I actually went to the Dutch Fork and Irmo game expecting it to be a lot closer than their previous meeting. With Irmo being in a little bit of a slump, it being a rivalry game, and it being the third time the two have played against each other inside of a month. With all those variables blended into the game, I knew it would be close.
However, with that being said, I did not expect Dutch Fork to possess the ball as much as they did, especialy in the first half. Yet I didn't really feel that Dutch Fork created a ton of chances through the run of play with the exception of Danny's left footed wonder strike. They were by far most dangerous on set pieces and long throws due to Irmo's lack of size in the goal. Irmo opened up the game in dominating fashion but let off the gas after their early goal and after that the rest of the first half belonged to Dutch Fork. After hitting the crossbar on a free kick and then again off a long throw header, Dutch Fork could have been ahead at half.
The second half was more even with both teams creating chances but most of the play in the midfield. The ten minutes of overtime were the best ten minutes Irmo played the entire match. Dutch Fork played for PK's moving Danny to center back during the second period of extra time.
PK's is a tough way to lose though especially after the effort put forth by the Silver Foxes. Yet a ton of credit has to be given to the Irmo goal keeper Stephen Arneson (sp?) who came off the bench at the end of the second over time just for penalty kicks. After being on the sideline for an entire match, thats a lot to ask of a sophmore to go win the game. His kick save on Cates was brilliant, and he was close to saving another two as well (Another Dutch Fork kick hit the post). All of Irmo's penalty kicks were very nicely taken, and thus lead to the 4-2 pk shootout victory. Overall it was an exciting match with a lot of intensity on the field as well as in the stands but thats what one should expect with a rivalry game. Still for this Irmo alum, it was still to close for my liking. Irmo seems to have regressed a little since their performance in the Lake Murray tournament. With region play starting up I expect them to raise their level a little and return to the form they had at the very beginning of the season. Even though its a loss for DF, it is still an encouraging game with a lot to build on. I still expect them to finish second in the region, only behind the clear number one in the state SV.
