Hargrave 4 – Fishburne 2
In one of their most intense and well-played games of the season the Hargrave Tigers advanced to the VIC Finals with a 4-2 victory over Fishburne, on Thursday. In a game that saw all six goals in the second half of play the Tigers emerged having to come from behind on two occasions to secure the victory.
Throughout the first half of play the Tigers came out firing on all cylinders. Winning the loose balls, playing one and two touch passing up the field, playing precise through balls; all of which created numerous opportunities for the Tigers in front of their opponent’s goal. Despite the well-crafted play of the Tigers they somehow could not find the final result to take the lead.
Leading into the second half the Tigers felt they had control of the contest, as all the opportunities came while in their possession of the ball. Although, the Tigers would soon be left wondering after a Fishburne goal from a corner kick five minutes into the second half. Despite allowing the goal, though, the Tigers did not faulter. These young men on the field knew that this was their game to control, and never stopped persuing the victory. Six minutes later the Tigers would equalize with a Tony Cain goal after a precise through ball from Forward Nick Barr. Barr received the pass from Senior Philippe Armand heading straight up the middle of the field. After receiving the pass Barr found himself with a 2-on-1 as Cain came up to his left. As the defender committed Barr played Cain in with just the goalkeeper to beat, and gave the Tigers the goal they had been searching for since the first half of play.
Although, the Tigers celebration would be cut short as two mintues later the Tigers found themselves trailing yet again on a loose ball in front of the goal. Trailing now 2-1 the Tigers were looking for a lift, and with less than 16 minutes remaining in the game found it from Forward Paul Spakaukas. Spakauskas won a loose ball along the endline to the left side of the opponent’s goal, and as he was challenged put a fantastic move on his defender to go around him. With a very difficult angle at goal Spakauskas then blistered a shot off the keeper, and past him into the back of the net to draw the Tigers even at 2-2.
After the Spakauskas goal, the momentum shifted again into the Tigers favor as opportunity after opportunity were created to find the go ahead goal. Then with nine minutes remaining the Tigers found the lead they had been searching for the entire game, a lead that they would not relinquish. Captain Josh Splinter recorded the game-winner for Tigers when he followed up a shot coming off the post from a Tumi Demuren strike. Demuren, refusing to give up on a loose ball towards the right side of the 18-yard box won the ball from a defender, turned nicely to beat his man, and had a strike that found the post. Fortunately, Splinter was there to follow-up the shot, and barried the goal first time off the post to give the Tigers their first lead of the contest, 3-2.
As time wound down the Tigers continued to count off the minutes and seconds to complete the comeback. Although, Forward Nick Barr would secure and finalize the Tigers worries with a goal less than three minutes in the game to give the Tigers the 4-2 lead. The Barr goal came off of a corner kick from Splinter played out just beyond the top of the 18-yard box to an open Chris Martelli. The Senior Captain had a superb first-time strike on goal from nearly 25 yards out forcing the Fishburne goalkeeper and a defender sprawling for the ball to keep it out of the net. Though, Barr was there to finish of the play banging home the loose ball, and giving the Tigers their first relaxing breath of the game.
With the win the Tigers will travel to Roanoke to take on North Cross for the VIC Championship on Saturday. Game time is set for 3:00.
Game Statistics:
Scoring Summary:
Time Team Goal Scorer/(Assists)
45’ FMS Brian Wells (Joseph Silva)
51’ HMA Tony Cain (Nick Barr, Philippe Armand)
54’ FMS Joseph Silva (Ibrahim Bakhressa)
66’ HMA Paul Spakauskas (unassisted)
73’ HMA Josh Splinter (Tumi Demuren)
78’ HMA Nick Barr (Chris Martelli, Josh Splinter)
Shots Summary:
HMA, 27 FMS, 7
Saves Summary:
HMA, 3 FMS, 12
Corner Kicks:
HMA, 2 FMS, 4
Fouls Committed:
HMA, 6 FMS, 5
