League

Soldotna Park
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Tim Downing started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Darin McAlpin fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 4th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Sanford Cullen having to interfere. In the 6th match minute, Soldotna was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Woodrow Carrier to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tim Downing in the 8th minute of play forced Springville's goalkeeper Sanford Cullen to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Soldotna's Nick Ervin played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Kerry Haas in the 10th minute of play. In the 11th minute Tim Downing shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sanford Cullen saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The supporters of Soldotna booed when Springville was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 13 match minutes in a wonderful position. Doug Merchant didn't get a good kick on the ball. The long shot by Johnny Hickman in the 14th minute really tested Sanford Cullen's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. If Tim Downing had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 20th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 25th match minute, Soldotna was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rudolf Bean to maneuver through the defense. 29 minutes into the game, Tim Downing recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Sanford Cullen. Tim Downing showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. Tim Downing fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 32nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Sanford Cullen having to interfere. Soldotna's Nick Ervin played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Kerry Haas in the 35th minute of play. The supporters of Springville booed when Soldotna was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 35 match minutes in a wonderful position. Woodrow Carrier didn't get a good kick on the ball. Kerry Haas struck a weak shot in the 36th minute. Nick Ervin didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Springville. After a rather tough play, Soldotna's Johnny Hickman got a free kick in the 41st minute. Darin McAlpin who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 45thth minute tested the skills of Sanford Cullen when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Tim Downing in the 48th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Sanford Cullen prevented the ball from getting in the gole. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

The wind increased when Kerry Haas made the kick off in the second half. The audience was convinced that Tim Downing's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Sanford Cullen was relentless in the 56th minute of the game. If Tim Downing had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 69th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Darin McAlpin received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 79th minute. Sanford Cullen tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 81 minutes into the match, Soldotna's Tim Downing sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Sanford Cullen narrowly saved just below the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Darin McAlpin in the 82nd minute of play forced Springville's goalkeeper Sanford Cullen to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tim Downing fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 84th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Sanford Cullen having to interfere. Springville's Sanford Cullen played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Darin McAlpin in the 85th minute of play. 88 minutes into the game, Casey Mathis was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Springville's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Soldotna the free kick. A collision led to Springville getting a freekick after 88 minutes play. Casey Mathis hit a great ball. Sanford Cullen showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Darin McAlpin in the 90th minute of the match. In the 96th minute, Tim Downing made a precise shot to the right of Sanford Cullen. Springville's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-0.