Lightnings 2 - 1 CONCORD (364067063)

Clear skies welcomed the 6041 spectators who had made their way to ๑۩۩۩۩๑ENGLISH ๘۩๘۩๘۩ DREAM๑۩۩۩۩๑. Jürnjochen Hoffnungsthal was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Culvanawd Edwards and Abel Lombart. Lightnings started off with a 2-5-3 lineup. Lineup: Burton - Campsor, Abu Hmaid - Maladenis, van Gijzel, Waring, Smagieł, Blunder - Sherdil, Fleetwood, Watt.

A 4-5-1 alignment was the formation of choice for CONCORD. The following players had been chosen: Martinoski - Gichev, van den Brakel, Magee, Mucunski - Mladenovski, Dias Graça, Arnaudovski, Loteski, Minovski - Dimitrieski.

Lightnings displayed their ability to play creatively. Some great play up the middle by Lightnings led to a chance for D. Watt to score after 2 minutes, but the shot hit the crossbar. Making his way up the middle 10 minutes into the match, A. Sherdil almost managed to squeeze a goal past the visitors' keeper, but the alert P. Martinoski blocked it to keep the score level. C. Waring of Lightnings was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle. Down the middle came L. Mladenovski, making a fantastic play that nearly had CONCORD take the lead after 22 minutes, but A. Burton preserved the tie. Lightnings's A. Sherdil tried to break through in the middle repeatedly, but couldn't get past the visitors' defenders. After 44 minutes, the Lightnings manager redeployed his men. Y. Maladenis swapped positions with M. Campsor. It was 0 - 0 at the break. Lightnings had most of the ball, with 54 percent of possession.

As the clock reached 46 minutes, Lightnings decided to regroup. E. Blunder gave N. Abu Hmaid a little pat on the back as they changed positions on the pitch. 46 minutes into the match, the Lightnings manager wanted to try a new tactic, and the players loyally obliged. As the 48 minute mark approached, the Lightnings coach decided it was time for a substitution. A. Sherdil reluctantly made way for R. Beach on the pitch. CONCORD took the lead after 62 minutes making the score 0 - 1. L. Mucunski placed the ball out of reach for the home side's keeper after a fine move, coming in from the left. M. Campsor of Lightnings was able to make an impressive rush past the sluggish L. Mucunski, which resulted in a goal making the score 1 - 1. Lightnings made a bid to take the lead as a ball coming in on the right hand side left D. Watt completely alone with keeper P. Martinoski, who made a spectacular block. A corner kick created great disorder in the penalty area with a goal nearly scored by D. Watt. At last, Lightnings's R. Beach was able to backheel the ball in. 2 - 1. Lightnings enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 52 percent of possession.

B. Fleetwood performed admirably for Lightnings. R. Beach was a disappointment, however. CONCORD's top performer was clearly K. Minovski. P. Gichev on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 2 - 1.