Hamilton Remains Undefeated

Rain-shortened win moves Croatia into second-place

Frank Perin – Hamilton Croatia notched their second win of the season Friday, a 2-0 home victory over the Montreal Impact Academy. Hamilton took the lead at 14 minutes from a corner kick as defender Alvin Hudson found the back of the net with a header. Striker Aidan O’Keefe doubled the lead 12 minutes later from 25 yards out on a free kick that curled around the wall and slipped under the outstretched Montreal goalkeeper Maxime Crepeh. Goalie Cam McKay made a key save just before half-time tipping a well-struck shot off the bar, and fullback Niko Jelicic cleared the rebound to keep the score at 2-0 headed into the break. As the second-half started the overcast skies finally opened up and the rain began. The game was suspended for a period of time when lightning struck and was eventually abandoned at 68 minutes with the score 2-0 in favour of the home side. Initially it was announced that the game would have to be replayed in its entirety, but Canadian Soccer League rules state a game stopped after half-time and unable to continue is considered abandoned as a completed game. The score of 2-0 would hold up as Hamilton Croatia earned the full three points. Hamilton will next put their undefeated record (2-3-0) on the line against the CSL’s only other undefeated team, fellow first-year club Brantford Galaxy (2-1-0). Brantford was leading London City 1-0 when referee Justin Tasev was forced by lightning to abandon the game before half-time. That match will be rescheduled at a later date. The Hamilton-Brantford game will take place at Brian Timmis Stadium this Friday at 9 p.m.