An even game between two well-matched rivals was decided by the speed and skill of a ninth grader Wednesday as Heritage’s Mohammed Siddk scored a hat trick and led the visiting Patriots to a 4-1 win over Bellmont in Decatur.
Siddk, who already had a goal in the first half to lead off the scoring, scored in the 43rd minute and again in the 76th to complete his hat trick.
Bellmont jumped out to an early advantage in terms of possession and had the first real chance of the game in the seventh minute, but a free kick in the attacking third was wasted. A few minutes later, Bellmont’s Carsten Hudson was dragged down in the box in a dangerous position for Heritage but the ball trickled over the line and out for a goal kick.
Heritage slowly grew into the game and ten minutes in, Luis Romero dribbled around three players and looked to have an opportunity to shoot near the penalty stripe, but George Gardner poked the ball away for the Braves.
In the 21st minute a long punt by Bellmont keeper Parker Frietas released Jack Johnson down the right side and he broke away from the Heritage defense, winning a corner for the Braves, but the Braves could not get a header on target.
Two minutes later, the BHS back line turned the ball over to Siddk in the middle of the box and he slotted it home to give Heritage a 1-0 lead, admittedly against the run of play.
Siddk nearly scored again minutes later but Frietas made an outstanding save, just getting his fingers on a high shot and conceding only a corner. The freshman only became more and more of a menace to the Braves, who really had no answer to his speed from either of the wings. Siddk should have probably scored in the 28th minute again, but an absolutely insane save by Frietas kept the margin at one. Siddk actually went to Frietas after the save and showed some sportsmanship with a high five for the remarkable play.
Bellmont did reply, taking advantage of a nice free kick by Henry Faurote, with senior Jack Johnson scoring on the rebound. It was the first goal of the season for the Braves.
The two teams took to their respective corners for the halftime break and returned to the pitch for a much different half, one that was ultimately dominated by the speed of the visitors.
Match Summary
23′ (H) Mohammed Siddk, 1-0
34′ (B) Jack Johnson, 1-1
43′ (B) Mohammed Siddk, 2-1
51′ (H) Aaron Hernandez YC
57′ (H) Aaron Hernandez, 3-1
76′ (H) Mohammed Siddk, 4-1
77′ (H) Mohammed Siddk YC
78′ (H) Nathan Pe YC
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