Sports Club Claims Championship by Beating Cash Now

Flint Sports Soccer Club claimed its 10th league title in 11 years by beating Cash Now 3-1 on Wednesday night. Despite the extreme humidity, both teams were energized to start the game. However, neither team threatened to score until the 20th minute. After Cash Now was whistled for a foul on Nathan Markee, Chris Hallstrand set up to take a set piece from nearly 40 yards out. Instead of launching a long ball into the box, Hallstrand played the ball on the ground to Paul Vance just outside the 18 yard box. Vance got in behind the defense and but was taken down before getting a shot off. The referee awarded a penalty which Vance converted to make the score 1-0.

Cash Now evened the score in the 33rd minute after a scramble in front of the net and a poor clearance by the Sports Club. The teams played to a stalemate for the remainder of the half.

The second half saw FSSC dominate possession which led to some quality scoring opportunities. Yet, the Sports Club struggled to find the back of the net. With the defense winning most of the balls in the air, FSSC continued to pressure the Cash Now backline. Finally, in the 58th minute, Sports Club found the back of the net when Twin Two played the ball to a leaping Paul Simpson who buried it home. After going ahead by a goal, the Sports Club defense did most of the heavy lifting, winning balls and making fine distribution decisions. Sports Club sealed the victory in the 77th minute when Mike Sly sent a beautiful cross to a streaking Nathan Markee who coolly headed the ball past the keeper. Sports Club goalie Geoff Gale was never really threatened as the defense prevented Cash Now from placing any shots on net in the second half.

Box Score:

FSSC - P. Vance (unassisted) - 20’
CN – Jake (unassisted) – 33’
FSSC – Simpson (Twin Two) – 58’
FSSC – Markee (Sly) – 77’

Man of the Match – Paul Simpson

Finals Set For August 18

Flint Sports Soccer Club easily disposed of Capital Kickers 6-0 to set up a rematch with rival Cash Now in the over-thirty league championship. Scoring for FSSC were Paul Simpson, Twin 2, Andy Rishmawi, Nathan Markee, and Mike Sly (2). Keeper Geoff Gale kept a clean sheet by making three saves.

The championship match is set for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Fieldhouse.

Playoffs

Thanks to the brilliant minds over at the Fieldhouse our first playoff game is this Sunday, August 13 at 9:00 p.m. against Budweiser/Capital at the Fieldhouse. Among the numerous reasons this is ridiculous: (1) we are playing indoor soccer in the month of August; and (2) the game will not get over until 11:00 p.m. at the earliest (if it goes into overtime and PKs we could be looking at midnight). Reasons #186 and 187 why FSSC should find another place to play after this season.

Sports Club and Cash Now Play to a Draw

FLUSHING, MI - Flint Sports Soccer Club salvaged a tie against local rival Cash Now on a humid Sunday evening, before a sparse crowd of thirty-four fans. Sports Club fell behind early in the first half when the ball deflected of Jesse Wilson’s shoulder and into the Sports Club net. An otherwise lackluster first half ended with a frustrated Sports Club dominating possession.

The second half was much more eventful as Sports Club peppered the Cash Now goalie with a plethora of shots. Finally, in the 75th minute some brilliant combination play led to a Mike Vance goal from 18 yards out. Sports Club continued its onslaught for the next twenty minutes but was unable to break through. Some fine goal tending, timely clearances and poor finishing all combined to leave the score tied at 1-1.

Box Score:

FSSC - own goal - 25'
FSSC - M. Vance (Sly) - 75'

Sports Club Wins St. Joe Summerfest Tournament

SAINT JOSEPH, MI - Flint Sports Soccer Club won the 2010 St. Joe Summerfest Tournament over the weekend by beating local rival Cash Now in the championship match. Sports Club advanced to the final on the strength of its defense after going undefeated in group play and not allowing a goal. Sports Club won the all Flint final by a score of 2-1 in what proved to be a hard fought, but weary legged game.

After going down a goal early in the first half, Nathan Markee equalized for Sports Club a mere 5 minutes into the second half. Omar then put Sports Club ahead for good with 10 minutes left in regulation and the Sports Club defense, led by a stellar tournament from keeper Paul Simpson, preserved the victory.

Flint Sports Soccer Club - 2
Cash Now - 1

Scoring:

CN - Cheap shot artist (7')
FSSC - N. Markee (C. Hallstrand) (30')
FSSC - Omar (M. Vance) (41')


Game 1:

FSSC - 5
Diamond City - 0

Scoring:

Mike Markee
Fab Villarreal (2)
Lujuan Grigsby
Omar

Clean sheet - Paul Simpson

Game 2:

FSSC - 1
Kalamazoo Bells - 0

Scoring:

Fab Villarreal

Clean sheet - Paul Simpson

All Tournament Team:

Paul Simpson
Mike Atkins
Fab Villarreal
Nate Markee

Sports Club Stays Undefeated with 6-2 Victory

FSSC kept its unbeaten streak alive with a convincing 6-2 triumph over Justice League. Scoring goals for Sports Club were Nate Markee (2), Andy Rishmawi, Mike Vance, Tony Vance and Paul Vance.

Tournament information for this weekend will be posted soon.

Sports Club Tops U-30 Team

Flint Sports Soccer Club topped U-30 side Feather Foot on a hot and humid Sunday evening. After falling behind 2-0 a mere 15 minutes into the match, it figured to be a long night for the Sports Club. However, the Sports Club was able to slow the pace of the game and got on the score board in the 22nd minute after some nifty passing in the midfield created a chance for Mike Sly. Minutes later another good combination knotted the score at 2-2 with Mike Vance providing the finish.

The two sides played even for the next ten minutes until a Sports Club counter attack resulted in Mike Sly’s second goal of the evening. The 3-2 lead was short lived however as a mistake on the backline resulted in a Sports Club own goal in the 38th minute. Undeterred, Sports Club newcomer Andy Rishmawi put the team back on top (4-3) just before halftime when he slotted the ball past the keeper from 8 yards out.

The second half started with Sports Club assuming a more defensive posture in trying to protect their one goal lead. The two sides played to a stalemate until Tony Vance blasted a shot from 20 yards out to give Sports Club a 5-3 lead. The two goal cushion was short lived as a defensive miscommunication resulted in an easy goal for the U-30 side in the 75th minute. Now down just one goal, Feather Foot began pressing and pushing players forward from the back. They eventually earned a penalty but the spot kick was denied by Geoff “The Chief” Gale, who added to his career total of 176 penalty kicks saved. With Feather Foot desperate to equalize, Sports Club was given several counter attack chances and finally capitalized when Andy Rishmawi scored his second goal of the game in the 88th minutes. Final score: Sports Club - 6, Feather Foot - 4

Goals:
Sly (22’)
M. Vance (26’)
Sly (36’)
Rishmawi (41’)
T. Vance (75’)
Rishmawi (88’)


Man of the Match: Geoff Gale