August 10, 2018 League 1 Ontario--Alliance United FC vs Oakville Blue Devils game review (from League 1 Ontario website)

     
Novak And Joshi Goals Guide Oakville To 2-0 Result Over Alliance
08/10/2018, 3:00pm EDT
By Irene Halis

Goals from Anthony Novak (31') and Hitesh Joshi (45' + 1') helped Oakville Blue Devils collect three points 
on the road after a 2-0 win over the home team, Alliance United FC.

The game had high energy from the get-go as both teams shared possession in search of the opening goal.

Alliance had a chance to break the stalemate when Nicholas Osorio was in one v one on goal but couldn’t quite 
finish on target and put the ball just wide of the left upright. This would be Alliance's best chance 
of the half.

Oakville would get on the scoreboard a few minutes later as Anthony Novak fired a shot into the back 
of the net past Alliance's goalkeeper, Maksim Agapov.

The match was stopped in the 32nd minute due to lightning in the area causing a 30-minute weather delay.

When the match restarted, Alliance came out stronger looking for the equalizer.

A scramble in the box resulted in a shot from Alliance forcing Oakville's goalkeeper Lucas Birnstingl 
to make the diving save right on the goal line. The referee signalled both teams to play on, leaving Alliance 
with open arms thinking they had the equalizer.

The match officials would add on seven minutes of additional time due to an on-field injury before the weather 
delay in the first half.

Oakville's Hitesh Joshi would take advantage in the first minute of extra time, putting his team up 2-0 
as he slotted a goal past Agapov following a scramble in the box.

As the second half rolled around, Oakville found themselves with less possession, pinned in their half, 
with Alliance pressuring - getting nine shots off with six hitting the target. Oakville's Birnstingl was 
kept very busy this half, making six saves and doing well to come off his line and collect in the air.

Alliance had a great chance when a corner was swung into the back post as Jesse Assing got his head 
to it and sailed it just over the top left corner of the net. Alliance's best chances would come from 
corners or crosses into the box.

Oakville found themselves with only two real chances this half on counter-attacks. Filipe Vilela made 
a run down the left side and did well to beat his defender, but his shot was denied after a great save 
from Alliance's Agapov.

Alliance turned up the pressure in the final 10 minutes of the game, looking to get on the scoreboard, 
but they couldn't quite crack the Oakville defence. Steven Furlano tirelessly worked the right side 
of the pitch, getting stuck into tackles and sending crosses into the box.

Alliance's best chance of the game happened late in the game when a cross was squared to the top of the 
box finding the substitute Justin Yarde. Yarde's left-footed strike looked promising but 
Oakville's Birnstingl got down in time to make a fantastic one-handed save – definitely a contender 
for this Matchweek's top highlights.

Despite all their hard work, Alliance found themselves blanked by the defending League1 Ontario champions.

Alliance United will next play Woodbridge on August 12 (7 p.m.) at Vaughan Grove, Woodbridge. 

Oakville Blue Devils will next play Ottawa South United on August 12 (4 p.m.) at Sheridan Trafalgar, Oakville. 

back to 2018 League 1 Ontario Men's index

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