League

Starkville Stadium
Spectators: 6773 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1773, VIP seats: 0) Starkville's William Dotson 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. After a defensive mix-up in Starkville's zone, Troy Mitchell stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Titus Peoples came out of the goal and Troy Mitchell tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Bennett Phillips sent away a hard shot on goal in the 7th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 9 minutes of play, Houston Rockets's Troy Mitchell made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Titus Peoples was left in no man's land by his defense there! Bennett Phillips recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 15th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 17 minutes into the match, Bennett Phillips had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Titus Peoples. Starkville's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Bennett Phillips was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. Titus Peoples stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Troy Mitchell's shot from short distance in the 22nd minute. Titus Peoples took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Troy Mitchell, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Troy Mitchell in the 29th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Titus Peoples saved Starkville from getting behind. After 30 minutes, Corey Uster mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Starkville and the Houston Rockets players grew even worse after the yellow card. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Troy Mitchell in the 31st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Titus Peoples prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Bennett Phillips's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Titus Peoples read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 37th minute of play. Stephan Houston recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 38th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 41st minute, Mitchell Rutledge hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 47 minutes into the match, Houston Rockets's Troy Mitchell sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Titus Peoples narrowly saved just below the crossbar. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-2.

Troy Mitchells short, quick shot in the 57thth minute got Titus Peoples to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Troy Mitchell fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 59th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Titus Peoples having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Starkville's zone, Troy Mitchell stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Titus Peoples came out of the goal and Troy Mitchell tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After having played for 64 minutes, Bennett Phillips managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Houston Rockets's supporters crossed their fingers, but Bennett Phillips was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 67th minute, one of Starkville:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Starkville. The goalkeeper, Titus Peoples, was totally fooled by Houston Rockets's Tony Koehler, who 69 minutes into the game made a penalty shot that went in on the goalkeeper's left side. A hard shot 72 in the game by Troy Mitchell from a close distance when the talented Titus Peoples managed to make a qualified save. Starkville's players were relieved. In the 78th minute, William Dotson hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 81st minute Mitchell Rutledge shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sterling House saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Starkville's zone, Bennett Phillips stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Titus Peoples came out of the goal and Bennett Phillips tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. A hard shot 85 in the game by Troy Mitchell from a close distance when the talented Titus Peoples managed to make a qualified save. Starkville's players were relieved. Troy Mitchell's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 88thth minute, Titus Peoples skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. If Bennett Phillips had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 89th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Troy Mitchell's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 91stth minute, Titus Peoples skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Troy Mitchell received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 97th minute. Titus Peoples tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Houston Rockets's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.