The Community Darks entered the Mockingbird Men’s D League placement tournament seeded 2nd after a solid session that saw them only lose once. The full squad was present, with the exception of captain and talisman Daniel “Crazy Legs” Sanders. The knockout tournament was to be played in shorter 12 minute halves all in one night. If the match ended in a draw then 5 minutes of golden goal overtime would be played, followed by penalties.
Quarterfinals - Community Darks v. The Blues
Due to their high seeding, the Darks automatically qualified for the quarterfinals facing the Blues. Things got off to a perfect start, with midfielder Sam Stodgehill scoring from long range with a scorching shot. The Darks looked like they were going to cruise to an easy victory. However, nerves got the better of the boys and they ended up going into the break trailing 2-1 after giving up two soft goals.
After a phoned in tongue lashing from Captain Sanders, who was in Ireland scouting new talent, the Darks took to the field with steely determination. The Darks drew level after striker Ty Kreft cooly converted a penalty won by lanky, German defender Peter Tower when he was brought down in the box by The Blues goalkeeper. From there on out it was smooth sailing as the Darks stamped their authority on the match and rampaged to a 5-2 victory. The semifinals and Red Tide, who the Darks suffered their only defeat of the session to, awaited.
Semifinals - Community Darks v. Red Tide
The Community Darks took the field knowing a true test awaited them in the semifinals facing a strong, physical Red Tide side. The Darks had been unable to beat the Tide in their previous three tries.
The game started choppy, Red Tide knocking the Darks off their slick passing game by flooding the midfield and giving them little time on the ball. The first goal was conceded from a flicked on free kick from well outside the red line. The loss of an early goal unsettled the Darks and they went into the break trailing by two goals, the scoreline 2-0.
Sensing that their run at the title was in jeopardy, the Community Darks came out in the second half guns blazing. Shifting their tactics, the Darks bettered their opponents at their own game, switching to a more direct physical approach. The change paid off and before long the goal the Darks desperately needed came when Tower bundled the ball in after a scrap in the box.
The second half progressed and things started looking grim. The Tide was defending in numbers and, despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, the Darks were unable to find the second goal. Finally, with the clock ticking down, the Darks equalized to send the game into overtime. However, no winner was determined in the extra time and penalties loomed large.
The best of three penalties would decide who would face GE Money in the finals and the Darks chose their shooters, Rob Glasonovic, Ty Kreft, and Sam Stodgehill. Both Glasonovic and Kreft’s penalties were saved by the Red Tide keeper, and after the first two shooters for the Tide converted their penalties successfully, the Darks crashed out of the tournament.
Red Tide went on to lose in the finals to GE Money.
