League

Vernon Hills
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Todd Carmona kicked off to start the match. After a rather tough play, Saranda's Jesus Beltre got a free kick in the 2nd minute. After 3 played minutes, Vernon Hills's Elias Lowe shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Jack Barbour 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 Vernon Hills reached it. If Wade Powell had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 9th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 15 minutes, Wade Powell mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Vernon Hills and the Saranda players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 15 played minutes Vernon Hills got a freekick which was hit by Wade Powell. An unexpectedly hard shot by Thanh Mayberry in the 17th minute of play forced Vernon Hills's goalkeeper Garth Eason to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 23 minutes into the match, Vernon Hills's goal looked a bit too open when Myles Chase came free, but Garth Eason reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 25 played minutes, Saranda's Rodolfo Childs shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Garth Eason 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 Saranda reached it. 26 minutes into the game, Xavier Tatum was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Saranda's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Vernon Hills the free kick. Vernon Hills's Tomas Waters was substituted for Brandon Moran. In the 28th match minute, Saranda was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Xavier Tatum to maneuver through the defense. Vernon Hills's attack was well implemented in the 29th minute, but when Todd Carmona was about to shoot he didn't get a good hit on the ball and it hit the crossbar and flew over. Goal Kick. In the 34th minute of the match Tad Jamison shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Jack Barbour showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Dario Meredith took the ball and in the 36 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Garth Eason. Garth Eason dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. An unexpectedly hard shot by Todd Carmona in the 44th minute of play forced Saranda's goalkeeper Jack Barbour to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Garth Eason showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Myles Chase in the 46th minute of the match. The Vernon Hills players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Saranda were winning 0-1.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Myles Chase to make the kick off. In the 56th minute of the match Rodolfo Childs sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Garth Eason skillfully saved the ball. With a little luck, Vernon Hills's Garth Eason got control of the ball when Dario Meredith tried to sneak it across the goal line. Myles Chases short, quick shot in the 65thth minute got Garth Eason to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. 66 minutes into the match, Wade Powell had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Jack Barbour. Saranda's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Wade Powell was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1. An unexpectedly hard shot by Todd Carmona in the 74th minute of play forced Saranda's goalkeeper Jack Barbour to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of Saranda booed when Vernon Hills was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 80 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tomas Waters didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 81st minute, Myles Chase fired away a shot on goal. He put a little to much spin on the ball and sent it just wide of the right post. The audience thought a goal was coming when Thanh Mayberry got free with Garth Eason in the 85th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Jack Barbour showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Todd Carmona in the 89th minute of the match. The Vernon Hills supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching Saranda's performance. The match ended with a win for Saranda.