In the words of Mr. Martin Aarts, Coach and G.M. for Chatham, it was all about "character" and "having some fun."  Admittedly in a re-building year and suffering from injuries as well, Mr. Aarts stated that he couldn't be more pleased with how his team was performing this year.  Coming into the game in second place just behind rival Wallaceburg in First Division and with a plus/minus rating of +16 there was no doubt that Benfica would have their hands full.  Benfica was coming into the game with high hopes nevertheless after taking a 6-1 pounding by Bosnia a week earlier but was in no way ready to give in easily.    With the opening whistle it was Chatham's excellent ball control and "stand-up" style of play dominating in the opening moments.  Chatham midfielders quickly moved the ball up field with some assertion and found little resistance from their counterparts in white.  The play would not stop there however as Chatham strikers showed just why they had scored 24 goals in eleven games so far this season.    Passes between strikers were accurate and tight, and if it was not for Benfica's tireless defenders sacrificing the body on very many occasions the game could have been a blowout.  At 24 minutes it was Bryce Cumming (#14 red) making it one-nil subsequent to receiving a pass and beating his man just inside the box.  He quickly fired a low shot that had the keeper beaten cleanly as well.    Four minutes later it was indeed Benfica countering the score with a fine goal off a header from a quick cross from the right side by Peter Chehade (#17 white).  Up to this point Benfica's offensive playmaking had been sporadic at best, however the game was now tied at 1-1.  Much of the same type of play ensued, with Chatham forcing the ball up field with some confidence and feeding their hungry strikers the ball.  At 36 minutes it was again Bryce Cumming (#14 red) finding the mesh in a show of speed as he broke in all alone in the centre box area and fired a hard shot into the top left corner of the net.  It was now 2-1 and that is how the first half of play would end.
Benfica came out with renewed determination in the second half.  They worked hard to pressure Chatham in the midfield areas and break up plays before they could generate any offensive opportunities.  At the same time Benfica also showed increased effort in their offensive zone, keeping the able Chatham keeper more busy in the second than he had been in the first.  The only question was if this increased level of performance could be maintained.  The answer was yes, but only until the 87th minute of the game.  Up to that point play was more physical and also more entertaining, and featured a higher number of whistles that attempted to slow the play down.    Benfica did apply some pressure as well, perhaps hoping to come away with a tie and the single point.  This was not to be however as it was Bryce Cumming (#14 red) scoring his third goal of the game in a show of sheer athleticism, speed, ball control and strength.  He beat his man cleanly in the centre box area once again, dodged the Benfica keeper and rolled a shot in along the ground to wind the game up at 3-1.  Benfica continued to pressure after this point but in this instance a late-game comeback was not to be.  Chatham went on the claim the win and will remain near the top of the standings for another week.  JHS