League

East Ridge
Spectators: 6704 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1704, VIP seats: 0) Essex's Youssef Harkat got a good chance for a goal in the 3rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Mebarek Kermali scored 0-1 in the 5th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Mohamed Ben Ahmed Belloumi, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Hamid Dziri showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Moulay Fergani, who was totally free with the ball in the 12th minute. In the 14th minute the ball was on its way in behind East Ridge FC's goalkeeper Mohamed Ben Ahmed Belloumi, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 15th minute, Mebarek Kermali left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Essex fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-2. Hamid Dziri made a fantastic save in the 25th minute, when Abdellah Sellal sent off a good shot on target. The crowd rose to their feet as East Ridge FC's Abdellah Sellal slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Hamid Dziri. That made the score 1-2 after 28 minutes of play. Mebarek Kermali fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 31st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Mohamed Ben Ahmed Belloumi having to interfere. Mohamed Ben Ahmed Belloumi made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Youssef Harkat in the 34th minute of play. Moulay Fergani sent away a hard shot on goal in the 40th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Abdellah Sellal struck a weak shot in the 43rd minute. Hamid Dziri didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for East Ridge FC. After a defensive mix-up in East Ridge FC's zone, Youssef Harkat stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Mohamed Ben Ahmed Belloumi came out of the goal and Youssef Harkat tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 46th minute, Mebarek Kermali 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. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 1-3 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Moulay Fergani was the one to do the kick off. After some fancy dribbling in the 51st minute, Mebarek Kermali managed to get in a good position for a shot. Essex's supporters rose to their feet, but Mebarek Kermali was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Mohamed Ben Ahmed Belloumi breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After a defensive mix-up in East Ridge FC's zone, Youssef Harkat stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Mohamed Ben Ahmed Belloumi came out of the goal and Youssef Harkat tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Mebarek Kermali fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 54th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Mohamed Ben Ahmed Belloumi having to interfere. 58 minutes into the match, Essex's Youssef Harkat sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Mohamed Ben Ahmed Belloumi narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After 59 minutes, Daniel Mansouri mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the East Ridge FC and the Essex players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to East Ridge FC getting a freekick after 59 minutes play. Daniel Mansouri hit a great ball. Hamid Dziri made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Abdellah Sellal in the 61st minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Mebarek Kermali in the 65th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Mohamed Ben Ahmed Belloumi saved East Ridge FC from getting behind. Moulay Fergani fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 68th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Hamid Dziri having to interfere. Abdellah Sellal fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 72nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Hamid Dziri having to interfere. 73 minutes into the game, Sid Ahmed Ouadah was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Essex's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave East Ridge FC the free kick. In the 74th match minute, Essex was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sid Ahmed Ouadah to maneuver through the defense. In the 82nd minute, Abdelhamid Aggoune hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Abdellah Sellal in the 83rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Hamid Dziri prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Mohamed Ben Ahmed Belloumi showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Mebarek Kermali in the 85th minute of the match. Moulay Fergani might have been able to make a better finish in the 89th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Hamid Dziri. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Moulay Fergani ran back to his position shaking his head. Essex's Hamid Dziri played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Moulay Fergani in the 94th minute of play. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Essex eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.