RECAP: ALBION SC PROS 2, DEPORTIVO CORAS USA 0

On Saturday night, Albion SC Pros had a chance to keep their undefeated season alive while Deportivo Coras USA were focused on stealing some points on the road in order to bridge the gap at the top of the table. After an exciting back and forth match, Albion Pros found their feet in front of net, beating Coras USA 2-0 under the lights on Saturday evening. With this win, Albion Pros sit at first place, five points clear of Deportivo Coras, as well as keeping their goal of an undefeated season alive and well.

After a slight delay due to a transportation conflict, the game between Albion Pros and Coras USA was underway. The first half started off with immediate reaction from the home crowd, with The Deep End chanting from the first minute onward. The game started off relatively even, both teams holding each other to several half chances and ineffective long range efforts. Albion Pros’ back line were maintaining their shape just as they have all season, even without their captain Luke Staats, allowing Coras USA no free space in behind.

The first piece of real action came with 38 minutes left in the half, when Deportivo picked up their first of four yellow cards in the half. Shortly after, Albion Pros saw their first real goal scoring opportunity as forward Matthew Clare took a shot from range, forcing the Coras goalkeeper to make a diving save. The first half also saw Albion Pros constantly looking to feed balls to Lester “Tre” Hayes with restricted success.

Albion Pros would finally find success with 28 minutes left in the first half, off a corner which saw Jakub “Kuba” Waligorski get on the end of the cross, with a low and powerful header finding the back of the net. Albion started taking control of the game more and more, and Deportivo was subjected to make a vital last second tackle to stop breakaway. Coras did pick up perhaps their best chance of the half with 16 minutes left, as a set piece found an empty man in the box, forcing keeper Jean Antoine to make a last- ditch save.

The second half saw a relatively even opening once again, but this time with Coras maintaining a bit more possession without any clear cut chances. There were several crosses and throws into the box, with Antoine dominating everything around his box.

Albion Pros had little success with their attempted through balls until the 61st minute when a through ball down the right to forward David Luquen, who cleverly cut back and played a ball through the middle to his teammate, which was cleared off the line by a Coras defender. Albion received their first yellow of the match in the 68th minute, which was issued to Felipe Liborio. The next ten minutes or so saw Albion Pros dominating possession without really producing any concrete goal chances.

After being pressed in their own half for the final ten minutes, Albion came away with a counter attack, which saw a single Coras defender facing three Albion Pros flying forward at full speed.  Clare was then faced one-on-one with the keeper from the right side, and slotted the ball past the keeper, putting the game to rest.

Albion Pros travel to face current second place team SoCal SC on Saturday, June 11th.