ACFC settles for 3-3 Perya draw

Angel City dropped its first points of the season, settling for a 3-3 tie with a scrappy and somewhat screamy FC Perya side Tuesday night at John Ferraro.

The game started on a surprising note with forward Brandon Cole lobbing in a cross from the far right side, deep in Perya territory, only to have it fly over the keeper and into the net. The goal came in the first minute. However, four minutes later, Perya were awarded a controversial penalty kick after one of their aging forwards took a dive and rolled around screaming in the box. Seconds later the forward bounced up to take the penalty, which brought the score up to an even 1-1.

The manoeuver would be repeated several times throughout the match, though not to the same success. A yellow card for repeated diving, however, was not forthcoming from the officials.

A Perya own goal -- following a mad scramble in the box at the 37-minute mark -- and a shot from Peter Wasek -- off passes from Russ Muratov and Matthew McCallum -- left the score 3-1 at the half.

The second half saw chances on both ends, and several key acrobatic saves by ACFC keeper Dave Styles ... who was voted MVP of the game.

A mis-communication in the box saw Perya net one back at the 58-minute mark, and much to the disappointment of the men in blue, a third goal was conceded minutes before the final whistle off a failed clearance and subsequent deflection off a shot into the goal mouth.

ACFC's record now sits at six wins and a tie. Angel City's next game will be a return match against the Sentinels, Tuesday, March 10 at Griffith Park with an 8:45 PM kickoff.


GAME STATS

Goals: Brandon Cole, OG, Pete Wasek
Assists: Russ Muratov, Matthew McCallum
ACFC MVP: Dave Styles
Shots: ACFC (9), FC Perya (6)
Corners: ACFC (1), FC Perya (5)
Yellow Cards: ACFC (0), FC Perya (0)