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JH Kelly Claim Over 30 Title |
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The Over 30 OPSL Final started with the temperature at 32 degrees at kickoff with a stiff crosswind. The first half saw Red Army hold possession through the midfield and create multiple chances. A string of long range shots and corners kept JHK’s keeper Brian Collings active, but not rattled. JHK continued to hold in a compact 4-5-1 while Red Army attacked in a 4-4-2 and pushed outside backs through for additional pressure. JHK stole a goal against the run of play and the wind at 20 minutes as Luke Rust broke free on a through ball and outran two Red Army defenders to disrupt the back pass and get a deft touch with the outside of his right foot to beat RA keeper Todd Stevenson. Possession evened out after the JHK goal, but Kelly still remained conservative and selectively counter attacked. Red Army leveled in the 35th minutes on a PK by Sean Davis. The PK was awarded for a handball that occurred when a JHK defender stretched to reach a wind affected cross and the slight deflection caught an unexpected JHK defender’s outstretched arm. It was an unfortunate but deserved penalty. After the break, JHK stole the initiative and owned the midfield creating multiple opportunities. Their efforts were rewarded in the 65th minute after a neat string of passes through the midfield saw Mason Evans released on the right side of the goal about 15 yards out. His far post strike forced a diving block from Stevenson. Adam Stockman scooped up the rebound to push Kelly into the lead. Play leveled out after the goal with Red Army surging but being routinely shut down by Kelly’s strong center half combo of Travis Pratt and Phil Nelson. Kelly pushed the counters through the right midfield and caught RA exposed as Luke Rust received a ball at midfield and one defender giving chase. Rust carried the ball deep into the box and played a neat square ball to reward Kelly’s Kaisey Saito’s 60 yard run. With the keeper and lone defender committed on the 2vs 1, Saito trapped and slotted the 3rd goal at the 80th minute. Red Army continued to push and Kelly continued to counter for the remainder of the game with a few chances for both sides, but no drama until the final whistle.
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