League

Weehawken
Spectators: 6754 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1754, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Federico Murillo kicked off to start the match. When Sandy Hanson came up free with the goalie in the 5th minute, the Malta AFC 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 Sandy Hanson couldn't finish the play. After a rather tough play, Empire FC's Jess Crocker got a free kick in the 6th minute. Joaquin Cuevas made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sandy Hanson in the 7th minute of play. Trenton Case struck a weak shot in the 11th minute. Joaquin Cuevas didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Malta AFC. After 11 played minutes Empire FC got a freekick which was hit by Bruce Bright. Sandy Hanson fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 13th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Joaquin Cuevas having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Malta AFC's Earl Suarez got a free kick in the 18th minute. The audience thought a goal was coming when Federico Murillo got free with Bob Hedrick in the 19th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 21 minutes into the match, Malta AFC's Marty Atkinson broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. Joaquin Cuevas made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Trenton Case in the 37th minute of play. Rex Pulliam's late challenge caught a Empire FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Rex Pulliam helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Malta AFC's Rex Pulliam got a free kick in the 41st minute. 42 minutes into the match, Malta AFC's goalkeeper Bob Hedrick had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Dylan Cesario.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Trenton Case to make the kick off. Joaquin Cuevas took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rex Pulliam, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Sandy Hanson sent away a hard shot on goal in the 58th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Trenton Case was extremely unlucky when he, in the 59th minute, took a shot that hit the right post and went out. Trenton Case was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 69th minute. Malta AFC's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Joaquin Cuevas showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Trenton Case, who was totally free with the ball in the 72nd minute. When Jess Crocker fell near the penalty area in the 74th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Empire FC's protests and gave Jess Crocker a yellow card for diving instead. After 75 played minutes Empire FC got a freekick which was hit by Jess Crocker. In the 77th minute, Trenton Case 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 some fancy dribbling in the 78th minute, Sandy Hanson managed to get in a good position for a shot. Malta AFC's supporters rose to their feet, but Sandy Hanson was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Joaquin Cuevas breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Benjamin Riddle kicked well hit freekick during the 84th minute of the match. Malta AFC's Bob Hedrick played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Federico Murillo in the 88th minute of play. If Trenton Case had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 90th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Joaquin Cuevas showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Trenton Case, who was totally free with the ball in the 92nd minute. Empire FC's Joaquin Cuevas played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Trenton Case in the 93rd minute of play. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Malta AFC walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.