League

Cottonwood
Spectators: 6723 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1723, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Damon Ware kicked off to start the match. When Hans Pena fell near the penalty area in the 4th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Scotsguard's protests and gave Hans Pena a yellow card for diving instead. 4 minutes into the game, one of Scotsguard:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. If Clyde Ryder had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 12th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Vincent Ramirez kicked well hit freekick during the 15th minute of the match. Cottonwood FC were awarded a corner in the 18th minute after Scotsguard's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Carl Love took the corner. Clyde Ryder received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 21st minute. Leo Bryant tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Leo Bryant made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Damon Ware in the 24th minute of play. Gilbert Minton didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Léandre Aucoin went, in the 33rd minute, to the upper right corner, 1-1 was the resulting score. A hard shot 36 in the game by Clyde Ryder from a close distance when the talented Leo Bryant managed to make a qualified save. Scotsguard's players were relieved. After a defensive mix-up in Scotsguard's zone, Damon Ware stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Leo Bryant came out of the goal and Damon Ware tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Gilbert Minton made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Léandre Aucoin in the 44th minute of play. In the 48th match minute, Scotsguard was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Pascal Calderon to maneuver through the defense. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Jean Lajeunesse made a kick off. After a defensive mix-up in Cottonwood FC's zone, Léandre Aucoin stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Gilbert Minton came out of the goal and Léandre Aucoin tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 59 minutes into the match, Scotsguard's Jean Lajeunesse sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Gilbert Minton narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Léandre Aucoin might have been able to make a better finish in the 60th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Gilbert Minton. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Léandre Aucoin ran back to his position shaking his head. After 62 played minutes Scotsguard got a freekick which was hit by Vincent Ramirez. In the 70th match minute, Scotsguard was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Pascal Calderon to maneuver through the defense. After 71 played minutes, Cottonwood FC's Carl Love shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Leo Bryant came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Cottonwood FC reached it. Leo Bryant showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Damon Ware, who was totally free with the ball in the 72nd minute. Jean Lajeunesse 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. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Damon Ware in the 93rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Leo Bryant saved Scotsguard from getting behind. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Scotsguard walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.