League

Stadiumi Besëlidhja
Spectators: 7740 (Terracing: 5806, Seating: 1780, VIP seats: 154) Dennis Lamb made the kick off and thus started the match. Deon Hawthorne's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Rex Strickland read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 8th minute of play. After having played for 9 minutes, Ricky Crews managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Rocky Ford's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ricky Crews was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Deon Hawthorne recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 13th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Ricky Crews sent away a hard shot on goal in the 17th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After some fancy dribbling in the 25th minute, Saul Frederick managed to get in a good position for a shot. Besëlidhja Lezhë's supporters rose to their feet, but Saul Frederick was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Kevin Kirkpatrick breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After a defensive mix-up in Rocky Ford's zone, Saul Frederick stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Kevin Kirkpatrick came out of the goal and Saul Frederick tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Rex Strickland made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ricky Crews in the 34th minute of play. Ricky Crews took the ball and in the 35 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Rex Strickland. Rex Strickland dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. Deon Hawthorne received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 41st minute. Rex Strickland tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 45th minute, Ricky Crews got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. If Ricky Crews had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 47th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

Ricky Crews received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 58th minute. Rex Strickland tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Kevin Kirkpatrick made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dennis Lamb in the 60th minute of play. In the 65th minute, Besëlidhja Lezhë's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Deon Hawthorne fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. After 65 minutes, Shawn Heath mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Besëlidhja Lezhë and the Rocky Ford players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 66 played minutes Besëlidhja Lezhë got a freekick which was hit by Shawn Heath. Everyone was convinced a goal was close when Rocky Ford's Ricky Crews in the 67th minute lifted the ball towards the upper right corner, but Rex Strickland was perfectly placed and prevented a goal for Besëlidhja Lezhë through an amazing save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ricky Crews in the 69th minute of play forced Besëlidhja Lezhë's goalkeeper Rex Strickland to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Darin Wilhelm during the 76th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 76 played minutes Besëlidhja Lezhë got a freekick which was hit by Darin Wilhelm. After recieving a nice pass, Rocky Ford's Nathaniel Randolph tried to score from far away in the 77th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. Deon Hawthorne sent away a hard shot on goal in the 79th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. After a rather tough play, Rocky Ford's Maurice Cornelius got a free kick in the 81st minute. Saul Frederick's late challenge caught a Rocky Ford's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Saul Frederick helped the player get up and apologised. In the 82nd minute, Saul Frederick hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Rocky Ford's Deon Hawthorne got a good chance for a goal in the 90th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Rex Strickland stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Ricky Crews's shot from short distance in the 92nd minute. In the 94th minute, Saul Frederick hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When the match was over Rocky Ford could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Besëlidhja Lezhë throughout the match.