Woodland win massive road match--keep season alive at Liberty

Sean Thomson fires Woodland into an early lead.

In a must-win match for both teams, Woodland FC traveled to Gladstone MO and emerged victorious, 3-1, against a red-hot Liberty team. The match was fiercely competitive throughout, but Woodland proved to be just a touch ahead on the day.

The match started with either team separated by only one mere point (Woodland in 2nd, and Liberty in 3rd). Woodland would start the match the way they've started most of their matches this season by finding an early goal to make their opponents start chasing the game. They would find their goal through a turnover forced by TJ Mikkelson who intercepted a lobbed pass by Liberty captain Kolby Gabbert. Mikkelson took 1-2 touches upfield, spotted the run of Sean Thomson, chipped an excellent pass over the defense, Thomson cooly controlled, and smashed it into the goal.

1-0

Liberty would prove equal to the test. After conceding a free kick dep in their own half, Liberty midfiedler, Geoff Ferguson, cleared the free kick out of his own penalty box, straight to Jared Glover. Glover would shift through the gears quickly, outrace his defender, and fire the ball past Naguib Nassir to knot the game up at 1-1.

1-1

The match would go back and forth for a time with teams exchanging possession, but controlled mostly by Woodland. The stalemate would be broken when Mikkelson again stepped through the midfield, and found Brett Jackson timing his run perfectly. Jackson raced toward Liberty keeper Adam Drambour and feinted a shot, Drambour went down to block, and Jackson rounded the keeper and touched it home into an empty net.

2-1

Woodland would almost extend their lead through a diving header from Steeve Pouna off a corner kick, and Spencer Bone off a wonderful curling effort that smacked off the post and the crossbar respectively.

Halftime

The 2nd half was evenly matched, but each team would have only one significant chance each. Not surprising, considering the defensive records of both teams. Naguib Nassir made an excellent save off a low cross to deny Liberty an easy tap in, while Federico Verlicchi would break the game wide open with an incredible goal midway through the 2nd half. After an excellent tackle that robbed Mortaza Panja of the ball, Federico Verlicchi took a touch, spotted Drambour off his line, and unleashed a powerful blast from the midfield line, that sailed over the despairing Drambour, and bounced delicately into the net.

3-1

Woodland would salt the game away, preserving the 3 points, and keeping within sight of Olathe United. Woodland are 5 points behind the league leaders. Their next match is Tuesday, May 27th, against Leawood Forest, at Charles J. Stump Memorial Park, at 6:30PM in Shawnee KS.

Click here to watch the match replay!

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