League

Mendham Park
Spectators: 6716 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1716, VIP seats: 0) Watsonville FC's Sherwood Hinkle started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Solomon Duff made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sherwood Hinkle in the 6th minute of play. A collision led to Mendham FC getting a freekick after 6 minutes play. Damien Jefferson hit a great ball. Sherwood Hinkle fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 8th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Solomon Duff having to interfere. Sherwood Hinkle struck a weak shot in the 10th minute. Solomon Duff didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Watsonville FC. The audience was convinced that Sean Hagen's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Matthew Holbrook was relentless in the 14th minute of the game. In the 24th match minute, Watsonville FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Edgardo Gaines to maneuver through the defense. Stanford McDonough took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 25th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Matthew Holbrook. Watsonville FC's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Matthew Holbrook took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Sean Hagen, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 28 played minutes Watsonville FC got a freekick which was hit by Harry Singh. Matthew Holbrook made a fantastic save in the 34th minute, when Freddy Cadena sent off a good shot on target. Matthew Holbrook showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Sean Hagen in the 36th minute of the match. Sherwood Hinkle sent away a hard shot on goal in the 38th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After some fancy dribbling in the 41st minute, Steve Ball managed to get in a good position for a shot. Watsonville FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Steve Ball was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Solomon Duff breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Sherwood Hinkle in the 43rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Solomon Duff saved Mendham FC from getting behind.

Solomon Duff took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Sherwood Hinkle, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Logan Eason struck a weak shot in the 57th minute. Solomon Duff didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Watsonville FC. In the 58th minute, Dane Eubanks hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Sergio Roth had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 59th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Solomon Duff made a fantastic save in the 63rd minute, when Sergio Roth sent off a good shot on target. Sherwood Hinkle received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 68th minute. Solomon Duff tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Sergio Roth had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 70th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 71st minute of the game. One of Mendham FC:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Watsonville FC:s goal. The goalkeeper, Solomon Duff, was totally fooled by Watsonville FC's Edgardo Gaines, who 73 minutes into the game made a penalty shot that went in on the goalkeeper's left side. If Sherwood Hinkle had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 77th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 79th minute Sherwood Hinkle shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Solomon Duff saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The supporters of Watsonville FC booed when Mendham FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 80 match minutes in a wonderful position. Flint Cagle didn't get a good kick on the ball. Sergio Roth fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 81st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Solomon Duff having to interfere. Mendham FC's Solomon Duff played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Sherwood Hinkle in the 84th minute of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 86th minute, Sergio Roth managed to get in a good position for a shot. Watsonville FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Sergio Roth was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Solomon Duff breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 88 minutes into the match, Mendham FC's goal looked a bit too open when Sherwood Hinkle came free, but Solomon Duff reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Sergio Roth was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 93rd minute. Watsonville FC's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. After having played for 95 minutes, Sherwood Hinkle managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Watsonville FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Sherwood Hinkle was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Sergio Roth had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 98th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Watsonville FC's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.