The stage was set for the biggest game of the season. First vs Second, both teams having shown their title credentials with their impressive goal differences and Azzurri starting the game with a 100% win record.

It was a cloudy but dry day; the pitch itself was in surprisingly good condition, considering the recent rain and would make for a good flowing game. Before kickoff ReUnited’s manager Seb Becker made it the focus that we would have to be physical and within 5 seconds of kick off it was clear this message had been listened to. Welsh striker Luke Blakebrough lunged in on an Azzurri midfielder. This was a message that ReUnited were up for the fight and were not going to allow Azzurri time on the ball. This mentality continued with a few big tackles, admittedly some rather miss-timed with James Stetzel picking up a yellow.

The first 20 minutes continued with big tackles going in, however Azzurri at this point were creating the better chances with the ever reliable Texan Cody Ahlstrom in ReU’s goal called into action with some smart saves.

The Azzurri pressure however was soon to end and the game started to change with Steve Ishemezwe and Zhenya Karpeta who just arrived from their youth coaching jobs being introduced. It would be Steve Ishemezwe himself who would pick up the important first goal of the game when the Azzurri defense hesitated on the ball and Luke Blakebrough was able to take full advantage of it. He stole the ball off the defender before continuing his run down the right hand side of the pitch. He got to the edge of the box and cut the ball across to an open Steve Ishemezwe, who had made a great run forward on the opposing flank. With one touch he set himself up and finished well, leaving the keeper with no chance.

From here ReUnited took hold of the game and never let go. Just five minutes later Ishemezwe and Blakebrough would once again cause the Azzurri defense issues. A well taken corner by Ishemezwe was headed against the bar by Blakebrough. This was a warning to Azzurri that more goals were to come. Within minutes the same two would link up again and ReUnited countered with quick pace and devastating impact. Steve drove at the defense with Denys Yarych and Luke Blakebrough on either side. This opened up a gap and Steve’s well weighted through-ball was finished first time by Luke from the edge of the area for a 2:0 lead, which gave ReUnited some breathing space.

The rest of the half continued with a frantic pace and a few more yellow cards and big tackles, especially by James Stetzel, but 2:0 it stayed until the break.

The half time team talk was simple; keep battling and strive for the next goal. The magic words of Seb Becker would once again work almost instantly. Within the first minute of the half, ReUnited would play some of the best football of the match. From the center ReUnited played the ball calmly along the backline before finding the influential Zhenya Karpeta. His ball would find Blakebrough, making a run between the center back and left back. Trying to gather it in his stride, Luke almost lost his balance, but was able to keep it and his composure to slide the ball under the advancing keeper for his second goal of the day.

This goal and the speed it came at, put Azzurri into a state of shock and their half time team talk thrown out the window. It largely killed the game as a contest as the ever present back four of ReUnited, James Stetzel, Max Kondratev, Mike Kutuzov and Derek Yesionowski were looking like their reliable self with only 5 goals conceded all season up to this point, the best in the league.

ReUnited slowed the game down and although Azzurri to their credit pushed for goals, the soon to be Man of the Match Cody Ahlstrom made a string of good saves and commanding catches.

The final nail in the coffin came in the 58^th minute. Denys Yarych and Zhenya Karpeta who had run the midfield along with the impressive Matt Tworek, would combine to help create the fourth goal. Karpeta’s through ball to Blakebrough bounced off the striker’s knee with pressure from the Azzurri defender. It rolled nicely to Turkmen winger Oraz Arslanov, who still had lots to do. From just outside the box he hit it first time, curling the ball into the top right hand corner of the net. A great finish which summed up ReUniteds clinical nature.

That really should have been it, but for a few sparks to end the game. The match slowed down with Azzurri disheartened and ReUnited happy to see the game out. Denys Yarych however had different ideas. He was caught badly by the Azzurri strikers trailing arm. This caused Denys Yarych to react with a push, which saw both players receiving a yellow card, but with Denys already having received one before, this turned into a red card and he was shown his marching orders. After this, the game fizzled out for the final 15 minutes, although Azzurri would gain somewhat of a conciliation with 2 minutes remaining as Max Kondratev dragged back their striker for a clear penalty. The penalty itself was well taken, leaving ReU keeper Cody Ahlstrom with no chance.

Two minutes later, referee Ma Lei blew the final whistle, which gave way to celebrations for ReUnited who knew how big a win this was. Azzurri had ultimately missed too many chances and ReUnited taken theirs. Beer and Vodka shots (thanks to Mike Kutuzov) were to follow and celebrations went on for hours at the Park Tavern.

This leaves ReUnited, Azzurri and Voodoo all with 24 points from 9 games, but ReUnited sitting on top with the better goal difference and 4 massive games to win the first round of the league.