Challenge

Est Rommel Fernández
Spectators: 47 (Terracing: 36, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) Panama's Tomas Berganza 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. Through an outstanding action, after 9 minutes, Sofoklis Prinianakis successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Devon Hook during the 11th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a defensive mix-up in Henley on Thames United's zone, Tomas Berganza stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Sofoklis Prinianakis came out of the goal and Tomas Berganza tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 23rd minute of the match, Tomas Berganza tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Sofoklis Prinianakis saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. The supporters of Henley on Thames United booed when Panama was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 29 match minutes in a wonderful position. Matthew Garrido didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 30 minutes, Kristian Ottaway made it 0-1 with a short kick to the right side. Panama's Marcos Cotilla tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Marcos Cotilla took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Carl Houghton, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The Panama fans' excitement grew in the 37th match minute when Panama's Miguel Miralles looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 1-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. After a rather tough play, Panama's Dylan Sarmiento got a free kick in the 39th minute. In the 40th minute Kristian Ottaway shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marcos Cotilla saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 42nd minute, Jake Marriott left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Henley on Thames United fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-2. After the first half Henley on Thames United were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Kristian Ottaway made a kick off. Tomas Berganza recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 52nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Abraham Alguacil hit a great freekick 53 minutes into the match. 54 minutes into the match, Panama's goal looked a bit too open when Carl Houghton came free, but Marcos Cotilla reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 56th minute Tomas Berganza shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sofoklis Prinianakis saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Isidoro Sarmiento kicked well hit freekick during the 56th minute of the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Carl Houghton got free with Marcos Cotilla in the 58th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Marcos Cotilla made an important save on a dangerous shot by Carl Houghton in the 59th minute. After a defensive mix-up in Henley on Thames United's zone, Abraham Alguacil stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Sofoklis Prinianakis came out of the goal and Abraham Alguacil tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 67th minute Abraham Alguacil shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sofoklis Prinianakis saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Marcos Cotilla was a little too slow when Carl Houghton got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 68th minute. The score was now 1-3. The audience thought a goal was coming when Grant Sherwood got free with Marcos Cotilla in the 76th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The audience thought a goal was coming when Jake Marriott got free with Marcos Cotilla in the 78th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Kristian Ottaway received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Marcos Cotilla came out and tried to block the shot, but Kristian Ottaway slotted it home off the left post making it 1-4 in the 80th minute. Henley on Thames United's Edgar Iovanovici was substituted for Jake Marriott. An unexpectedly hard shot by Kristian Ottaway in the 88th minute of play forced Panama's goalkeeper Marcos Cotilla to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Marcos Cotilla took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Carl Houghton, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The Henley on Thames United supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Henley on Thames United would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.