After a nightmare journey of up to 7 hours the Royals valiantly fought their Va rivals in a tremendous encounter down in Hampton Roads Saturday night. Despite a delayed kick-off the Royals began the game with some of their starters still stuck in traffic after a charter bus overturned en route, backing up traffic for hours on the interstate.
They managed to hang on for half an hour despite the obvious stiffness in player’s legs and a clattering side tackle that saw a Royals’ player taken to hospital. This produced the only sour point of the night as Piranhas high-fived each other after the challenge, I assume they didn’t realize the severity of the incident.
On the half-hour mark the Fish took the lead after a lovely run saw Nicky Fogelsong slot the ball into the left corner of the net with Joel Helmic well beaten. The goal was a pretty as Mr. F.’s young lady who was sat two rows in front of us. Within 5 minutes Conor Smith was given the freedom of the Royals’ six yard box to double the advantage.
This seemed to stir the Royals into action, and just before the half Dave Atkinson and Eber Martinez combined on the right to swing a cross in for Mo Hughes to put in the old onion bag.
Half-time passed with measured hope for the travelling fans, we knew we were in with a shout.
Some smart work on the left wing saw the ball ricochet around the home side’s area before Mo Hughes struck the equalizer, wheeling away in sheer delight as the visitors roared their delight. The pulsating game ebbed & flowed, with chances quickening the heart rate and blood pressure to both sets of fans.
In the 70th minute Nicky Fogelsong crossed a free kick which seemed to take forever to bobble around the Royals’ area before Kyle Hartley headed into an open net.
The Royals struck back with a ferocity that has been rarely seen this season, forcing the Piranhas’ keeper Zmuda on one occasion to leave his defender pole-axed as he climbed over him to punch a ball clear.
But on this night it was not to be for the Royals, a valiant defeat on a beautiful night, in a game that did not matter in terms of play-offs, but proved both teams had fought for their personal pride.
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Chuck Watts.....The beard to be feared !
It is a tragedy that whilst Elvis the Pelvis made millions, his cousin Enos could never sell a record.
He's Welsh, he's red, he's in his brother's bed..Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs.......
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