Game Recap - FLC 2 - Metrosexuals 0

Homecoming at Metro State today, and I doubt there will be many repeat attendees after the performance from the Roadrunners. Fort Lewis outclassed Metro all game, even in a game where the Fort played one of their lesser matches. 

From the start it was aware that Metro was going direct with the ball. Long diagonals to #7 who had shorts way to short for men's athletics, exposing the type of leg usually seen on the ladies side. Fort Lewis battled in the air all game winning many over the shorter Metro forwards. A bit of flowing movement down the right side led to Euan and Fort Lewis' first opportunity of the game as his header slammed of the post and out. So great defending from Jamie, Fabian, Sam and Wood saw Metro rarely threatening on goal. To be honest much of this game was played in the midfield, with neither team finding much flow. It was an extremely chippy game, with the ref brandishing waaaay too many yellow cards for both sides. 6 in the first half, 3 going to each team. Jeff, Fabian and Woody picking them up. All were pretty iffy for both teams. 

As the Helms found their voice towards the end of the second half, especially going after #22 Sam Rolph who deserved it by the way, so did the players, swinging the ball side to side and building. Our Sam latched on to ball down to the corner serving a lower ball across stitching the Metro keeper to his line and along Euan to slide across and notch the first goal of the match. 1-0 Fort Lewis in the 40th minute, much to dismay of one Ryan Brooks in attendance who proclaimed much of the game how "awful" Euan was, as he was constantly reminded of Euan's goalscoring record, and how Brooks was sitting with the fans for a reason.

As the second half began we saw much of the same, direct and physical play from Metro. To their credit, they did sucker Fort Lewis into playing their game. In the 60th minute Jamie Cunningham can in a bit high and strong right in front of Metro's bench and cleaned a Metro play out. A stern yellow card would have been the call, but in front of the Metro bench, away, and with the ref hellbent to make his mark on the game, a straight red was the call, even though harder tackles hadn't seen a card earlier in the half. Oddly enough, a Metro backup goalkeeper was sent off as well for obviously saying the magic word, or words. Down a man, Fort Lewis looked to compact the field and keep possession as much as possible. Soon after the red, Zane come out for a cross and dropped to the ground clutching his hand. Not good when a keeper grabs his hand, especially a tough SOB like Zane. He had to come out and each joint in his pinkie was dislocated. He was taken to the hospital shortly after. No further news on his hand as of yet. In came Ryan Wirth for his first extended playing time. Byron came along the left flank in around the 70th minute, cutting in and forcing either a save off the line or a last ditch deflection from a Metro defender not to make in 2-0. I couldn't exactly see, there were a lot of people in the way. In the 72nd minute Fabian rose strong to win a header before being crashed into by a Metro player already carrying a yellow. As both players laid on the ground in pain the ref ran over holding a yellow in his hand. Both the Metro player and Fabian had yellows and as we all knew it was for Metro, we have all seen weirder events in this game. Thankfully it was not for Fabian, but for Scott Grode of Metro and we were even at 10 men a piece.

In the 77th minute, a long 60 yard ball was played into Barden who took the ball wonderfully down one touch and played an amazing, cheeky back-heeled hook pass right into the stride of Keane Hamilton who fending of two Metro defenders, rounding the sprawling keeper and slotting it in the empty net. Pure class. What a goal. The Helm section erupted jumping up and down onto the pitch giving the biggie to the Metro fans with a good ole F-L-C chant. From then on, the game was over. Metro looked flat and had half-hearted attacks. Wirth commanded his back four and his area winning crosses and making a save on an acute angled shot. 

2-0 final score, a "Thanks for Homecoming" chant put a stamp on the game. The Fort owns Metro, home and away. 

Man of the Match: Keane Hamilton - yeah, he was my man of the match for Air Force too I think, but he is my favorite player currently on this squad. He gets stuck in from 18 to 18 and his battling kids much bigger than him. Never really touted by anyone in RMAC, and that's fine with me. He has quietly been a 3 year starter, scoring huge goals like in the RMAC final last year, and putting the game to rest today. Keane deserves all the praise he gets. An endless engine and fight sets an example from the go. No one wants to go up against our midfield pairing of Keane and Jeff, and they have a right to feel that way. 

WHO'S THE BOMB?