In soccer match, Fire stronger than Lightning

Warwick - This was the soccer game everybody was anticipating last Sunday: First place Warwick Fire versus second place Hyde Park Lightning. Hyde Park showed why they have only lost two games all season. Early pressure kept the ball in Warwick’s half for most of the first twenty minutes. The Fire defense, however, lived up to its stingy reputation with few if any real chances going to the Lightning. Central defenders Matt Kern, returning from injury, Andrew Fraser and Brian McGovern snuffed out any Lightning advances down the middle with full backs Conner Reynolds, Ryan Stirt and Ryan Brack covering the outside. Building on a strong defense, the Fire midfield slowly began to command more of the play. Midfielder Michael Bedross lead the way, disrupting any rhythm the Lightning tried to establish. Halfway into the first half, the Lightning gave Warwick the break they had been working for. Picking up a pass from Gregory Snigur, striker Ryan Killian broke free toward goal but was fouled a yard outside the 18-yard box by a Lightening defender. Midfielder Nick Blomfield stepped up for the direct free kick and let fly a corker into the top right corner of the net. The momentum had swung to Warwick and they continued to press hard. Warwick was moving the ball well with every player involved. Ten minutes later, Bedross picked up a loose ball deep in the Lightning half and his shot on goal took a deflection off a Lightning defender and into the net. The Fire has a 2-0 lead at the half. A strong and vocal contingent of Hyde Park supporters tried to rally their team as the second half begun. With both defenses playing well, the majority of the play was contained in midfield. However, both teams created scoring opportunities. Fire goalie Matt Unick made a number of outstanding saves while at the other end, Fire forward Nick Diagle broke loose from the defense, only to be denied by the Lightning goalkeeper. In the end, the Fire closed out the game comfortably and with it, any hope of the second-place Lightning overcoming the undefeated Warwick Fire this season. The season’s final game is away against Highland Scorpions on Dec. 3. This story was provided by the Warwick Fire’s coach, Tony Blomfield.