League

Libertyville Stadium
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Gregory Short kicked off to start the match. Pedro Schmidt made an important save on a dangerous shot by Dario Steele in the 6th minute. Pedro Schmidt was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Stanley Jean showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-0 in the 8 minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gregory Short in the 16th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Pedro Schmidt saved San Jose Sparrows from getting behind. In the 22nd play minute David McKinnon came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Pedro Schmidt. 2-1. When Stephan Spears came up free with the goalie in the 26th minute, the San Jose Sparrows 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 Stephan Spears couldn't finish the play. When San Jose Sparrows's Stephan Spears in the 28th minute got a chance for a shot 28th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Energy FC's goalie prevented a goal. The audience thought a goal was coming when Dario Steele got free with Pedro Schmidt in the 32nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After 33 played minutes San Jose Sparrows got a freekick which was hit by Bennett Clayton. If Stephan Spears had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 39th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jaime Mathews's late challenge caught a San Jose Sparrows's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Jaime Mathews helped the player get up and apologised. After 41 played minutes Energy FC got a freekick which was hit by Jaime Mathews. The supporters of San Jose Sparrows booed when Energy FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 44 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jaime Mathews didn't get a good kick on the ball. After having played for 46 minutes, Thad Hickman managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. San Jose Sparrows's supporters crossed their fingers, but Thad Hickman was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-1 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Stephan Spears to make the kick off. In the 52nd minute of the match San Jose Sparrows got a corner. Energy FC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Stephan Spears ran over to the corner to take the kick. San Jose Sparrows's Stephan Spears was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Woodrow Patrick in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Pedro Schmidt made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from David McKinnon in the 55th minute of play. David McKinnon sent away a hard shot on goal in the 59th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When David McKinnon came up free with the goalie in the 63rd minute, the Energy 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 David McKinnon couldn't finish the play. Ward Shaffer hit a great freekick 65 minutes into the match. Wilbur Romo hit a great freekick 69 minutes into the match. A collision led to San Jose Sparrows getting a freekick after 74 minutes play. Tracy Eason hit a great ball. Sanford Carroll, 75 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. Pedro Schmidt took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from David McKinnon, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After some careless play in the Energy FC defense, Thad Hickman kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Woodrow Patrick. The Energy FC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Woodrow Patrick should have stopped the shot. Thad Hickman received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 81st minute. Woodrow Patrick tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Pedro Schmidt made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gregory Short in the 86th minute of play. Both teams had looked equal from kick-off, and no-one was surprised when the match finally ended in a draw.