The starting 11 for the RIASA squad: Martens (GK): Back four of: Norththrop, Rayner, Howard, Stray-Gunderson, (Midfield) Brown, Spivack, Balderramos, Lyle, (Strikers) Roane, Eissele
On a warm sunny day in Villa Real, RIASA started the game in a very confident mood. The team began playing in a 4-4-2 formation but after 15 minutes switched to a 4-5-1 formation as Villa Real started to dominate possession putting the RIASA players under pressure. The RIASA squad struggled to get enough qaulity possession for long enough periods as the Spanish side demonstrated the quality of their passing game.
After 15 minutes the keeper Karl Martens was called into action for the first time and made a brilliant save tipping a 20-yard shot over the crossbar. RIASA had their first shot at goal in the 19th minute but Brandon Roane couldn’t get enough power and direction to trouble the Real goalkeeper. The change in formation certainly stemmed the flow of Villa Real’s attacks but RIASA found it hard to penetrate the Villa Real defence. However, the RIASA squad finished the half strong keeping Villa Real to two half scoring chances and developed some neat passages of play of their own.
With a large squad travelling Mark Ellis could change his team around at the start of the second half, to give players opportunity. Alex Brisbane replaced Kjell Stray-Gunderson at left back and after 55 minutes, Tyson Newell replaced Patrick Balderramos.
RIASA started the second half as they had finished the first gaining some momentum early. With just 3 minutes gone RIASA had their first clear cut chance of the game when Delano Brown skilfully cut inside by the goal-line and played the ball across the 6 yard box. Unfortunately no RIASA player could capitalize on Delano Brown’s good work in the last third to get on the end of ball and finish the move.
Eden Spinks replaced Christian Eissele in the 60th minute after the striker had tirelessly led the line and then in the 64th minute Brandon Roane had a shot saved during which time RIASA were having their best spell in the game. Villa Real rallied with their best spell of the game during which Karl Martens was called upon to make four excellent saves to keep a clean sheet. All of a sudden the RIASA squad were having to defend resolutely and were under serious pressure. After 75 minutes, Devan Taylor replaced Delano Brown on the right flank, and Fong Her replace CJ Lyle on the left flank meaning every member of the squad had played some part in the game.
Just when it looked like RIASA going to get a deserved draw out of the game, Villa Real scored in the 88th minute with what could only be described as a lucky goal. This came when Rayner got a slight touch from a cross on the left and the ball deflected onto the near post, bounced of the post and hit the keeper on the back and went into the net, which could only be described as a lucky goal. Just before the Villa Real goal RIASA had their best chance of the game to go in front, when Eden Spinks ran through and got beyond the defence but his first touch let him down and the keeper was able to smother the ball.
Terry Dolan, said, “RIASA certainly did them proud playing against full time professionals and a draw would have been a fair result. Akil Howard and Rayner stood out at the back. Joey Spivack showed enterprise in midfield and Brandon Roane adapted well when he dropped deeper to give more support in midfield. The whole squad can take great credit from the performance and they will all have benefitted from the experience greatly”.
Mark Ellis was especially pleased for Akil Howard who played in a central defensive position. He said, “While the whole back four played well special mention should go to Akil who really came of age in this game – his covering was excellent and he showed me some things I had not seen before. Certainly, he is beginning to understated the game better now from a tactical perspective and this is showing in his overall performance. He is a different player than when he first arrived. I’m very pleased with the whole squad and the boys can be proud of how they performed today”.
