July 4, 2014 League 1 Ontario--Durham United FC vs Toronto FC Academy (from League 1 Ontario website)

  
Durham United FC 1 - Toronto FC Academy 1
. Mon Jul 7 
Written By: Rollins, Duane  

Durham United played arguably its best game of the season Friday in holding the undefeated Toronto FC 
Academy to a hard fought 1-1 draw in front of a lively crowd of about five hundred in Pickering.

Both teams traded opportunities in a fanatic final five minutes, in a display that showed just how 
exciting League1 can be.

After the game, Durham head coach Tony La Ferrara was ecstatic with his team's performance. 

"It was a good game, good fight from both teams," he said. "Right to the last minute - we were 
pushing, they were pushing. It was an excellent game."

Although the coach refused to highlight any single player for their performance - he said they 
all "worked hard," and deserved equal credit - Durham might feel unlucky to have lost the services 
of Joseph Roccaslava in the first half to injury.

The midfielder was causing all kinds of problems for the TFCA left flank with his probing runs. 
It was one of these runs, in the ninth minute, that opened the game's scoring. 

Taking a long pass from Taylor Lord, Roccaslava controlled on the first touch and hammered 
it home past a diving Mark Rogal. The goal was a bit against the run of play, but not unfair based 
on Durham's effort on the counter.

TFCA responded. The Young Reds cranked up the effort, seemingly determined not to lose their 
undefeated status. However, Durham stood tall in the defence and weathered the storm, even creating 
chances themselves on the counter.

However, when Roccaslava went down - slipping on standing water in the middle of the pitch 
- the game changed.

TFCA were suddenly less concerned by the left flank attacks and were able to get forward more 
aggressively. The equalizing goal, however, would come on a bit of a misplay. A seemingly simple 
ball in the thirty-second minute from about forty-five yards was ever so slightly mishandled 
by Durham keeper Benjamin Cowman. Under most circumstances, it was a play that would have 
no consequence. However, golden boot leader Molham Babouli was the player that was in the perfect 
spot to capitalize.

Babouli would dribble past the keeper, hold the ball a half second to allow a defender 
to overcommit and then slot the ball home perfectly while moving in the opposite direction 
of the goal.

It was a goal scorer's goal and a bit harsh on Durham, who did a wonderful job containing 
Babouli otherwise.

That would be all the scoring for the game, but not because of a lack of opportunities. 
Both teams battled hard in an action-packed second half.

The best chance to find a winner likely came in stoppage time, when TFCA's Dylan Sacramento 
pounced on a loose ball to fire on goal from fifteen yards. However, Cowman made up for his 
earlier bobble with an athletic kick save to save the points for Durham.

Despite failing to get the full three points, TFCA head coach Michael Stefano was happy with 
his young team's overall performance. 

"We controlled the game from start to finish," he said. "Unfortunately we got caught 
on one break, but overall I was pleased with the way we played."

For Stefano the end result, while important, isn't all that he's looking at when evaluating 
the game.

"We'd be foolish to think results don't matter," he said. "Especially at this age.  
Part of their development at this age is understanding the competitive edge you need 
to be a pro.

"But, it's not everything. It's secondary to how we play."

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