Rattlers hold on late in win over Broncos

The Olds Broncos rolled into Medicine Hat on a sunny afternoon to take on the Rattlers. The first minute saw a massive collision between 2 Broncos, Emmanuel Mukolo was forced out of the game while Goalkeeper Parys Ona MacArthur was able to stay in the game. The Rattlers were able to capitalize shortly after, sliding the ball past the keeper in the 8^th minute. Aminja Abbe was the Rattlers goal scorer off a great assist from Ethan Pitman. The game was a back and forth battle through the middle with both teams getting opportunities but failing to turn them into quality scoring chances. The teams were playing hard with challenges coming hard from both sides leading to a yellow card for Bronco Colton Berner. The Rattlers had a glorious opportunity cleared off the line by the Broncos keeping the game close at 1. As the half continued the clouds rolled in and the temperature started to drop, the game again tightened up with the majority of play moving back and forth. Late in the half the broncos earned a free kick deep in the Rattlers half but just missed a header outside the far post narrowly missing evening the score. As the half entered injury time the play seemed stalled between the boxes with neither team able to break through. As the half came to a close the Rattlers were able to hold on to a slim 1-0 lead.

The second half started again with a hard fought game between the boxes with nobody able to push through with any quality chances. The play turned rough with a tough challenge drawing a huge crowd and a stoppage to sort out the penalties and fouls. The game continued with its physicality as the whistle kept blowing and fouls were coming on both sides. This earned the Rattlers a free kick deep in the Broncos half. The Home side was able to convert on the chance with Nicholas Staruiala putting home the ball. Now up 2, the Rattlers looked to start burning time off the clock. The play had settled down with both sides still in the tight fought game. Both sides were having better luck coming up with quality scoring chances but continued to come up empty. The Rattler keeper Ross Wilder was coming up with some big saves late to keep the Rattlers ahead by a pair. A late challenge from Rattler Colin Kirkland saw his second yellow of the game forcing him to leave early.  Down to 10 players, the Rattlers dropped back into a more defensive formation leaving just one man forward. The Broncos continued to push hard with the majority of play deep in the Rattler end. But in the end they were able to hold on to a 2-0 win at home finishing the game down a player.