League

Griswold Stadium
Spectators: 6727 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1727, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Tommy Flanagan started the match with the kick off. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Bruno Melendez during the 3rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 3 played minutes Ninga got a freekick which was hit by Bruno Melendez. In the 11th minute Bruno Melendez shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Robby Escobedo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Robby Escobedo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alden Rudd in the 13th minute of the match. Robby Escobedo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alden Rudd in the 15th minute of play. 22 minutes into the match, Griswold's Tommy Flanagan sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Colombe Lloyd narrowly saved just below the crossbar. If Bruno Melendez had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 24th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of Ninga booed when Griswold was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 26 match minutes in a wonderful position. Millard Hough didn't get a good kick on the ball. Hippolyte McDaniel took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 27th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Robby Escobedo. Griswold's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Ninga's Colombe Lloyd proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 28th minute of the match, managed to save Ninga from getting a goal against them. 30 minutes into the match, Bruno Melendez notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Griswold's Robby Escobedo. Robby Escobedo was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Ninga's Colombe Lloyd played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tommy Flanagan in the 34th minute of play. If Emerson Barger had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 36th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Colombe Lloyd took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tommy Flanagan, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With his leg Colombe Lloyd managed to avoid a goal in the 39thth minute, when Griswold's Emerson Barger fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. 41 minutes into the match, Ninga's goalkeeper Colombe Lloyd had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Emerson Barger. When Ninga's Bruno Melendez in the 47th minute got a chance for a shot 47th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Griswold's goalie prevented a goal. The Griswold players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Ninga were winning 0-1.

Griswold's Robby Escobedo played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Bruno Melendez in the 53rd minute of play. If Tommy Flanagan had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 60th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 75 minutes into the game, Bastien Ames was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Ninga's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Griswold the free kick. In the 76th match minute, Ninga was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Bastien Ames to maneuver through the defense. 78 minutes had been played when some careless play by Ninga's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Scotty Denton was slow to take the kick. During this time Griswold's players had a chance to rest. 81 minutes into the match, Ninga's goal looked a bit too open when Emerson Barger came free, but Colombe Lloyd reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Guadalupe Morris kicked well hit freekick during the 82nd minute of the match. After a rather tough play, Ninga's Cyril Charles got a free kick in the 87th minute. Tommy Flanagan recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 94th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Emerson Barger in the 96th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Colombe Lloyd saved Ninga from getting behind. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Ninga walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.