League

Moss Beach
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Lenny Monroe kicked off to start the match. If Glen Ewing had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. A collision led to Moss Beach FC getting a freekick after 6 minutes play. Gordon Weston hit a great ball. Tanner Blue showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lenny Monroe, who was totally free with the ball in the 9th minute. Lenny Monroe fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 13th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Tanner Blue having to interfere. Gordon Weston fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 17th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Vince Velazquez having to interfere. After having played for 19 minutes, Denis McDaniel managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Moss Beach FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Denis McDaniel was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Denis McDaniel might have been able to make a better finish in the 25th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Vince Velazquez. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Denis McDaniel ran back to his position shaking his head. Gabriel Barger kicked well hit freekick during the 29th minute of the match. Denis McDaniel's late challenge caught a Des Plaines River Rats's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Denis McDaniel helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Des Plaines River Rats booed when Moss Beach FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 31 match minutes in a wonderful position. Denis McDaniel didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 33rd minute, Leif Combs 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. Gordon Weston hit a great freekick 34 minutes into the match. Tanner Blue took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lenny Monroe, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Gordon Weston's late challenge caught a Des Plaines River Rats's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Gordon Weston helped the player get up and apologised. Gordon Weston kicked well hit freekick during the 37th minute of the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 42nd minute, Glen Ewing managed to get in a good position for a shot. Des Plaines River Rats's supporters rose to their feet, but Glen Ewing was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Tanner Blue breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Lenny Monroe sent away a hard shot on goal in the 44th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Tanner Blue made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lenny Monroe in the 49th minute of play. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

Glen Ewing received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 53rd minute. Tanner Blue tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 58th of the match, Lenny Monroe tried to place the ball in the upper right corner, but Tanner Blue got in the way and made a wonderful save. Des Plaines River Rats's Vince Velazquez played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Denis McDaniel in the 64th minute of play. In the 65th minute, Des Plaines River Rats's Rene Ng ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Tanner Blue. Tanner Blue yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 0-1. When Des Plaines River Rats's Lenny Monroe in the 74th minute got a chance for a shot 74th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Moss Beach FC's goalie prevented a goal. 75 minutes into the match, Des Plaines River Rats's Glen Ewing sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Tanner Blue narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 77th minute, Lenny Monroe reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Tanner Blue. The goal made the score 0-2. Tanner Blue made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lenny Monroe in the 83rd minute of play. Lenny Monroe might have been able to make a better finish in the 89th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Tanner Blue. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Lenny Monroe ran back to his position shaking his head. When Nolan Christian fell near the penalty area in the 91st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Moss Beach FC's protests and gave Nolan Christian a yellow card for diving instead. Nolan Christian kicked well hit freekick during the 91st minute of the match. After a rather tough play, Moss Beach FC's Denis McDaniel got a free kick in the 95th minute. Glen Ewing came free with the goalkeeper in the 96th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Tanner Blue could save by the left post. If Lenny Monroe had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 98th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Des Plaines River Rats walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.