With the opening whistle it quickly became apparent that both of these teams had the hunger, the speed, the drive and the determination to win.  Early on the played moved quickly up and down through the mid-field areas as both teams showcased their speed and high levels of intensity.  The only question was could this pace be maintained - and indeed it could not. It was the Chivas strikers though, throughout the early going that gave the Middlesex defenders fits as they openly engaged them in one on one contests as they approached the Middlesex goal.  During most of the first half it was Chivas who was breaking up Middlesex passes and forcing the ball quickly into their offensive zone.  On many occasions Middlesex could be seen nearly backpedaling, as they worked to regroup and try to move the ball in the opposite direction. Chivas came very close to scoring at both the 6 minute mark and at 18 minutes.  The former opportunity witnessed the ball being played beyond the keeper and nearly into the centre of the net, however at the last second a defender swiftly cleared the ball away.  The latter opportunity saw a long distance attempt that was headed toward the top of the goal gracefully deflected above the centre of the crossbar by a leaping Middlesex keeper. The first real offensive spark for Middlesex didn't come until about the 28 minute mark, as a fine crossing play appeared to give the Chivas defenders some problems.  Middlesex strikers didn't appear to really pep up until near the end of the half, and in this instance it would be too late as the half closed scoreless.
With the opening of the second half, two very different teams seemed to emerge on the field.  Middlesex seemed to have regained their composure, and re-ignited their drive, and Chivas appeared somewhat winded, with only their #2 (red & white) appearing ready to put in the maximum effort for the duration of the game. Both teams nevertheless battled hard through the first segment of the half, however it seemed that Middlesex came out on top in a majority of contests.  Middlesex strikers continued to advance their game, generating many excellent crossing plays that seriously tested the Chivas keeper on many occasions.  During this period Chivas offensive playmaking had all but broken down. What seemed nearly inevitable came at about 75 minutes in, as one of the many crossing attempts by Middlesex somehow bounced off a Chivas defender into the net with the goalie out of position.  This would be the only goal of this very entertaining game.  For the remainder of the half it was more of the same, with Middlesex continuing to pressure and Chivas making only sporadic attempts in their offensive zone. Although this game curiously appeared to actually be two games in one, it would end uneventfully at 1-nil - constituting a gain that would maintain the Middlesex position atop the Second Division standings after ten weeks of play.  JHS