Written By: Logan Barker
Mingo Central traveled to Raleigh County this past Monday to take on Shady Spring on the pitch. Mingo Central (5-6) was missing goalkeeper Mason Hatfield for the second straight game and striker Blake Stacy for the first game all season. Their presence was really missed by the Miners as they are struggling without them and Shady Spring (11-3-1) really took full advantage of their absence.
The game started with Jacob Blankenship at goalkeeper. Blankenship played the entire first half. He had 8 saves on goal with 6 goals scored on him. Brody Dotson subbed in during the second half and had 11 saves on goal and 4 goals scored on him. Dotson looked really good in goal and didn’t let a lot by him. The defensive backline had a rough first half, but they really picked it up in the second half when Christian Joplin stepped back and helped the backline defenders. Joplin played all over the field as he dropped back to the defensive line and after the ball got past the 50 he would run right back up on offense. Joplin performed very well and was hustling all game. This game was still very one-sided, Shady was able to put 10 goals up, and their defense played very well, stopping almost everything that came their way. Shady Spring ended up defeating Mingo Central, 10-0. This is the worst loss Mingo Central has had in the past few years.
Offensively, Mingo Central had 6 shots. Kendan Trent, Joplin and Tyler Coleman with 2 shots a piece. This is only the second game Trent has not been able to find the net. The other game was Pikeview this past Saturday. This is the second game Hatfield has been injured as well.
This game should be a learning experience for Mingo Central as the Miners now fall to 5-7 and will take on Lincoln County on the road. The Miners defeated them last time they played, 4-3, but Hatfield and Stacy are both questionable for the game so this one will be a competitive one. Shady Spring advances to 12-3-1 and now goes on to play Point Pleasant at home this Thursday.
Photo Courtesy of Samantha Waine
