Matchday 2 Report - Green vs Highlanders O/40

DATE OF MATCH: September 19, 2015

OPPONENT: Highlanders O/40

LOCATION: Delta Park Field # 5

FINAL SCORE: Highlanders 0/40 8, OGFC Green 0

SCORING SUMMARY: None

MISCONDUCT: None

LINE UP:

Green Players: Paul Atkinson, Eric Berg, Stephen Chen, Chris Davidson, Tim Dibble, Rex Forkner, Gavin Granmo, Ryan Harris, Sean Hutchinson, Kip Kesgard, Rustam Kocher, Rob Lusardi, Chris Owcarz, Rupert Prince, Bob Roberts, Rich Sheals, Rich Ybarra

Green Managers: Eric Berg, Jamey Billig, Rustam Kocher

Injured Green players unable to play but present: Jamey Billig

GAME SUMMARY:

After the troubles from match 1 in the Fall for Old Growth Green, there were some encouraging signs with several reinforcements committed to play in match 2 versus the Highlanders 0/40 on September 19. Paul Atkinson and Rustam Kocher were back after missing week 1 for illness or unforeseen circumstances, but the news got better when Ryan Harris and Sean Hutchinson were both available for inclusion. The word got even better when Chris Davidson made the trip from Roseburg to play with his OGFC teammates to give the group a bench with depth, but it was tempered with word that Jamey Billig’s ankle injury from Week 1 would keep him out for Week 2. However, Billig showed up in a rather dapper ensemble to coach the Green side from the sidelines.

With Delta Park now having turf on several of the fields at the complex, the Green side was encouraged by some good early ball movement, but it would be a corner kick by the Highlanders in the 20th minute that would give them the first goal. An odd sequence and bounce would give them a second goal minutes later, but the defense found their groove and only conceded a third goal before the break. Offensively, Davidson was working well as a distributing player and he nearly sprung Forkner, Dibble and Owcarz as they were attacking from the front while Atkinson was able to swing in from the wing to give OGFC some good offensive movement. It just seemed like they were a pass short on some occasions from bringing in a quality shot, but Billig had nothing but encouragement at the break due to the low deficit and efforts. There was one injury issue, however, that did alter plans as Roberts had to leave the match for an ankle injury after absorbing a rough tackle and he was unable to return.

The second half showed good defensive moments, but Lusardi had to leave the match after a few minutes after taking a shot to the groin, but he was able to rejoin the fray. With some troubles along the center of the pitch, Highlanders started to find some good work using the offside trap and quality diagonal passes to spring a few of their attackers for a few goals in the second half. With the scoreline starting to get in their favor, tempers did flare on a few occasions after physical play where the teams briefly had to be separated, but Highlanders also started to rotate their players throughout the lines to mix things up. For their credit, Green earned a couple of corner kicks to make things interesting, and Davidson had a wonderful chance on goal after good passing, but the shot was just pulled high of frame. To their credit, Green was starting to find room to work and the players started to find some working chemistry, but it wasn’t enough to get a goal albeit they certainly had chances.

Special credit goes to all the players, who fought hard under the circumstances, but to Davidson, who traveled a distance to play and he also posted several pictures of the match for teammates to view. Billig was also very adept at the managerial strategy, but you could tell by body language, he really wanted to be out there and playing; however, Billig was very good at rotating players to keep them fresh while also putting folks in spots where they could succeed. It was another loss, but it seemed to be encouraging that Green looked better – they showed some good fight and determination on the afternoon. The team looks forward to their next battle which is set for September 27 out at Delta Park #1 when they play FC Oldtimers, a longtime member of the Greater Portland Soccer District but playing down a division for the Fall.