Woodland FC maintained their winning ways by taking down a tough Olathe United team last Friday in their Matchday 6 encounter in Shawnee Kansas.
The Royals debuted their White/Blue kits for this match as a well drilled Olathe fought hard in what would prove to be a tight, tense, cagey, tactical affair. Olathe (3pts, 1-0-3) took the lead early through some great passing down the right flank of the Royals, culminating in a cross that Parker Hurla was able to head past Luke Heaton for the visitors in the 20th minute. It was the first match all season where the Royals had failed to draw first blood.
Coach Harris would make a change shortly after conceding, introducing Spence Jean-Baptiste into the match. Just 7 minutes later, the ball would break to Chandler Givler. He found Brennan Williams in a pocket of space, and Williams fed a perfectly weighted through-ball to the on-rushing Jean-Baptiste, who would fire the ball toward goal and deflected past the Olathe keeper who couldn't adjust to the wicked deflection.
With parity restored, the Royals smelled blood. As they've done so many times this season, the Royals struck in quick succession. After reclaiming an overhit cross, Jean-Baptiste recycled the ball out to Pierre Bellerice who beat one man, crossed the ball back into the box, where Brennan Williams rose highest to head home the ball into the near corner.
The Royals came within a whisker of claiming a 3rd right before halftime, but Olathe's keeper produced a stunning reflex save off a close-range shot from Spencer Bone.
2nd half
The match would continue without much incident as the teams exchanged blows to begin the half. The Royals were desperate to find that insurance goal and they would get it in the 63rd minute off the right foot of Spencer Bone. He was able to sweep a loose ball in the box past the keeper to score his first career goal in the Select League.
With the 3-1 lead in front of them, Olathe would respond like fighters. They capitalised on a misplaced pass in the attacking 3rd, counter-attacked down the left side, and an excellent cross to Parker Hurla was headed in for his 2nd of the match. Time would tell how important that insurance goal would be.
The Royals wanted to widen the gap, and restore their 2-goal cushion, and they would have the chance late in the game as Royals striker Haddon DeMoure was taken down in the box on a hard challenge from Olathe defender Simon Esh. Givler stepped up to the spot to take the spot kick, and crashed it off the bar for a goal kick.
The Royals would stave off a late attack as tempers flared from both sides as the match began to wind down. Both teams would avoid referee discipline, and the Royals would claim 3 more points as the centre-ref blew for full-time.
This victory takes the Royals up to 12pts (4-0-1), and first in the standings.
You can watch the match replay here on the Woodland FC youtube page.
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