Late goal lifts Blackman over Pioneers
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The goal was scored after several minutes were put back on the clock by the head official because of injury stoppage during the game, but the bigger issue was when the whistle blew to end the game before the Pioneers had an opportunity for a corner kick.
Head coach Keith Hamilton was “red-carded” after the game when he questioned the refereeing crew, not only about the amount of time put back on the clock, but also on their decision to end the game before his squad had the opportunity to possibly tie the contest on their corner kick.
“Some of the things that happened (Thursday night) are unheard of,” Hamilton said Friday.
“First, I want to apologize to the school and my players for losing my temper. But this team gave everything they had and I had to stand up for my players and what is right,” he added. “I chewed the officials out after the game, and that was wrong — and for that I’m sorry. But the game should have ended in a tie.
“We played very well against a good team and for the game to end the way it did was unjustified. They blew the whistle during our corner kick and that’s not supposed to happen. We were awarded a corner kick, and you’re supposed to have the opportunity to continue play. But the refs blew the whistle and ended the game before our shot.”
Because of his red card, in essence an ejection from the game — even though play had been completed — Hamliton will have to serve a one-game suspension.
He will miss the Riverdale game Tuesday night, and must pay a $250 fine as well as meet with director of schools Dr. Jerry Hale. Hamilton’s punishment was handed down by the TSSAA office Friday morning.
The Pioneers entered Thursday’s game undefeated in District 7-AAA play, as did Blackman. The two teams battled during the first half moving the ball up and down without success, and the first half ended in a scoreless tie.
In the second half Warren County missed several shots at goal, as did the Blaze. But Pioneer goalie Jonathan Bratcher stood tall at the net and turned away five shots during the game by Blackman.
As time ticked off the clock, a tie looked to be in favor for both teams. But with the added time of seven minutes to the clock, Blackman found the back of the net when Kyle Prince fired the game-winner with 40 seconds left in the game — a game which, by all accounts, should had ended two-minutes earlier.
The Pioneers dropped to 3-1 in district play and Blackman improved to 3-0. Warren County was called for 18 fouls, while Blackman was called for just seven.
“This was a hard game to swallow, and I am very proud of how hard each one of our kids played,” Hamilton said. “They really played their hearts out.”