UARM started with the same starting XI from the previous win at NEO, hoping to keep the positive momentum going. The game started as a scrappy battle with neither team dominating the play. In the first quarter of the game, Connors State had the ball in the net, but the striker heading the ball to goal was standing in an offside position. It was clear that Connors was strong on the wings, and UARM had to adjust their system of play to decrease that threat. The Bucks began to get into the game and created a big opening in the Connors defense, but the final pass from Cavan Chedzey (Burgess Hill, England) was slightly behind Elliot Ramsey (Batley, England) in support, which resulted in a delay of play and a weak shot straight at the goalkeeper. The match was knotted at 0-0 after a half.

 

The second half started with another change of system of play to stop the Cowboys from overpowering the midfield, and this provided the Bucks a strong anchor to build on. This foundation provided the first goal of the game when Chedzey flicked the ball out to the left for Hudson Brawner (Montgomery, TX) to dribble down the wing and cut the ball across goal for Angel Roa (Bogotá, Colombia) to tap in from close range to take a 1-0 lead with 40 minutes remaining in the match.

 

The Bucks almost had a second when Brawner dribbled from his own half, beating 3 players but ran out of field after rounding the goalkeeper. Connors threw everything at the Bucks defense in the final stretch of the game, but apart from one or two shaky moments, the Bucks defense were able to see the game out for a very valuable win.

 

The Bucks are now 3-6-2 and 3-4-2 in region play. The men are sitting fifth in the Region 2 Standings with 3 games remaining in the season.

 

Coach Sherry is pleased with the progress of his team through this season. "I can see improvement every week in this team, and they are peaking at the right time of the season."