League

Desert Garden
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Doug Hewitt made the kick off and thus started the match. Doug Hewitt recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 6th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Doug Hewitt fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 10th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Brian Whaley having to interfere. Curt Dickerson recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 12th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Hunter Bell made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Elias West in the 14th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in Canastota FC's zone, Laurence Benjamin stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Brian Whaley came out of the goal and Laurence Benjamin tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Elias West in the 23rd minute of play forced El Paso FC's goalkeeper Hunter Bell to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When El Paso FC's Doug Hewitt in the 26th minute got a chance for a shot 26th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Canastota FC's goalie prevented a goal. In the 32nd minute, Doug Hewitt 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. After 35 minutes Canastota FC's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Steven Knowles who took care of the corner kick. The corner went over the outstretched arms of Canastota FC's goalie and right to Dustin Simms. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. Canastota FC's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. 39 minutes into the match, Canastota FC's goalkeeper Brian Whaley had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Doug Hewitt. If Dustin Simms had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 40th minute, Doug Hewitt 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. After having played for 42 minutes, Curt Dickerson managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. El Paso FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Curt Dickerson was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Brice Carrington to strike the kick off in the second half. After 54 played minutes Canastota FC got a freekick which was hit by Tom Reeder. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Doug Hewitt in the 57th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Brian Whaley saved Canastota FC from getting behind. Hunter Bell didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 59th minute, which inside left pole to 1-1. In the 63rd minute, Renato Jameson made a precise shot to the right of Brian Whaley. Canastota FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-1. Elias West could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 68th minute of the match, but Hunter Bell made a huge save. Doug Hewitt fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 69th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Brian Whaley having to interfere. The supporters of El Paso FC booed when Canastota FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 72 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jesus Merchant didn't get a good kick on the ball. Nick Vann sent away a hard shot on goal in the 79th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Doug Hewitt struck a weak shot in the 81st minute. Brian Whaley didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for El Paso FC. El Paso FC's Dustin Simms got a good chance for a goal in the 87th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Doug Hewitt fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 88th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Brian Whaley having to interfere. After having played for 93 minutes, Myles Beltran managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. El Paso FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Myles Beltran was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. There was no doubt that El Paso FC were the better team. El Paso FC's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.