Due to injuries and illness Ashton Bell and his Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy (Bradford RIASA) teammates had a very small squad for their game against Curzon Ashton, with only one outfield substitute. The Bradford RIASA captain was also unavailable due to suspension.
This meant that some players were playing out of position and it would make for a very tough game. Away from home, against second in the league, who were in great form going into the game.
Bradford RIASA started the match on the front foot and were looking to attack the opposition from the off. Connor Kogge had the first chance of the game, with a half volley from the edge of the box, going wide of the post.
Against the run of play Curzon took the lead, with a great strike from the edge of the box. Bradford RIASA reacted well and were creating chances for themselves, David Lethco came close with a free kick from distance, but saw it saved by the opposition keeper.
Lethco then came close again, this time from inside the box, but could only find the side netting. The buildup play for the chance was really well worked, involving Josh Rosenstrauch and Oscar Cortez.
Curzon then doubled their lead, again against the run of play, with another brilliant strike from the edge of the box.
Once again Bradford RIASA reacted in the right way and continued to dominate the midfield and possession and create chances.
Rosenstrauch then scored with the goal coming from a fantastic counter attack. Michael Rincon went flying down the left side, leading to Kogge, playing in Rosenstrauch, who reacted first to the keepers rebound of his initial effort.
Bradford RIASA Team Manager Kamran Stead said, “At half time we talked about being a bit more solid in defense and moving the ball quicker when we were in possession.”
Bradford RIASA came out for the second half knowing what they had to do in order to get a result. Just over five minutes in, and Rincon received the ball and attacked the full back with real pace/purpose showing great skill and balance and smashed the ball into the roof of the goal with his left foot drawing the game level at 2 - 2.
The game really started to open up, with both teams looking to go in front. Rincon was looking a real threat in wide areas and also Lethco was getting into some brilliant position, showing great movement/awareness.
Bradford RIASA were also solid in defense with the two center-backs including Bell in synch, and the full backs doing their job fantastically. Bradford RIASA started to take control of the game again and were moving the ball much quicker and creating good chances.
With just over five minutes to play and Rincon picked the ball up and again exploited the space in front of him and accelerated away from the opposition defense, showing good composure, he slid the ball past the keeper, into the bottom corner to give Bradford RIASA a 3 – 2 lead.
Curzon responded by pushing more men forward as they searched for an equalizer and this created space for Bradford RIASA to exploit, with Jeffrey Giroux providing brilliant crosses from the right side.
Lethco then pressed the opposition and forced them into a mistake, winning a penalty. He selflessly gave to Kogge to take, since Kogge had sustained a nasty cut above the eye earlier in the second half, but had it bandaged and continued to play.
Kogge dispatched the penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Stead said, “To summarize it was a fantastic performance from the lads and they fully deserved the victory, showing great character and desire, coming back from 2 goals down. They gave it everything and left nothing on the pitch. From defense to attack, all the players were brilliant and I was so proud and happy for them.”
