Cooper wins against Highlands in the most controversial called game of the season

Congrats to Cooper for pulling off the win against Highlands.  Historically this is the first time Cooper has beaten the Birds since way back in 2014.  There had been 3 ties since then but Cooper hadn't walked away with a win since '14.

The Birds probably had the advantage in every soccer statistical category you could track (shots, corners, possession) EXCEPT the most important one that depends on if you win or lose, the score.

It took 55 minutes until Cooper found the back of the net with a nice banger 30 yards out by Jackson McDonald, that was just out of reach of Sam Lang's stretched hand to make it a 1-0 Cooper lead.

Like I said this game had some serious controversy that didn't go well for Highlands

• issue 1:  Birds shot the ball "apparently" went past the plain of the goal line but then came back out, BUT AR didn't see it that way and didn't award the goal
• issue 2:  Birds found an attacker close to the goal line that punched it in for a goal, but "apparently" AR stated he was offside
• issue 3:  Harrison Gamble dribbles into the box gets taken down clearly in the box, but "apparently" the foul started outside the box, therefore free kick awarded outside the box instead of in (which would have resulted in PK)

At the end of the day, it was a hard fought battle between 2 really good teams in NKY.  You MUST move on and not moan about "ifs" ,"buts" and "refs"....I only state the above issues to give clarity on what occurred in the game not to complain or make excuses.... I am just a journalist painting the picture.

Birds walked away a little banged up with Harrison Gamble never coming back into the game after being helped off the field with 10 or so minutes to go.  Keeper Sam Lang got nicked up with 2:30 left in the 1st half and couldn't finish the half.  Sam did start the 2nd half to finish the game but was definitely not 100% back there with a noticeable limp in his step with a banged up ankle.  Good for the Birds we have a week and a day off before getting back on the pitch next Thursday at Brossart.

#GOBIRDS

Frank 

As always @FrankNicodemus great job on giving the details...Cooper is playing tough right now and I was impressed with what I saw from the Bluebirds on Saturday.