news220

Silver Spring, MD – In a must win situation, the Real Maryland Monarchs got the much needed three points at home this evening. The win keeps the team in the final playoff spot going into the final week of the 2009 USL 2 Regular Season.

The Monarchs take the regular season series between the two teams with a 4-3 victory at Richard Montgomery High School. The home side looked like they were going to run away with the match early as the Monarchs got on the board just 12 seconds into play. On a quick play off the opening touch, the ball got to the feet of speedy front runner Cecil Lewis. Lewis wasted no time taking advantage of open space on the Hogges right side. As the defense shifted, Lewis played the ball across the floor through the box for the tap in by #9 Jamie Holmes.

Real Maryland did not relent the pressure as they kept up the intensity on the visiting Hogges. In the 16th minute of play, the pressure paid off as Ryan Cordeiro found #9 Jamie Holmes in the right spot again to put the home team up by two goals.

The Hogges were determined not to go down without a fight. As the first half wore on, the Bermuda Hogges found the attention of the referee as he handed out four yellow cards. In the 43rd minute of play, both teams lost a player to red cards as both teams were not going to let the other push them around.

The ejections seemed to rattle the home side in the extra minutes of stoppage time of the first half. Within 2 minutes of play, in five minutes of stoppage time, Stephen Astwood managed to find the back of the net twice to pull the Hogges even.

The second half picked up where the first left off. The home side seemed to be on their heels as if they were still stunned by the two upper cuts landed by Astwood. #0 David Kern did his best by coming up with saves while the Monarchs tried to regroup.

In the 77th minute, the Bermuda Hogges took the air out of the stadium as Lloyd Holder found the back of the net from an assist by Lashun Dill. But, in majestic fashion, the Monarchs marched right down the other end and answered with a brilliant goal by newcomer Kevin King from Jeff Carroll. Kevin was focused on making his mark in his first appearance with Real Maryland FC. In the 82nd minute, King found the back of the net again from a nice assist from Cecil Lewis.

The Monarchs now head down to Wilmington on Wednesday, August 12th to close out the regular season. The team will wait to see where they stand after that. If the Monarchs are to host a playoff game it will be on Wednesday, August 19th at Richard Montgomery High School.

Real Maryland FC participates in the Second Division of the United Soccer Leagues. All 2009 Regular Season Home Games will be played at Lester Stadium at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, MD. For more information or tickets, please visit realmaryland.us or contact General Manager David Noyes at (301) 933-6460.