Sarnia FC (Chelsea) faced Club rivals FC (Aresenal) in semi-final action in the Lambton Kent District Youth Soccer League. The winner would advance to the championship finals. On an absolute perfect night for soccer, both teams would come prepared for some high intensity action. Sarnia Chelsea would pressure early and pin Aresenal deep in their end. At the 4 minute mark, Chelsea mid-fielder James Brown would pounce on a loose rebound and hammer the opening goal into the Aresenal net. That was the start of the "James Brown Show"! A few minutes later, Aresenal would tie the game on a well placed shot by striker Blake Wallace. Chesea would once again take the lead when James Brown charged the net and picked-up his second goal of the night, deflecting a loose ball into the left corner of the net. Aresenal would comeback and even the score moments later as the Chelsea defense could not clear the crossing ball as it was chipped behind keeper Andrew Harron. Aresenal would break the deadlock soon after, when mid-fielder Nathan Hawkes sprinted down the touch line and rifled a bullet beyond the outstretched hands of the Chelsea goalie. Prior to the close of the half, James Brown would notch the hat trick firing an errand ball under the Aresenal crossbar. Teams would enter half-time tied at 3's.
An exciting first half would lead to more thrilling action in the second. Both teams would fire out hard with end to end non stop, breathtaking play. Aresenal, would once again take the lead on another goal mouth scramble which ended in a loose ball being converted into a goal. Chelsea would settle and begin to pressure showing their grit. Their determination would finally pay-off. Chelsea striker Mateo Troiani, would juggle the ball three times over defenders and goalie setting up the perfect ball which found the head of James Brown who knocked it in for his forth of the game!!
The goal seemed to ignite the Chelsea players as they continued to dominate play. In the dying minutes of the game Chelsea would be rewarded a corner kick. Striker Mateo Troiani would take the kick but instead passed the ball to mid-fielder Tristen Konrad who played it back to Troiani. From 25 yards out, Troiani would send in the perfect shot, bending the ball into the right top corner of the Aresenal goal. The goal sent jubilation throughout the bench as the boys knew they could close this game out. The Chelsea defenders and goalie would do just that and send the team to the championship finals. Strong performance from both sides of the pitch as it was sad there had to be a loser in this game!
Final Score:
Sarnia FC (Chelsea) 5 - Sarnia FC (Aresenal) 4.
Chelsea will now face Sarnia FC Milan (who upset Chatham in the other semi's) for the U10 Finals.
