Real OP (2-0-0, 6 points) stole the show Friday evening as they cruised past Woodland FC (2-1-0, 6 points) in an intense matchup at Stump Park. Both teams came into the match knowing that the game would be fierce and have massive early implications for the season ahead.
The game opened with Woodland FC quick to assert their strength, controlling the match with dominant possession and opportunities. In the 5th minute, Woodland FC defender Gage Pemberton smashed a wonderful shot outside the box following a corner past Real OP goalkeeper Kleber Meneses straight into the arm of defender Moe Oo. While Real OP players argued against the handball, stating the arm was in a natural position, the center ref agreed with the home side and pointed to the spot, awarding Woodland FC a penalty, however, he did not give Moe Oo a card. Stepping up to the spot, Spence Jean-Baptiste slotted the ball past Meneses to make the score 1-0 for the home team.
The match seemed to be going strongly in Woodland's favor, with them controlling the match and limiting Real OP's chances. However, in the 17th minute, Real OP would force a turnover and quickly attack down the left-hand side. Andres Chavira whipped in a deflected cross to an unmarked Victor Nichols tracking into the box who would head it past the Woodland FC keeper, making it 1-1.
Woodland FC continued to press and attack, largely controlling the chances of the game. However following a clumsy foul from a Woodland FC midfielder in their defensive half, Real OP midfielder Alan Perez whipped a free-kick into the box from the left-hand side to a waiting Ashton Watson who beautifully headed the ball over the goalkeeper into the top-right corner of the goal. Against the run of play, Real OP was ahead 2-1 in the 21th minute.
Woodland FC responded with intensity, nearly equalizing on numerous occasions but were unable to crack the tenacious Real OP defense. In the 38th minute, however, Real OP found the net again following another Woodland FC turnover. Andres Chavira sent in a pass to Jason Stevenson, who tried to slot the ball past the goalkeeper, but was unable to as the goalkeeper produced a remarkable save. However, Woodland FC was slow to get rid of the ball, and Carlos Ruz won a tackle to then send in the ball to the back post where Ashton Watson was waiting to slot home his 2nd of the evening and make it 3-1.
Woodland FC nearly scored a 2nd in the 40th minute, as Spencer Bone smashed a ball into the bottom corner, however, outstanding Real OP goalkeeper Kleber Meneses produced an incredible fingertip save, bouncing it off the post before getting it with his hands to keep Woodland FC from scoring. On the following play, Meneses passed it to fullback Roberto Mugabe, who floated a beautiful pass over the Woodland FC defense to Ashton Watson, who would grab his hat-trick in just the 41st minute, making it 4-1.
In the 45th minute, Michael Okiring nearly scored for Woodland FC, but sent the ball over the bar from the top of the box.
In the second half in the 49th minute, Woodland FC defender Heliot Garcia misplayed a pass straight to Andres Chavira, who nearly caught Woodland FC goalkeeper Zamudio-Lopez off his line, but the ball went inches wide.
In the 53rd minute, Victor Nichols produced an excellent bit of skill, dribbling through 3 WFC players before passing it to Michael Nichols, who would have scored a fine goal had it not been for WFC goalkeeper Zamudio-Lopez producing a wonderful fingertip save.
In the 63rd minute, Roberto Mugabe cleared a ball to Jason Stevenson, who slotted a through-ball to a wide-open Victor Nichols who smashed the ball home to make it 5-1 for the visitors and his 2nd of the night.
A few minutes later in the 68th minute, Real OP midfielder Alan Perez intercepted a pass in the midfield and quickly passed it to fullback Moses Daung on the right flank. Daung sent the ball ahead to Jason Stevenson, who sent in a wonderful cross to Ashton Watson who grabbed his 4th of the night to make it 6-1.
Andersson Obando would go ahead and score 2 more goals in the next 4 minutes to make it 6-3, and Chandler Givler would score a controversial penalty in the 88th minute to make it 6-4, however their attempted comeback was bottled as Ashton Watson would add his 5th of the night to make it 7-4 in the 90+2" minute off of a Alan Perez free-kick, following a controversial no-red card decision.
With the 7-4 win, Real OP established that they are truly a title-competitor, and are now only one of two teams (with Leawood Forest FC) to remain undefeated in Select League play. They will be entering matchday #4 in 2nd place in the standings against #1 ranked Southside FC.
Real OP 7x4 Woodland FC
Team 1st 2nd Final
Real OP 4 3 7
Woodland FC 1 3 4
Real OP Starting Lineup: Kleber Meneses; Robert Mugabe, Phill Otsyula(c), Moe Oo, Moses Daung; Alan Perez, Michael Nichols, Jason Stevenson; Ashton Watson, Andres Chavira, Victor Nichols
Subs: Abraham Lopez, Carlos Ruz, Davey Valentin-Rosalio, Danny Garcia, Jason Duarte, Richard Villalobos, Salim Omesa
Goal Summary:
5" - 0-1 - Spence Jean-Baptiste(penalty) Woodland FC
17" - 1-1 - Victor Nichols(Andres Chavira, Ashton Watson) Real OP
21" - 2-1 - Ashton Watson(Alan Perez) Real OP
38" - 3-1 - Ashton Watson(Carlos Ruz) Real OP
41" - 4-1 - Ashton Watson(Roberto Mugabe, Kleber Meneses) Real OP
63" - 5-1 - Victor Nichols(Jason Stevenson, Roberto Mugabe) Real OP
68" - 6-1 - Ashton Watson(Jason Stevenson, Moses Daung) Real OP
69" - 6-2 - Andersson Obando(unassisted) Woodland FC
72" - 6-3 - Andersson Obando(Josh Sherfy) Woodland FC
88" - 6-4 - Chandler Givler(penalty) Woodland FC
92" - 7-4 - Ashton Watson(Alan Perez) Real OP