Greenwood, SC – SC United FC Bantams came into their seventh game of the season facing the Southern WV King’s Warriors having lost three games in a row. Coach Winchester was very positive coming into this game stating that his team was coming all out no matter the result.
The first half the Bantams were sitting back letting the King’s Warriors possess the ball in their own half but once they crossed the midfield line into Bantams territory it was a different type of attitude. The pressure from the Bantams made for several counter attacks. It took only 12 minutes for the Bantams to strike one into the net. A counter on the right side where Rittmeyer made his way through the King’s Warriors defense and smashed a hard shot on the ground that the keeper couldn’t save. Devin L’Amoreaux followed the shot up and easily put it in the net.
The King’s Warriors were threatening every opportunity they were given. Robert Beebe made save after save to keep the Bantams in the game. Forward, Forbes from the King’s Warriors struck a shot outside of the 18 yard box that seemed to have gone in but no call was made. The King’s Warriors and Bantams played out the half to a 1-0 Bantams lead.
The second half was full of excitement! Substitute Ryan Hurst used his speed to make the King’s Warriors defense feel the pressure causing them to make mistakes. The Bantams pounced on those mistakes and at one point Hurst had a break away at minute 51 but a defender committed a foul outside of the box. A red card was issued and up to take the direct kick was Nestor Jaramillo. He sent a laser shot on the ground where the wall jumped and went in, right lower 90 putting the Bantams up 2-0.
At this point the King’s Warriors made two substitutions and changed their formation to cope with playing a man down. King’s Warriors midfielder Miguel Teos was still able to cause the Bantams midfield some headaches with his crafty movement on the ball. Although it caused trouble, the Bantams defense was like a break wall and shut down several opportunities.
About ten minutes later another Bantams counter allowed Jaramillo to attack from the left side and connect a beautiful ball to Wofford teammate Hurst. Hurst took advantage of the pass and got his payback for the earlier foul by striking a shot past the King’s Warriors keeper.
The game was still not over. With a man down and a different formation the King’s Warriors changed their attitude and mentality. For the remaining 30 minutes of the game, the King’s Warriors were fearless going forward. Three minutes after the Bantams had scored, King’s Warriors forward Jon Grant sent a rocket outside of the 18 yard box to try and get them back into the game.
It was a battle back and forth but the Bantams came out on top winning 3-1. This now puts the SC United FC Bantams 4-3-0 while the Southern WV King’s Warriors sit at 1-3-0.
The Bantams will be in action Friday, June 21
st when they take on Southern WV King’s Warriors in Beckley, West Virginia and also Saturday, June 22
nd in Greensboro, NC when they face the Carolina Dynamo.
