Rino’s took on Binger’s on October 9th, and it rained heavily throughout the game.  The field featured baseball diamonds on each corner, on which large puddles had gathered, especially around 2nd base, which prompted team Captain Jordan Haas to remark that the puddles should not be an issue for John Bligh (starting sweeper) as Bligh has never been to 2nd base and has no prospects of doing so.  The starting line up featured many familiar faces, and a first start in mid field for newcomer Paul Thomson, who was recruited to make sure Rino’s keeps its requisite quota of Irishmen, as this also proved to be the last game for midfielder David Collins.  He has been a valuable edition to the club, and we wish him well as he moves to Toronto for work.

The match was scrappy from the outset, with the slick field leading to mis-hit passes and poor touch.  Bingers had skilled forwards, and created a few chances in the early going. Bingers scored first on a low cross, which the forward got to ahead of his marker, Jon Cooper.  Rino’s bounced back quickly though, and 5 minutes before half they capitalized on profligate defensive play by Bingers to equalize, with Cyrus crossing neatly for Charlie to finish.  At the end of the 1st half, Rino’s were unfortunate not to be ahead 2-1, after John Bligh was taken down from behind in the box, a blatant penalty.  This was far from the ref’s only poor decision on the day as the performance of both teams was marred by bad officiating.

Rino’s started the 2nd half strong enough, but gifted a goal to former Rino’s defender Cory Jackson, who was not marked closely enough on a Binger’s corner.  Apropos of the weather, Rino’s ‘stormed’ back. In-form striker Cyrus scored after being set up by Charlie, and then Charlie put Rino’s ahead, finishing off a fast break by rounding the keep and netting home.  Rino’s was able to hold on to their lead for about 20 minutes, a period of play which featured a crushing (though completely legal) tackle by Bligh, which propelled the opposing player horizontal over the drenched turf.

With about 5 minutes to go, Binger’s was awarded a free kick, about 40 yards from goal, and they equalized off of this when their striker pushed Rino’s defender John Marsh (who came on at half) in the back, thus opening space for a header at close range.  This obviously caused much consternation amongst the Rino’s players, and in payment for politely making his feelings known to the referee, Charlie was given a yellow card.  A grave injustice.  Shortly thereafter, before the re-start, he engaged in a light hearted discussion with Rino’s midfielder Laurie Flynn, which the referee mistook for an argument.  Failing to appreciate the subtleties of Laurie’s Scottish accent, the ref gave him his 2nd yellow card and he was sent off.  As sorry as Rino’s were about the send off, the team’s cooler was sorrier, as Laurie demolished it as soon as he got to the sideline.

Rino’s pushed hard through injury time, aggressively choosing to maintain 2 front runners despite the sending off, and they were awarded with a last minute penalty kick.  Unfortunately the keeper guessed right, and saved Charlie’s effort.  The game ended 3-3, a tie that in many ways felt like a loss.  That said, the spirit and effort of the team were good throughout the match, as evidenced by Rino’s twice coming back from one goal deficits.