Rocket City United battles FC Tulsa to 1-1 tie during last home game of regular season

(From release) In it’s final home game of the regular season,  Rocket City United (RCU) tied FC Tulsa (FCT) before 850 fans at Madison City Schools Stadium. In a match RCU badly needed to win, hopes of securing three points were dashed in the 72nd minute by Tulsa’s Ernesto Marquez’ penalty kick. Rocket City United’s goal was scored by the always active Brian Kimbugwe, who would have other chances go begging. Some great goalkeeping from RCU’s reserve Tyler Earley and great midfield play from veteran Norbert Webley were critical factors as the home team built momentum and a lead. The tie at least temporarily puts RCU 2 points below Chattanooga at the top of the  NPSL South Region standings, with Chattanooga playing FC Tulsa on Sunday July 4. RCU are still in the hunt to win the South Region and qualify for the NPSL Final Four to be held on its home ground, but they no longer control their own destiny.

RCU, resplendent in special pink jerseys provided by Mary Kay Cosmetics Foundation to support women’s issues such as breast cancer and domestic abuse, started quickly when Andrew Nkurunungi shot on goal from 35 yards out off a nice ball from Lexi Munro, only to fire straight at Tulsa ‘keeper Irving Peralta. As the first ten minutes elapsed, the action was end-to-end, with Tulsa working a nice give-and-go that beat RCU’s high line, but a late intervention by Steven Van Horn denied an opportunity on goal.

Tulsa’s #10 Abed Elkour looked dangerous, with speedy runs down the RCU right on the ball, and was in on RCU ‘keeper Tyler Earley in the 16th minute, but Earley dove to the near post to save. At the other end, a right-sided cross from Norbert Webley found the head of forward Calvin Mbatha at the far post, but his effort found only the Tulsa goalkeeper.

In the 29th minute, a Derek Pirtle ball towards the top of the Tulsa box created a chance when human wrecking ball Andrew Nkurunungi dispossessed defender Sheldon Barrett and the ball squirted out towards the Tulsa goal, only to be cleared off the line by Barrett himself. Two minutes later, Nkurunungi was brought down just outside the top of the Tulsa area, but Lexi Munro’s subsequent free kick bounded harmlessly off the Tulsa wall.

With 7 minutes left in the first half, Rocket City ‘keeper Tyler Earley, making a rare start, made the play of the half, diving to his left to save a sure goal from an Ernesto Marquez drive from 15 yards. A minute later, it was Earley who was in hot water, when his momentum carried him out of the area with the ball secured in his hands. Earley was booked and Tulsa’s subsequent free kick from Miguel Peralta, taken from the paint on the right edge of Earley’s box, cleared the RCU wall but was an easy save for Earley.

The half ended after three consecutive RCU corners, one by Jacob Letsholo and two from the RCU right side taken by Lexi Munro were successfully defended and referee Bob Johnson blew the whistle.

Rocket City Technical Director Desmond Armstrong made one change at the interval, with Rafael Borges coming on for Derek Pirtle. One minute into the half, Norbert Webley launched a rocket from distance that surprised half the crowd, not to mention Tulsa ‘keeper Irving Peralta, who just managed to parry the ball over his bar. The corner kick opportunity was squandered but moments later a beautiful long ball again by Webley had the Tulsa back line beaten, but RCU strikers Sutton Shults and Andrew Nkurunungi impeded each other and the chance went begging.

In the 54th minute, Jacob Lethsholo played a long free kick on goal. The ball was spilled by Tulsa ‘keeper Peralta and Brian Kimbugwe poked home the ultimate poacher’s goal. 1-0 to RCU. Following the goal, FCT’s  Abed Elkour was booked for dissent. The home team kept attacking, and another Norbert Webley drive was spilled by the Tulsa ‘keeper but cleared by the visitors via Andrew Nkurunungi’s face. The tough Ugandan was up and at ‘em shortly thereafter.

In the 70th minute, Colby Childress came on for veteran Norbert Webley, arguably  RCU’s man of the match up to that point. Two minutes later, Jacob Letsholo brought down Daniel Peralta in the RCU box. Penalty kick for TFC, taken successfully by Ernesto Marquez. 1-1.

The home side tried to respond quickly, first with a Nkurunungi screamer, flying just wide of the right post. The assault continued when the Ugandan and Brian Kimbugwe each created half-chances, but found no joy. RCU’s cause was aided when Miguel Peralta was booked for the 2nd time in the game, and FCT would play a man down for the remainder. Shortly after, RCU Technical Director Desmond Armstrong replaced midfielder Lexi Munro with veteran defender Daniel Segewitz.

Tyler Earley again came to the rescue, oddly enough on TFC’s first shot during the run of play during the 2nd half, diving to save an Elkour effort in the 84th minute. Three minutes later, Sutton Shults, having shifted to the right wing, darted into the middle and unleashed a hard, dipping shot with his left foot which was parried out by the TFC ‘keeper for an RCU corner. Daniel Segewitz’s corner ball flew over his compatriots and was cleared. Then, in the 89th minute Brian Kimbugwe skied over his mark to head a cross that had the FCT ‘keeper beaten, only to carom off the post. The match ended at 1-1.

RCU now faces a tough road to the NPSL Final Four, drawing two of its four home games and having to finish with consecutive away games to Chattanooga FC and Atlanta FC. Regardless, in two weeks time some fine soccer will be played at Madison City Schools Stadium as the first annual “Soccer Wars” festival gets underway July 29. See  HYPERLINK "http://www.soccer-wars.com" www.soccer-wars.com for more information. As always, visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.rocketcityunited.com" www.rocketcityunited.com to vote for your Man of the Match

This reporter’s Man of Match:  Norbert Webley

Starters:  Tyler Earley (GK); Jacob Letsholo, Steven Van Horn, Tom Winspear, Ross Gordon, (D); Brian Kimbugwe, Norbert Webley (C), Brian Kimbugwe, Alexis Munro,(M); Calvin Mbatha, Andrew Nkurungi, Derek Pirtle (F)
Bench: Mike Gustavson (GK); Brian Hadley, Steven Van Horn, Daniel Segewitz (D), Colby Childress, Brian (MF); Derek Pirtle, Sutton Shults (F)
Substitutions:  Shults for Mbatha (28’), Borges for Pirtle(45’), Segewitz for Munro(78’),
Discipline: Earley (43’) Yellow, Segewitz (81’) Yellow
Starters FC Tulsa: Irving Peralta (GK); Ivo Abangma, Brandon Weller, Sheldon Barrett Thomas Rodriguez (D); Juan Peralta, Marvin Escalante, Miguel Peralta, Abed Elkour            (MF);  Daniel Peralta, Ernesto Marguez (F)
Bench:    Rafael Gonzalez (GK);  Angel Frausto, Promise Heme , George Esparza (MF)
Substitutions:  Esparza for Escalante (60’)
Discipline: Miguel Peralta (47’), Elkour (55’) Miguel Peralta (2nd yellow.)
Officials: Bob Johnson, Referee, Assisted by Doug Nelson David Richard. 4th Official Ken Greer
Attendance: 850