League

Bessemer Park
Spectators: 6225 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1200, VIP seats: 25) In the 2nd minute of the match Denver Izturis sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Eusebio Ruff skillfully saved the ball. Levi Connors received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 4th minute. Eusebio Ruff tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Luis Marino received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 5th minute. Eusebio Ruff tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Eusebio Ruff took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Levi Connors, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Rolf Richey hit a great freekick 8 minutes into the match. Eusebio Ruff took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Levi Connors, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a defensive mix-up in Nicollet FC's zone, Luis Marino stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Eusebio Ruff came out of the goal and Luis Marino tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 14th minute, Rudolph McFadden hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Freddy Thomason received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 17th minute. Darrel Whalen tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The supporters of Nicollet FC booed when Bakersfield SC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 18 match minutes in a wonderful position. Von Gilbert didn't get a good kick on the ball. Darrel Whalen showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Freddy Thomason in the 24th minute of the match. If Luis Marino had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 31st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. A collision led to Nicollet FC getting a freekick after 37 minutes play. Rolf Richey hit a great ball. In the 40th minute of the match Bakersfield SC got a corner. Nicollet FC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Douglas Sharpe ran over to the corner to take the kick.

Nicollet FC were awarded a corner in the 54th minute after Bakersfield SC's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Rubin Cavazos took the corner. Rene Stroud was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. Freddy Thomason fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 57th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Darrel Whalen having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Bakersfield SC's zone, Freddy Thomason stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Darrel Whalen came out of the goal and Freddy Thomason tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Freddy Thomason received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Darrel Whalen came out and tried to block the shot, but Freddy Thomason slotted it home off the left post making it 0-1 in the 61st minute. Nicollet FC's Eusebio Ruff played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Levi Connors in the 64th minute of play. Nicollet FC's Eusebio Ruff played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luis Marino in the 66th minute of play. Eusebio Ruff came out of the goal in the 68th minute to try and stop a shot by Bakersfield SC's Levi Connors. But to his dismay, Levi Connors quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-1. In a very dangerous position, a player in Nicollet FC fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 70th minute. Penalty! In the 72nd minute there was a penalty for Bakersfield SC. Douglas Sharpe stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Eusebio Ruff. 2-1. Luis Marino took the ball and in the 76 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Eusebio Ruff. Eusebio Ruff dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-1. The referee felt a red card was in order, 80 minutes into the game, when Rubin Cavazos put in a rough tackle. In the 80th minute, one of Nicollet FC: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 Nicollet FC. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Luis Marino in the 87th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Eusebio Ruff prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Luis Marino might have been able to make a better finish in the 90th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Eusebio Ruff. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Luis Marino ran back to his position shaking his head. After some careless play in the Nicollet FC defense, Levi Connors kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Eusebio Ruff. The Nicollet FC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Eusebio Ruff should have stopped the shot. Luis Marino sent away a hard shot on goal in the 95th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Levi Connors had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 98th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. For all the effort they put into the match, the Nicollet FC players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Bakersfield SC.