June 8, 2014 League 1 Ontario--Vaughan Azzurri vs Sigma FC (from League 1 Ontario website)
Vaughan Azzurri 2 - Sigma FC 1 . Tue Jun 10 Written By: Cromie, Chris Vaughan Azzurri sealed their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Sigma FC at the Ontario Soccer Centre field, thanks to Matthew Stinson's stoppage time goal. Vaughan opened the scoring early through Andrew Ornoch in the 5th minute. The Azzurri forward crept inside from the left and skillfully prodded the ball home from ten yards. As both teams found their tempo, the back and forth contest showcased two technically proficient squads that weren't afraid to put their foot on the ball, nor through it. Sigma midfielder Giuliano Franco set the tone halfway through the first half with a crunching tackle on Matthew Stinson in the middle of the park. The two sides traded early chances, with Vaughan's Carlos Nogueira magically weaving through opponents from the inside right before firing a shot off-target in the 31st minute. Ninety seconds later, Sigma's Emery Welshman showed his class with a mazy run through the middle that lacked only a final pass. As the second half kicked off, fans at the OSA Centre field were treated to another early goal. Just two minutes in, Sigma's Mark Anthony Gonzalez capitalized on an error from Casey D'Mello and pounced to direct the ball past goalkeeper Colm Vance. The goal introduced a period of dominance for Sigma as they pushed forward in waves against a deflated Azzurri. In the 60th minute, Johnny Grant cut in from the right and forced a fine save from Vance. Five minutes later, Welshman lifted a sumptuous cross with the outside of his boot to Gonzalez, but the forward couldn't connect the header into what would have been an open goal. The squandered chances would come back to haunt Sigma. In time added on, Brandon Goode gave away possession and a free kick twenty-five yards from goal. Knowing this would be their last chance of the game, Vaughan sent the bulk of their side forward. Matthew Stinson lifted the ball into the box and towards the back post. At first, it looked like he'd played it too long as it sailed over the heads of the attack. If Stinson had miscued, so had Greg Ranjitsingh. The Sigma goalkeeper threw his hands helplessly towards the top corner but the ball floated past him and into the back of the net. The home crowd erupted. Stinson's stoppage time winner would prove to be the last kick of the match as the referee sounded for full time and an unlikely, but crucial, three points for Vaughan Azzurri.
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