League

High Point
Spectators: 7668 (Terracing: 5751, Seating: 1764, VIP seats: 153) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Norman Bergman kicked off to start the match. In the 4th minute of the match Cliff Schulz shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Bill Spears showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. 7 minutes into the match, High Point AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Norman Bergman came free, but Bill Spears reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 10 minutes, Milan Kimball mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the High Point AFC and the Mankato players grew even worse after the yellow card. Milan Kimball hit a great freekick 10 minutes into the match. 11 minutes into the match, Mankato's Dexter Jeffers broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. Bill Spears showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Norman Bergman in the 12th minute of the match. After a rather tough play, High Point AFC's Milan Kimball got a free kick in the 14th minute. Norman Bergman 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. 19 minutes into the match, Mankato's Dexter Jeffers sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Bill Spears narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Willie Harris's late challenge caught a Mankato's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Willie Harris helped the player get up and apologised. In the 20th match minute, High Point AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Willie Harris to maneuver through the defense. After a defensive mix-up in High Point AFC's zone, Dexter Jeffers stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Bill Spears came out of the goal and Dexter Jeffers tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Dexter Jeffers in the 25th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Bill Spears prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Norman Bergman received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 28th minute. Bill Spears tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 29 played minutes High Point AFC got a freekick which was hit by Ulysses Clifford. In the 31st minute, High Point AFC's Jeremy Reeves ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Johnathon Gallo. Johnathon Gallo yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-0. Jeremy Reeves could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 34th minute of the match, but Johnathon Gallo made a huge save. In the 43rd minute Dexter Jeffers shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bill Spears saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Bill Spears made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dexter Jeffers in the 46th minute of play. After 48 played minutes, Mankato's Cliff Schulz shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Bill Spears 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 Mankato reached it. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

After a rather tough play, Mankato's Cliff Schulz got a free kick in the 51st minute. With a little luck, High Point AFC's Bill Spears got control of the ball when Norman Bergman tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 61st minute, Mankato's Cliff Schulz seemed to kick out at an opponent. The referee saw this and, surprisingly, showed Cliff Schulz the red card, dismissing him from the pitch. The coaching staff of Mankato protested bitterly, but the referee would have none of it, and Cliff Schulz had no choice but to slowly walk off the pitch. 61 minutes into the game, one of Mankato:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. After having played for 67 minutes, Diego Merritt managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. High Point AFC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Diego Merritt was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Johnathon Gallo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Diego Merritt in the 69th minute of play. After 73 minutes of play High Point AFC's Milan Kimball was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. In a very dangerous position, a player in High Point AFC fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 72nd minute. Penalty! Jeremy Reeves recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 82nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Jeremy Reeves fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 86th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Johnathon Gallo having to interfere. Norman Bergman took the ball and in the 91 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Bill Spears. Bill Spears dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-2. After a defensive mix-up in High Point AFC's zone, Norman Bergman stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Bill Spears came out of the goal and Norman Bergman tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. A collision led to Mankato getting a freekick after 98 minutes play. Armando Zuniga hit a great ball. Norman Bergman received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 100th minute. Bill Spears tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When the referee blew the final whistle, you could see the dissatisfaction in the Mankato players' eyes. They were disappointed they hadn't taken more from the game.