Woodland FC traveled to Liberty Missouri to take on Liberty FC in the home opener for the Blue
Lions. This was the first road test for the Royals as they sought to build on their thrilling season-opener vs Southside FC, and keep the pressure on the other league leaders.
The Royals were missing some key players on a steamy Spring Saturday, but proved they were up to the challenge coach Harris presented them during pregame.
"We knew that another match kicked off an hour before us, and we wanted to try and be the first club in league history to record a shutout," said after the match.
The Royals delivered a masterful performance from the opening kickoff. They controlled possession in large swathes, and kept the pressure on through great attacking combinations with their midfield and forwards. After just 4' the deadlock was broken. Andersson Obando would open the scoring after pouncing on a loose ball off a corner kick.
To Liberty's credit, they stabilized well and fended off the Royals for several minutes afterward. They cleared many attacking threats, and were able to block some gilt-edged opportunities from the Royals. But the resistance would not be able to hold on.
In the 32', Spence Jean-Baptiste would slot home the Royals' 2nd thanks to an excellent through ball from Brennan Williams after they pounced on a turnover.
Just a few moments later in the 34' Jean-Baptiste would add his 2nd off an excellent cross from Spencer Bone. The Royals worked the ball from one sideline to the other and were able to finish an excellent attacking move.
The Royals would continue their flowing movement right before the half when in the 38' Andersson would claim his 2nd as well off an excellent and unselfish pass from Chandler Givler. Andersson collected the pass, and curled in a top shelf goal into the far corner. The Royals would go into the half up 4-0.
They would not let up.
In the 48' Gee Lobbo finished an excellent attack down the left hand side with a thunderous strike on goal to give the Royals a 5-0 lead. The movement was set up by an aggressive movement from midfielder Max Torres.
The game would start to get chippy in the 61' when Royals captain, Chandler Givler, appeared to be clipped from behind on what the centre ref judged to be a no-call. Liberty defender Carlos Jaramillo and Givler engaged in an altercation that the Centre-ref judged Jaramillo to be the instigator of, and he was subsequently shown the red card for his troubles. Givler received a yellow.
In the 81' Andersson would complete his hat-trick off a wonderfully placed low cross from Lobbo.
The rout would be made complete when Jean-Baptiste would slot home his 3rd on the last kick of the game to complete his hat-trick as well. He was played in off a wonderful back-heeled pass from Andersson who would take home man-of-the-match honors after the 7-0 win.
The Royals went top of the table taking 6/6 available points. Their next match is against Real Overland Park on Friday, April 19th, at 5:30pm, at home.
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