Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

It was a tale of two halves.

The St. Joseph Flyers went from struggling in the first half to executing its game in the second half as they beat the Fairland Dragons 4-2 on Saturday in a soccer game.

The teams were tied 1-1 at the half and left Flyers’ coach Mike Balestra scratching his head.

“The first half was frustrating. We were on the attack and had possession more but couldn’t put it in the goal,” said Balestra.

“We hit the post and had several shots go wide. Three corner kicks dropped into the 6-yard box only to be cleared.”

St. Joseph took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Peyton Adkins and an assist by Dylan Arrington just five minutes into the game.

Fairland tied the game at the 11-minute mark on a penalty kick by Jared Wilkes.

But the Flyers got an unassisted goal by Zack McGraw at the 46:00 mark, Isaac Whaley scored a minute later with an assist from Alexander Ward and Adkins made it 4-1 with an assist from Blake Balestra at the 62:00 mark.

Fairland’s second goal came with 68:00 on the clock when Alex Naegele scored an unassisted goal.

“In the second half we started playing our game and keeping the ball more. We settled into our game and keeping the ball more. We got a little more patient, we started to pick the right passes and get better touches,” said coach Balestra.

“We ran off three goals early and took control of the game. It was another good team effort.”

St. Joseph (3-2-2) got six saves from goalie Joey Bush. Alex Ward had 10 saves for the Dragons.

St. Joseph hosts New Boston on Tuesday.

Fairland 1 1 = 2

St. Joseph 1 3 = 4

First Half

SJ — Peyton Adkins (assist Dylan Arrington) 5:00

Fa —Jared Wilkes penalty kick 11:00

Second Half

SJ — Zac McGraw (unassisted) 46:00

SJ — Isaac Whaley (assist Alexander Ward) 47:00

SJ — Peyton Adkins (assist Blake Balestra) 62:00

Fa — Alex Naegele (unassisted) 68:00

Saves — St. Joseph 6 (Joey Bush; Fairland 10 (Alex Ward)

Shots on Goals — St. Joseph 20, Fairland 10

Corner Kicks — St. Joseph 5, Fairland 5

Fouls — St. Joseph 10, Fairland 2

Offside Penalties — St. Joseph 6, Fairland 0