Friendly League

Martin Palermo
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Rodolfo Cordeiro made the kick off which started today's match. Rathmore Lime Tree's Sofyane Valognes played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Miguel Transito in the 10th minute of play. 12 minutes into the game, Honoré Villot threw the ball into play from the sideline. Santa Maradona's Wei Kang Hai quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. After 13 played minutes Rathmore Lime Tree got a freekick which was hit by Flavian Garcon. Miguel Transito might have been able to make a better finish in the 15th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Sofyane Valognes. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Miguel Transito ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 15th minute Miguel Transito shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sofyane Valognes saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 19 minutes, Flavian Garcon made it 1-1 with a short kick to the right side. Santa Maradona's Jonathan Errapel tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. If Miguel Transito had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 22nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 27 minutes into the game, one of Rathmore Lime Tree:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. When Rodolfo Cordeiro came up free with the goalie in the 29th minute, the Santa Maradona 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 Rodolfo Cordeiro couldn't finish the play. 36 minutes into the game, Rodolfo Cordeiro cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-1. Sofyane Valognes was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After a rather tough play, Rathmore Lime Tree's Paul-Émile Brien got a free kick in the 40th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Rodolfo Cordeiro in the 43rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Sofyane Valognes saved Rathmore Lime Tree from getting behind. When Santa Maradona's Miguel Transito in the 46th minute got a chance for a shot 46th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Rathmore Lime Tree's goalie prevented a goal. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-1 at half-time.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Flavian Garcon to strike the kick off in the second half. In the 54th minute, Brandon Pardon hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Haroldo Martxot recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 55th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 58 minutes into the match, Santa Maradona's goalkeeper Jonathan Errapel had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Flavian Garcon. With an all-out effort, Rathmore Lime Tree's Jonathan Errapel threw himself towards the right post 59 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Hervé Annette, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Miguel Transito might have been able to make a better finish in the 62nd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Sofyane Valognes. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Miguel Transito ran back to his position shaking his head. Sofyane Valognes took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rodolfo Cordeiro, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 75 minutes into the match, Rathmore Lime Tree's goal looked a bit too open when Miguel Transito came free, but Sofyane Valognes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Honoré Villot kicked well hit freekick during the 76th minute of the match. After 77 minutes, Paul-Émile Brien mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Rathmore Lime Tree and the Santa Maradona players grew even worse after the yellow card. Paul-Émile Brien hit a great freekick 77 minutes into the match. When the match clock showed 81 minutes, the score became 4-1 when Miguel Transito sped through Rathmore Lime Tree's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Sofyane Valognes. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Miguel Transito in the 95th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Sofyane Valognes saved Rathmore Lime Tree from getting behind. 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. Santa Maradona fully deserved thier win.