BILLY GARTON JR LEADS CAL UNITED TO 3 POINTS AGAINST 1904 FC

The former 1904 FC player shined against his old teammates in a 3-1 win.
 

IRVINE, CA – Cal United Strikers FC earned a second half comeback win against 1904 FC on Wednesday afternoon.

 

Goals from Christian Thierjung, Tony Lopez, and Billy Garton Jr. meant Cal United Strikers ended their home account with a win this Spring.

 

After a subpar performance against Maryland Bobcats, Cal United Strikers were looking to bounce back. The club was forced to play away from Championship Soccer Stadium due to scheduling conflicts, which prevented the game from being broadcasted live.

 

Head Coach Don Ebert made a number of changes to the starting lineup as Hogbin, Treinen, Fuerte, Garton Jr., and Waldrep found themselves back in the fold.

 

Despite the riches in attacking talent, goals haven't been easy to come by, and the team was more determined than ever to put that to rest on Wednesday afternoon.

 

Cal United dominated the opening parts of the game, with Nuno and Lopez combining on several occasions. Lopez saw an early shot blaze over the bar after a turnover in the midfield from 1904 FC.

 

Nuno's hold up play would prove crucial in the first half as it constantly brought in the midfield into the game.

 

The middle of the first half saw Cal United defending with Bowers, Hogbin, and Fuerte all heading away dangerous crosses from the 1904 FC attacking line.

 

Fuerte, in particular, heroically blocked a certain goal on the line in the 15th minute to keep the score level.

 

Thierjung found the net in the 22nd minute, but he was judged offside, much to the dismay of the Cal United Strikers coaching staff.

 

Head Coach Don Ebert voiced his displeasure again to the refs when Lopez broke through the middle, but his shot was saved. During the run, Lopez was clipped, but was able to still get his shot off.

 

The ref sent off Don moments later during another dispute, leaving the Cal United Strikers bench manned by coaches Beto Navarro, Willie Diaz, and Roy Chingirian.

 

Tony saw another shot go just over the bar after some good work from Nuno in the 35th minute.

 

The 39th minute saw Waldrep get his first look at goal, but his shot wasn't as strong enough to test the 1904 FC keeper.

 

The halftime break saw Cal United Strikers make a forced change with Bowers coming off with a small injury. De La Fuente stepped in.

 

 

Lopez on the ball (left); Nuno chasing down the ball (right).

 

 

Nuno had the first chance of the second half, with his left footed strike finding only the keeper.

 

Unfortunately, 1904 FC took the lead moments later. Dallin Cutler headed in at the back post after another goal line save from Fuerte. The ensuing cross back in the box lead to the goal.

 

Cal United Strikers found themselves in a position, again, where they had been playing well but are trailing. The team weren't going to let it stay like that, and Garton Jr. stepped up and starting controlling the midfield after Cal United Strikers changed their system to a 3 back.

 

The 66th minute saw Nuno put another effort just wide, but the signs were there that Cal United Strikers team wasn't backing down.

 

Then, in the 72nd minute, they broke through.

 

Garton Jr. picked up the ball in the middle and sliced the 1904 FC defense with a great ball in between their center backs. Thierjung put it away into the corner to bring us level.

 

Cal United Strikers almost got a second immediately, when Garton Jr. found Lopez this time, but his effort was saved.

 

Garton Jr. had another moment of magic when his quick feet found substitute Gonzo, but his shot was smartly saved, too.

 

Then, finally, Cal United Strikers found the opening.

 

The play started from Garton Jr., again, and his ball in to Thierjung almost ended in a goal, but his wayward shot was kept in smartly by Nuno. Nuno cut the ball back to Gonzo, who put in a peach of a cross to Lopez. His header gave us the go-ahead goal in the 87th minute.

 

Minutes later, Garton Jr. got the goal his second half deserved. An error from the 1904 FC defense led to a 1-on-1 with the 1904 FC keeper, and Garton Jr. kept his cool and slotted him for the 3 points.

 

A good end to the home leg of our spring season is only good news as we travel to North Carolina for our rescheduled game against Stumptown AC next Tuesday.

 

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