-1 at half-time.

The wind increased when Loren Dempsey made the kick off in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Loren Dempsey left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Lake Odessa AFC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 3-1. Nicky Neal might have been able to make a better finish in the 55th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Brendon Bragg. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Nicky Neal ran back to his position shaking his head. After a defensive mix-up in Lake Odessa AFC's zone, Laurence Cardoso stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Brendon Bragg came out of the goal and Laurence Cardoso tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Brendon Bragg showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Fabian Koenig in the 61st minute of the match. Loren Dempsey's late challenge caught a Houston FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Loren Dempsey helped the player get up and apologised. In the 64th match minute, Lake Odessa AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Loren Dempsey to maneuver through the defense. In the 73rd minute Loren Dempsey shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Zane Dickens saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 77 minutes into the game, Wes Burch threw the ball into play from the sideline. Houston FC's Laurence Cardoso quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. Brendon Bragg took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nicky Neal, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Zane Dickens showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Loren Dempsey in the 83rd minute of the match. Zane Dickens took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jake Kauffman, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Nicky Neal received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 87th minute. Brendon Bragg tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 88th minute, Fabian Koenig managed to get in a good position for a shot. Houston FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Fabian Koenig was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Brendon Bragg breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After 89 played minutes Lake Odessa AFC got a freekick which was hit by Wes Burch. Laurence Cardoso sent away a hard shot on goal in the 95th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Houston FC's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.