3-3 tie with Chwk City — who are just behind Young Guns in the standings. All of our goals were well-earned, but 2 of theirs were so-so. A bit of a robbery.

We had some early forays and lots of pressure, then they scored on an opportunity, following a corner. Their midfielder, Nevel Borman (#31) nailed it from the top of the box, through a screen and into the corner. Kyle dove the right way, but didn't get enough of an early look at it.

We responded quickly. Al got us going with a goal from a scrambly play in their box, then Daniel Klop converted a low cross that somehow made it through a bunch of bodies.  

Later, Al went to control a bouncy ball at the edge of the box. It hit his knee then deflected to his arm, which was at his side. There was no City player close and Al was so close to the 18 yard line, that the ref could have given a free kick on the line — but he awarded a penalty kick, which Kyle had no chance on. The ref expressed his regret in having to award a penalty kick on such a lame opportunity.

We responded right away and DJ scored a hard work goal to put us up 3-2 at the half. As DJ came into the box with the ball, a defender ran over and nailed him — and flew off him like a Hyundai hitting a Hummer. A few dekes later, the ball was in the net.

In the second half, we only got maybe four shots on net. Al figured we went away from using our midfield and went for a lot more long balls down the side.

City got a corner kick off a very slight touch by me. I didn't admit to it, and I doubt the ref heard it or saw any deflection. I don't know exactly what happened next, as I was glued to my post and the play happened behind me before I could turn. The ball came to the top of the keeper's box and was deflected toward the net.

Here's Steve's version: "I didn't see the ball come from the corner and it pushed past the post and was on the goal line. I was on the back post and as it curled along the line I took a kick at it and played it towards the corner. It was on the line but never crossed but it would have and I think the other team thought it would go in so that's why they cheered and the ref called it a goal based on the fact they celebrated.... I am still not impressed with the call and the reasoning given.... Oh well what can you do?"

The ref wasn't in prime position to see the line and the badly-faded line had not be painted when the rest of the sidelines were touched up.

There was lots of dirt going on, and City was called on two yellows — and could have had 2 or 3 more. Their second yellow was unfortunate for the guy, who hit Justin lightly from behind, then reached out to keep him from falling. Justin mistook the intent and responded angrily... and the ref gave a yellow to the guy.

Colin must have received three or four hits from behind and a few late hits. One drew a card.

Later, they put the ball out at our end and just as the ref was calling it, I was knocked down from behind. I was nowhere near the ball and the guy figured he'd just take a free shot.

The ref said he couldn't make a call because the ball was out of play, so I said he could still give him a card. I wondered to the ref if it would be okay if I punched someone in the head after the next whistle. He didn't like that and I realized I had come to the end of my free rope, so I calmed down before "card time."

Kyle made a great leaping fingertip save late in the game, sending a high shot off the crossbar and off the field.

Other notes: City's #1 scorer, Ryan Borman, broke his leg in some tangle in the Clayburn game the previous weekend. Clayburn racked up 2 yellows in that game.

Our only yellow was to Jeff, who raised his leg as the goalie was getting ready to punt the ball. Now  Jeff knows that's a no-no!

***

I joined the City boys at their beer wagon after the game. Ian Sherman, the guy that I collided with near the end of the game, congratulated us on our speed and pressure on the ball. He said it didn't give them much chance to control the ball, because we were always (or almost always) on them in a hurry.

Ian is related to the Shermans of Hope.