Aspen 3 - 1 Suffolk (390068964)

38321 spectators arrived at Reach Gardens, where weather conditions were pretty good for football. Arnold Mclain was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Jeronimo De Pablo and Per Uddskog. A 2-5-3 alignment was the formation of choice for Aspen. Starters: Beylin - Zingerli, Ozores - Gelinas, Gregory, Bamforth, Bassey, Gunn - Malmberg, Cooper, Baker.

Suffolk decided to use a 5-4-1 set up. Lineup: Jakutowicz - Bareja, Charles, Mullin, Howard, Badani - Gualerzi, Bãrboi, Rakevičius, Wijnendaele - Iannantuoni.

Suffolk clearly had decided to counter-attack when they could. S. Ozores gave Aspen the lead as he successfully challenged the guests' central defenders, then slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving the keeper no chance. 1 - 0 Aspen managed to extend their lead to 2 - 0 when J. Gunn cut in neatly from the left side and struck a fine shot past the away team's goalkeeper. V. Malmberg left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 20 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. J. Anderson was the replacement. Aspen's opponents know to be wary of G. Gelinas's speed, but it made little difference as he flew past the defence 32 minutes into the game. Only the keeper could stop him - and he did with a perfectly timed dive! The referee showed Aspen's B. Bassey the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. Unfortunately for Suffolk, P. Iannantuoni was injured when the game became more physical, and he had to leave the field. E. Baroni replaced him. The teams went for the halftime break at 2 - 0. Aspen had most of the ball, with 64 percent of possession.

Aspen's J. Cooper increased the lead to 3 - 0, after he saw his shot go between the legs of the advancing goalkeeper following some good play down the right wing after 47 minutes. N. Baker could have increased the lead after 49 minutes, but his shot hit the post after a nice combination in the middle of the park. In an effort to secure the lead, Aspen changed their tactic after 50 minutes. Suffolk's G. Gualerzi got himself booked for a foul. After 65 minutes, Suffolk surprised their opponents with a breakaway counter attack. The defenders had to resort to a foul to stop it. The free kick that followed was a clever indirect effort that almost succeeded, but the defence read the situation well and the intended recipient was left ruing what might have been. Aspen's N. Baker swung in a good chance from the left, but the visitors' defence were able to clear the ball. Suffolk had a great opportunity to score following a counterattack after 76 minutes, but C. Howard's shot from the left sailed high over the bar. 78 minutes into the match, Suffolk replied and reduced the lead to 3 - 1. A. Rakevičius scored on a marvellous cross pass coming in from the left. Aspen claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 63 percent.

Aspen's top performer was clearly N. Beylin. On the other hand, K. Gregory's play was disheartening. The most dominating Suffolk player was without a doubt G. Gualerzi. E. Baroni was a disappointment, however. The match ends 3 - 1.