Bradenton Academics does Home Double with Wins over Conference rivals Atlanta and Mississippi
The Academics took sole possession of first place with a 2-1 win over table leader Mississippi on Monday. In a game that looked like 2 punch drunk heavy weights neither team looked to score over the first 45 minutes as neither Goal Keeper were barely bothered. After an adjustment to the formation at the half the Academics successfully spread the opponents’ defense and started to move the ball but it was the Brilla who came closest to scoring first with a near miss to the far post from close range. Two substitutions for tired legs played quick dividends as both scored with in minutes of coming on. First Ben Everson scored after he ran past 2 defenders from left to right at the top of the box before he dispatched a low and accurate left footed shot into the far post. Pressing off the kickoff the Academics scored in the same minute as Matthew Clare toe poked the game winner past a bemused Brilla goalkeeper and a stunned defense. The Academics held on in a nervous finish and should have went 3-0 when Everson failed to square a ball on the break as the Brilla were caught pushing. Guillerme Reis was outstanding at marshalling the defence over the course of the 2 matches.
