Riot 5 - 1 Crossfire (390054472)

68179 spectators arrived at Danny's Den, where weather conditions were pretty good for football. Helge Olsen was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Ilkka Koski and Ali Kemal Arıbaş. A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Riot. Lineup: Altschul - Johnson, Hartley, Muhammed - Campbell, Beazley, Apple, Andrew, O'Halloran - Kinnieson, Larkin.

Crossfire decided to use a 5-5-0 set up. The following players took the field: Benfenati - Sergeev, Prausner, Frey, Páez, Roegiers - Ronchetti, Vasconcellos, Sorell, Bauwens, Podola -.

Crossfire were relying on their ability to counter-attack. With 15 minutes gone, a long pass from the defence of Crossfire resulted in a counterattack that set J. Bauwens free through the middle, but the keeper made a spectacular diving save. Riot fans held their breath as S. O'Halloran scampered down the left side. He successfully avoided all challenges and cracked home the shot for 1 - 0! 28 minutes in, Crossfire appeared unsure on how to play and their organisation was only inadequate. V. Vasconcellos made a run for the goal 31 minutes into the game but the home team's left back managed to sort the situation out in the end. Riot earned themselves a free kick after a counterattack wasn't dealt with adequately by their opponents. S. Andrew powered the shot in for 2 - 0. With 36 minutes played, Riot's C. Apple almost extended the lead, but his shot from the left glanced off the top of the bar to fall behind the net. J. Podola of Crossfire received a yellow card after 40 minutes for unsportsmanlike behaviour. Halftime score was 2 - 0. Riot claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 62 percent.

During the break, Crossfire's coach went through the team's tactics yet again, getting them up to solid organisation. With 50 minutes played, the Crossfire coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around. Y. Ribbens came on, A. Sergeev had to leave the fray. As the game started to slip away for Crossfire, the manager decided to change the tactical approach. Riot's A. Kinnieson saw his fine effort strike the top of the bar following some good work up the middle by his teammates after 60 minutes. There was concern in the stands when, at the 61 minute mark, Riot's A. Beazley hit the ground hard, but he refused the attention of the trainer and rejoined his teammates on the pitch. A. Broeren was called on to replace Crossfire's V. Vasconcellos after 70 minutes following a nasty collision. Riot's F. Larkin swung in a good chance from the left, but the visitors' defence were able to clear the ball. A. Broeren knocked one home from a counterattack down the right wing, making the score 2 - 1 after 72 minutes. After 74 minutes, Riot's A. Kinnieson swiftly ran past A. Páez and nutmegged the keeper! 3 - 1. A great save by keeper G. Benfenati after 79 minutes kept the visitors in the game after W. Hartley struck from the left with a real cannonball. Crossfire were able to mount several counterattacks, such as the impressive one after 80 minutes, but A. Roegiers lofted a free kick over the crossbar. F. Larkin increased the lead for Riot to 4 - 1, getting a head onto a hooked ball from the right. The ball looked to have taken a deflection on the way in, but he's claiming it! Riot solidified their lead at the 83 minute mark, as F. Larkin dribbled the ball through the opposing central defence and scored to make it 5 - 1. Riot's S. Andrew got himself booked for a foul. Riot enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 62 percent of possession.

F. Larkin performed admirably for Riot. However, D. Altschul made a disastrous appearance. Crossfire's top performer was clearly Y. Ribbens. G. Benfenati turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 5 - 1.