League

Nice Park
Spectators: 5500 (Terracing: 4250, Seating: 1200, VIP seats: 50) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Joaquin Contreras took the kick off in the first half of the match. 9 minutes into the match, Asheville FC's goalkeeper Francesco Blum had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Blair Day. When Asheville FC's Luke Stephenson in the 12th minute got a chance for a shot 12th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Nice's goalie prevented a goal. 17 minutes into the match, Donny Stiles dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Francesco Blum, 1-0. After 20 played minutes Nice got a freekick which was hit by Thomas Morgan. After a defensive mix-up in Asheville FC's zone, Donny Stiles stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Francesco Blum came out of the goal and Donny Stiles tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Blair Day blasted a shot towards the goal in the 34th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Francesco Blum having to make a save. In the 38th minute Donny Stiles shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Francesco Blum saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 43 minutes into the match, Asheville FC's goalkeeper Francesco Blum had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Leland Puckett. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 3-0.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Donny Stiles to make the kick off. When Boyce Acevedo fell near the penalty area in the 55th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Asheville FC's protests and gave Boyce Acevedo a yellow card for diving instead. 58 minutes into the game, one of Asheville FC:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. If Leland Puckett had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 61st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 63 minutes into the game, Nice's Donny Stiles nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Francesco Blum made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 4-0. Asheville FC's Francesco Blum played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Donny Stiles in the 66th minute of play. If Donny Stiles had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 72nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After some fancy dribbling in the 74th minute, Eldon Olsen managed to get in a good position for a shot. Nice's supporters rose to their feet, but Eldon Olsen was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Francesco Blum breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. A collision led to Asheville FC getting a freekick after 76 minutes play. Joaquin Contreras hit a great ball. 77 minutes into the match, Asheville FC's goal looked a bit too open when Leland Puckett came free, but Francesco Blum reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Francesco Blum showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Leland Puckett, who was totally free with the ball in the 83rd minute. Donny Stiles sent away a hard shot on goal in the 93rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 96 minutes into the match, Nice's Leland Puckett sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Francesco Blum narrowly saved just below the crossbar. If Luke Stephenson had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 97th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. There were very few away supporters still in the ground by the end of the match. Most of them had left early, disgusted by the way their team had been torn apart. Nice fully deserved thier win.