Challenge

The Betsy Stadium
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Yu Jie Xing got the match started through his kick off. Joel Gaona might have been able to make a better finish in the 8th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Clive Holloway. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Joel Gaona ran back to his position shaking his head. Joel Gaona sent away a hard shot on goal in the 10th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Clive Holloway made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 15th minute of play. The corner led Mexico's Joel Gaona to fire away a dangerous shot which Clive Holloway despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. In the 19th match minute, Staffordshire Terrier FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Andrew Harrison to maneuver through the defense. 21 minutes into the match, Staffordshire Terrier FC's goal looked a bit too open when Lautaro Mancebo came free, but Clive Holloway reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. If Yu Jie Xing had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 23rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Clive Holloway made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 27th minute of play. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Matt Sullivan in the 29th minute of play. Brice Gamble hit a great freekick 30 minutes into the match. Joel Gaona kicked well hit freekick during the 32nd minute of the match. If Matt Sullivan had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 33rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 36th minute of play forced Staffordshire Terrier FC's goalkeeper Clive Holloway to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Clive Holloway made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 38th minute of play. In the 39th minute Mexico were awarded a corner. Joel Gaona went to the cornerflag to take it. Yu Jie Xing recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 43rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal.

A collision led to Staffordshire Terrier FC getting a freekick after 56 minutes play. Jonathan Gervaso hit a great ball. Joel Gaona's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Clive Holloway read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 56th minute of play. When Andrew Harrison fell near the penalty area in the 61st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Staffordshire Terrier FC's protests and gave Andrew Harrison a yellow card for diving instead. Andrew Harrison hit a great freekick 61 minutes into the match. With a little luck, Staffordshire Terrier FC's Clive Holloway got control of the ball when Alberto Tafalla tried to sneak it across the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Alberto Tafalla in the 69th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Clive Holloway prevented the ball from getting in the gole. When Alberto Tafalla came up free with the goalie in the 71st minute, the Mexico 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 Alberto Tafalla couldn't finish the play. Staffordshire Terrier FC's Jay Flack was substituted for Ferdinando Braccia. Lautaro Mancebo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 84th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 89th minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Clive Holloway saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 91 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Lorenzo Cazalla. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alex Zanardi in the 92nd minute of play. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 95th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When the referee blew the final whistle, you could see the dissatisfaction in the Mexico players' eyes. They were disappointed they hadn't taken more from the game.