League Play-Off

Cooperstown
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) 2 minutes into the match, Arsenal's goalkeeper Duncan Salas had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Mike Parrish. After 4 minutes, Ed McCormick mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Arsenal and the Cooperstown AFC players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Cooperstown AFC booed when Arsenal was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 4 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ed McCormick didn't get a good kick on the ball. Duncan Salas made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Nathaniel Espinoza in the 5th minute of play. When Arsenal's Sammy Cardenas in the 15th minute got a chance for a shot 15th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Cooperstown AFC's goalie prevented a goal. After having played for 26 minutes, Sammy Cardenas managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Arsenal's supporters crossed their fingers, but Sammy Cardenas was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The audience was convinced that Cole Soto's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Maurice Link was relentless in the 29th minute of the game. After 33 played minutes Cooperstown AFC got a freekick which was hit by Noel McGuire. In the 35th minute, Sammy Cardenas got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. 37 minutes into the match, Arsenal's Sammy Cardenas sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Maurice Link narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Cooperstown AFC's Maurice Link played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Sammy Cardenas in the 40th minute of play. After 42 played minutes Cooperstown AFC got a freekick which was hit by Russell Carpenter. Maurice Link took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cole Soto, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The wind increased when Nathaniel Espinoza made the kick off in the second half. Cooperstown AFC's Maurice Link proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 51st minute of the match, managed to save Cooperstown AFC from getting a goal against them. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Philip Hood during the 57th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Philip Hood kicked well hit freekick during the 57th minute of the match. In the 58th minute Mike Parrish shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Duncan Salas saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nathaniel Espinoza in the 59th minute of play forced Arsenal's goalkeeper Duncan Salas to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 60th match minute, Arsenal was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ed McCormick to maneuver through the defense. Mike Parrish fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 61st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Duncan Salas having to interfere. 75 minutes into the game, Cooperstown AFC's Nathaniel Espinoza nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Duncan Salas made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-0. 84 minutes into the match, Cooperstown AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Sammy Cardenas came free, but Maurice Link reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Cole Soto received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 85th minute. Maurice Link tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 86 minutes into the game, one of Cooperstown AFC:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Maurice Link went to the wrong direction when Kirby Pina was taking care of the penalty kick which however missed the goal. Duncan Salas showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Mike Parrish, who was totally free with the ball in the 97th minute. Cooperstown AFC were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Arsenal for a fine match.