Matchday 9 - OGFC Green v FC 77 Hibernians

DATE OF MATCH: November 7, 2015

OPPONENT: FC 77 Hibernians

LOCATION: Rex Putman High School

FINAL SCORE: FC 77 Hibernians 8, OGFC Green 0

SCORING SUMMARY: None

MISCONDUCT: None

INJURIES: None

FUN: Had by all

Green Players: Eric Berg, Jamey Billig, Tim Dibble, Sean Hutchinson, Kip Kesgard, Steve Kuenzi, Rob Lusardi, Dale Montgomery, Rich Ybarra

OGFC Reserves: Jeremy Biittner, Paul Cornell, Bill Kayser, Rodrigo Munoz, Mo Phillips

OGFC 50: Don Baldwin, Gary Golish, McCoy Smith

Green Managers: Jamey Billig, Eric Berg

With the weather and other plans keeping the Media Team away from Match 8 of the season, it was back to reality somewhat with Match 9 versus FC Hibernians 77. The original start time for this date, however, ended up falling near the Timbers playoff leg 2 match with Vancouver in Canada, so the powers of OGFC and the Timbers Army FC giants worked with GPSD officials to reschedule many matches. Instead of a Sunday night kick at Jefferson High one hour before the scheduled kick at B.C. Place, OGFC Green and FC 77 Hibernians would battle on Saturday night at 6 PM over at Rex Putman High with the Gold side following at 8 PM. However, lineups would still prove difficult with many OGFC members heading up North in support of the Timbers, so the managers of both sides put out the all hands on deck call. Green ended up pulling several members from the Reserves and O-50s to pull out a game day roster, while many Green members ended up staying to help the Gold numbers for the nightcap of game action.

The task was proven more difficult as the I-205 freeway was experiencing a major traffic jam on a Saturday afternoon with traffic snarled to a near standstill. While this is often common for rush hour or holiday time, this event on midday Saturday afternoon with no accident in site was exceptionally strange, so many Green players arrived just in time for the match to start on a very blustery evening. The rain had been falling in buckets for most of the preceding days, but by some magic or a deal that Eric Berg made with the powers that be, the elements stayed away as the kickoff started. While some of the newer players weren’t familiar with Hibernians, many long time OGFC members were very aware of what this match meant – the return of Josh. He’s been playing with various clubs in GPSD for years, and he recently joined the Hibernians but suffice to say, once you battle him just one time, you remember exactly who he is. Short in stature, he’s exceptionally quick and direct to the ball and extremely difficult to mark much less knock down, he tallied a few early goals as OGFC keeper Jamey Billig was unable to react quickly to the shot. The defense was a little unsettled because of new faces and trying to mark off the long diagonal balls forward for Josh, but after a few minutes, the group adjusted reasonably well to keep him in check. The scoreline reached up to six by the half, but OGFC did threaten the goal with some of the best passing we’d seen from them in some time.

With Hibernians playing more conservatively by pushing Josh back to defense and replacing their goalkeeper, they tallied an early goal off a defensive miscue but once again, OGFC was finding room to move once they were able to complete the passes forward. The Hibernians keeper had to make several saves in traffic, including knocking a ball out of play from two charging OGFC players when he was the lone defender along the line. The pressure was starting to create chances, but OGFC Green was unable to convert on any of them despite having the opportunities. However, the match ended with smiles as OGFC knew they had played well under the circumstances and the energies were focused upon the lads up in Vancouver. For many Green players, they had decided to stick about and watch the early part of the Gold match, and some Green players even decided to be available to play as needed. It’s just part of the community that makes OGFC so special, and that’s why the match to end the season would be so memorable – it is the annual Green versus Gold cup over at Jefferson High School.

Submitted by Kip Kesgard, OGFC Green/OGFC Media Team