​Carty’s last-minute penalty kick gives Huron United the win over TMSL leaders

In the midst of a late June heat wave, the Huron United Football Club came up against league leaders Riverside FC B in their Tri-City Men's Soccer League match, June 24.

The teams exchanged early chances, with Huron United generating looks off of turnovers on the strength of its relentless press. Attackers Adam Carty, Jason Leiskau, and Andrew Wiegersma denied the Riverside backline a moment's peace in possession.

Huron United’s backline, led by centre-backs Masoom Saromie and Anderson Wolfe, consistently frustrated Riverside’s attack by baiting the team into offside after offside. Huron United’s best chances came near the close of the opening frame, with midfielders James Jeffreys and Flynn Colwell-Castles forcing Riverside's keeper into diving saves with well-placed shots from distance. 

The first half's standout performer was goalkeeper Josh Coleman, who smothered multiple Riverside breaks with well-timed ventures outside of his box.

A. Carty started off the second frame with a trademark missile from distance that Riverside's keeper was only able to push around the post with a fully-extended leap. Riverside immediately launched a counterattack which Coleman again shut down by rushing out to relieve the opposition striker of the ball.

A skirmish initiated by a Riverside player culminated in a mutual ejection in the 50th minute, leaving the teams to play out the match shorthanded. Huron United’s next chance came after Wiegersma forced a turnover, allowing midfielder Cam Fletcher to square a pass to Drew Cobean, whose hard shot was denied at close range.

Wiegersma later had a near-miss of his own. Midfielder Jacob Hunsburger’s dummy on fullback Charlie Hall-Elwood’s centring pass created space for Cobean, who put Wiegersma through for a low strike that went only inches wide.

The closing minutes saw some frantic clearances from Colwell-Castles (who was deputizing at CB after Wolfe’s red card) and fullbacks Ryan Carty and Angus Sharpe. A desperation tackle on A. Carty in the box gave Huron United a penalty in the 90th minute. Carty stepped to the spot, facing jeers and taunts from the Riverside players, and smashed his penalty in off the bar to give Huron United the 1-0 victory in the dying moments.

The squad overwhelmingly voted Coleman as Man of the Match for his clean sheet, with an honourable mention going to Colwell-Castles. The win brings Huron United’s record on the season to 3-1-2. Fletcher, ever the statistician, also noted that he remains personally undefeated in matches he's attended this season.

Huron United FC, based out of Saugeen Shores United Football Club, continues its TMSL campaign against Simba FC, Tuesday, July 8, at Spinrite Field, Listowel. The squad features players from Kincardine, Port Elgin, and surrounding areas. For team updates, visit kdslsoccer.com.