Wind challenges Fire and Ice

Teams battle to 2-2 tie under gusty conditions Warwick - Warwick Fire traveled to Red Hook this past Sunday to play the Red Hook Ice and the Ice lived up to their name playing a solid game. The wind howled, the temperature hovered in the 40’s and the Ice was distinctly chilly in their reception. Playing with the wind behind them, the Ice pressured Warwick from the whistle. The Fire defense, lead by center-back Brian McGovern together with full backs Ryan Stirt, Conner Reynolds and Ryan Brack, repelled attack after attack, with corners in favor of the Ice coming thick and fast. After first saving a hard and low shot from another Red Hook attack, keeper Mat Unick had no chance with a fierce volley that found the Fire net. In the end, the Fire did well to close the half only one down. In the second half, with the wind in their favor, the Fire roared back. Hard work by forward Ryan Killeen and midfielders, Phillip Goska, Michael Bedross, Nick Blomfield, Gregory Snigur and Brian Allan, reversed the pressure and the Fire where on the attack. Early in the second half, Blomfield picked up the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and struck the back of the net to tie the game. Warwick continued the pressure and midway through the half, after a foul just outside the 18-yard box, Blomfield struck again from a free kick. Although the Fire continued their pressure, Red Hook remained dangerous and on a breakaway, scored the tying goal to hold the Fire to their second draw of the season. At the final whistle, both teams had battled in challenging conditions to what had been an exciting and fair result. The Fire, who remain unbeaten, play their next at home against the Rhinebeck Riot this Sunday at noon.