League

Cookeville
Spectators: 7500 (Terracing: 5625, Seating: 1725, VIP seats: 150) Cookeville's Rodolfo Bishop 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. In the 5th minute the ball was on its way in behind Cookeville's goalkeeper Nelson Zepeda, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Nelson Zepeda took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Archie Vance, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Long Beach Sharks FC's Hank Cavazos got a good chance for a goal in the 8th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 12 minutes of play, Cookeville's Eddie Hubbard made it 1-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Mel Payne was left in no man's land by his defense there! It seemed to be an obvious goal in the 15th minute, but Mel Payne got his fingers on the ball or the save, leaving Long Beach Sharks FC hanging dry this time. Archie Vance received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 16th minute. Nelson Zepeda tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Archie Vance received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 18th minute. Nelson Zepeda tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Cookeville's zone, Hank Cavazos stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Nelson Zepeda came out of the goal and Hank Cavazos tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The supporters of Long Beach Sharks FC booed when Cookeville was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 22 match minutes in a wonderful position. Rodney Tuttle didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jayson Henderson hit a great freekick 24 minutes into the match. Nelson Zepeda took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Archie Vance, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Kasey Ryder kicked well hit freekick during the 27th minute of the match. Nelson Zepeda made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Hank Cavazos in the 33rd minute of play. 35 minutes into the match, Cookeville's goal looked a bit too open when Archie Vance came free, but Nelson Zepeda reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 37th minute, Murray Knapp hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Archie Vance took the ball and in the 38 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Nelson Zepeda. Nelson Zepeda dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. Luke Caldwell hit a great freekick 44 minutes into the match. 47 minutes into the game, Kip Whitt was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Long Beach Sharks FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Cookeville the free kick. Kip Whitt hit a great freekick 48 minutes into the match. When Rodolfo Bishop came up free with the goalie in the 49th minute, the Cookeville fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Rodolfo Bishop couldn't finish the play. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

In the 54th minute of the match, Hank Cavazos tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Nelson Zepeda saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. In the 57th minute, Long Beach Sharks FC's Hank Cavazos ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Nelson Zepeda. Nelson Zepeda yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-2. After 64 played minutes, Cookeville's Rodney Tuttle shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Mel Payne 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 Cookeville reached it. In the 70th minute, Rodolfo Bishop made a precise shot to the right of Mel Payne. Long Beach Sharks FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-2. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Eddie Hubbard in the 74th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Mel Payne saved Long Beach Sharks FC from getting behind. 75 minutes into the match, Cookeville's goalkeeper Nelson Zepeda had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Archie Vance. Nelson Zepeda took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Hank Cavazos, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 89 minutes into the match, Cookeville's goalkeeper Nelson Zepeda had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Archie Vance. When Hank Cavazos came up free with the goalie in the 91st minute, the Long Beach Sharks FC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Hank Cavazos couldn't finish the play. After 92 played minutes Cookeville got a freekick which was hit by Rupert Caballero. The supporters of Long Beach Sharks FC booed when Cookeville was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 96 match minutes in a wonderful position. Murray Knapp didn't get a good kick on the ball. 97 minutes into the match, Long Beach Sharks FC's Luke Caldwell broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. Both teams had looked equal from kick-off, and no-one was surprised when the match finally ended in a draw.