by Datti Jinkiri
Last weekend, Brilla returned back home in high spirits after an impressive roadtrip in Oklahoma City. Four points out of six was the outcome against the Mid South Division leaders. However, tonight at Clinton High School, they were held to a scoreless draw by a resilient Houston FC team. Brilla will definitely see this outcome as a letdown, because they believe that they should have grabbed all three points. The team had a lion's share of the possession for most of the match, but could not convert that into goals.
The team's best opportunities came in the second half. Midfielder Thibaut Bourrier had a great opportunity to put Brilla ahead, but he fired a shot right into the waiting arms of Patrick Hillyard. Just a couple of minutes later, winger Enzo Giuliani cut onto his left foot and fired a decent strike on goal. However, Hillvard was up to the task again and parried Giuliani's strike away.
Drama was rife late in the match. In the 81st minute, Mario Mastrangelo played a diagonal ball to fellow substitute Andre Di Georgi. Di Georgi was taken down by Hillyard, and the referee gave Brilla a penalty kick. Thomas Vancaeyezeele promptly buried the shot and supposedly gave Brilla the lead. However, the referee ruled that a Brilla player had encroached the box before he had taken the shot. Vancaeyezeele's second penalty was then saved by Hillyard.
Brilla outshot Houston FC 11-2 during the match. Bourrier and Vancaeyezeele both led the team with two shots each. Jordan Bell had an uneventful match, forced to make zero saves.
Brilla will return to action Saturday night against Peachtree City MOBA. Three points in that match would be key for Brilla's playoff push. Kickoff will be 7:00 at Clinton High School.