Russell Grosslight dr ibbles for Hammond. The Hammond Skyhawks scored in the 49th minute and made the goal stand in a 1- 0 victory over the A.C. Flora Falcons at Bolden Stadium on March 17. Brad Meredith's header from Matthew McClam's long throw- in was the only Skyhawk challenge that found the net on an evening where the Flora defense was under near constant attack.

Almost from the first minute of the match, Hammond forwards pushed deep into A.C. Flora's defense, nearly scoring just three minutes in. Patrick Hutchison, Russell Grosslight, Braeden Troyer, and Matthew McClam were the chief instigators for the Skyhawk offensive output. With a strong control of possession and with well- placed balls, Hammond flooded the Flora half of the field with regularity. Yet the Skyhawks could not find the net.

Despite the pressure, Flora keeper Max McEachern had a fine match. He saved two quality shots midway through the first half and helped direct his back line. Simon Makhuli, Morgan Mitchell, and Braxton Taylor comprised the Falcons' defense and deserve credit for preventing the onslaught of pressure from resulting in goals.

Flora's Morgan Mitchell tracks Hammond's Patrick Hutchison. On the other side of the field, Flora did have several strong runs, compliments of Yareth Gonzalez and Vincent Essien. But the promise of these forays into the teeth of the Hammond defense netted no tangible results.

Early in the second half, Hammond sent a barrage of shots on goal. Troyer and Hutchison had their shots saved, but Meredith's soaring header was perfectly placed and found the back of the net.

As the second half waned, the Falcons finally started to make more serious runs as their control of possession increased. Cameron Wegrzyn, Alex Richards, and Daniel Wilson spearheaded the Falcons' attempts at an equalizer, routinely reaching the 18- yard box before being ultimately denied by the Hammond back line. Skyhawk defenders Adam Jenkins, Andrew McClam, Meredith, and keeper John Felmly calmly cleared all of Flora's final attempts on goal and earned the away victory.

A.C. Flora's Simon Makhui defends against the fancy footwork of Hammond's Matthew McClam.