League

Fairfield Glade
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Micah Stephenson started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. The supporters of Rocky Ford booed when Rapids was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 3 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tyrone Sosa didn't get a good kick on the ball. Orlando Dukes scored 1-0 in the 5th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Brant Bartlett, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Guy Abraham charged in rather forcefully in the 11th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Guy Abraham the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 11 played minutes Rocky Ford got a freekick which was hit by Guy Abraham. Guy Abraham kicked well hit freekick during the 18th minute of the match. After recieving a nice pass, Rapids's Deshawn Novak tried to score from far away in the 19th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. Devon McConnell blasted a shot towards the goal in the 22nd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Richie Ryder having to make a save. In the 28th minute, Rocky Ford's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Rudolph Parker fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. An unexpectedly hard shot by Micah Stephenson in the 30th minute of play forced Rapids's goalkeeper Richie Ryder to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After having played for 36 minutes, Micah Stephenson managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Rocky Ford's supporters crossed their fingers, but Micah Stephenson was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 43rd minute, Cristobal Mims left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Rocky Ford fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-1. Brant Bartlett showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rudolph Parker, who was totally free with the ball in the 47th minute. 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.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Rudolph Parker to strike the kick off in the second half. Brant Bartlett made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Orlando Dukes in the 51st minute of play. Rocky Ford's Guy Abraham got his second yellow card of the match in the 53rd minute. The referee ordered Guy Abraham off the ground. After 53 played minutes Rocky Ford got a freekick which was hit by Guy Abraham. Devon McConnell sent away a hard shot on goal in the 60th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Cristobal Mims during the 62nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Cristobal Mims hit a great freekick 62 minutes into the match. 65 minutes into the match, Rocky Ford's goal looked a bit too open when Orlando Dukes came free, but Brant Bartlett reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Rudolph Parker in the 68th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Brant Bartlett saved Rocky Ford from getting behind. Brant Bartlett made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Orlando Dukes in the 71st minute of play. 71 minutes into the game, Luciano Eldridge was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Rapids's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Rocky Ford the free kick. The supporters of Rocky Ford booed when Rapids was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 71 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luciano Eldridge didn't get a good kick on the ball. Devon McConnell fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 82nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Richie Ryder having to interfere. After 88 minutes of play Rocky Ford's Cristobal Mims 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 the 89th minute, Cristobal Mims hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After recieving a nice pass, Rapids's Deshawn Novak tried to score from far away in the 90th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rudolph Parker in the 92nd minute of play forced Rocky Ford's goalkeeper Brant Bartlett to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Brant Bartlett came out of the goal in the 96th minute to try and stop a shot by Rapids's Rudolph Parker. But to his dismay, Rudolph Parker quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 2-1. Rapids's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.