| Next Match | ||
| v | Academica |
| May 31st, 3:00 PM Southside Park | ||
| Previous Match | ||
| v | Aguias |
| W 3 - 0 | ||
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Real Win Testy Match Against LincolnAnother game against Lincoln, another testy match that featured as many off the ball incidents as scoring chances. When these two teams met earlier in the season, Real had to pull one out at the death to secure a 2-1 win in Lincoln. This time around, the squad was made to work for their 2-0 victory at Southside Park.Real came into the match suiting up nineteen players, a welcome change from previous games where thirteen seemed to be the preferred max. The squad welcomed back defenders Brent Hamilton, Todd Simmons and captain Marcos Mercado to help protect the goal of Conor McNulty. The game began typically for Real, with them dominating possession in the middle third, yet unable to really threaten the Lincoln goal. A deep squad for Sunday’s game meant that the RSJ coaches made several changes midway through the second half and that’s where Real scored their first goal. A free-kick from Chris Gaschen from the left flank was flicked on by striker Oscar Sandoval to a waiting Jimmy Frazelle who first-timed the ball with his left into the net to give RSJ a well-deserved 1-0 lead. Real came close two more times in the half, hitting the post twice, once from a header from midfielder Chris Wright and another from a lob from Gaschen. Real went into halftime dominating, but only had a 1-0 lead to show for it. As night fell, the second half began a lot more physical than the first, with both sides getting stuck in; some of the challenges from the Lincoln side were chippy, yet the referee failed to show any cautions. Lincoln had their opportunities in the second half but were mostly left with half chances that they failed to convert. Real were able to take control of possession despite the sorry state of the Southside pitch. The game was made safe with ten minutes remaining when a shot from Gaschen was parried by the Lincoln ‘keeper, but only as far as the foot of Pat Nelle who calmly slotted the ball in the net to put the game to bed. The second half ended with both teams having a man sent off, both for double yellows, leaving each side to finish the game with ten men. Up next for Real, a trip to Turlock to face Acoreanos, who narrowly lost to Cruz Azul in the 2pm Southside game. Starting Lineup (4-4-2): McNulty – Hill, Hamilton, Mercado, Madu – Delgado, Wright, Ricks-Chambers, Cazel – Nelle, Sandoval Substitutions: Akinsanya, Bystrowski, Gaschen, Martinez, Owens, Simmons. Man of the Match: Chris Wright |
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