Coming off a 5-2 thrashing of Curinga, Wallaceburg appeared ready for just about anything.  Colombia, playing on their home field, was also coming off a victory, a 1-0 win over Tillsonburg a week earlier - and they gave their opponents in white no additional respect.

 

 

Colombia began the game by demonstrating some of their speed up front.  Within the first several minutes, play in their offensive zone outmatched that of Wallaceburg by at least a 3 to 1 margin.  Several shots were taken, some on net, some not, as they proved to themselves and to those in attendance that they could play well against the Second Division leaders.

 

 

Their defensive corps were steady too, effectively breaking up most Wallaceburg plays that found their way into their own end.  It was also apparent that both teams had an offensive orientation, and relied heavily on the skill of their goalkeepers.  In the early going play in the mid-field areas remained quite gentlemanly, with most of the real action occurring in either team's offensive zone.

 

 

It took until the 38 minute mark for a goal to be scored.  On a quick drive up the middle (# 19 Yellow) placed a shot into the bottom left hand corner of the Wallaceburg net making it 1-nil Colombia.  Only two minutes later Wallaceburg nearly replicated the play with their own drive deep into Colombia territory and (#16 White) confidently tapped the ball into the centre of the net at the 40 minute mark making it 1-1.

 

 

The beginning of the second half witnessed Colombia coming out with renewed passion and determination.  One of their strikers blasted a hard shot close in at the Wallaceburg netminder at the 48 minute mark, and, moments later, scored on a similar shot that beat the keeper cleanly at 49 minutes.

 

 

Unfortunately for them their lead was again to be short lived.  In a demonstration of pure speed, ball handling control, and the scoring touch, Wallaceburg found the net four minutes later and tied the game up again making it 2-2.  Following this, and on a similar show of offensive potency, they scored (# 5 White) once more at 54 minutes to take the lead.

 

 

Wallaceburg became noticeably more confident and exhibited increased control for most of the game from this point on.  As a result play in the midfield areas became a little bit rough, with each team voicing their displeasure with various decisions made by the official - and after a brief melee, Wallaceburg continued to tighten their game - with their "stand-up" style of playmaking perhaps beginning to frustrate the more emotionally-driven Colombia squad.

 

 

At 82 minutes Wallaceburg again demonstrated why they have scored over 30 goals this season, as a striker placed a high shot over the goalie's head making it 4-2.  Although perhaps beginning to exhibit some fatigue, Colombia did not give up, aggressively earning a penalty shot near the end of the game that sailed high over the crossbar.  The referee whistled the game down after extra minutes and concluded the match at 4-2. JHS