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May 12, 2008

PYRRHIC DRAW: 2 red cards for Ironbound Express in tie

Ocean City, N.J. -- The game ended in a draw, but in some respects the Newark Ironbound Express' 1-1 tie with the Ocean City Barons was a loss Sunday.

The Express lost two players to red cards, which will force them to miss a future match, depending on Premier Development League rules. The match also served as a qualifier to the Lamar Hunt/U.S. Open Cup.

With wind gusts reaching as high as 40 miles per hour, both teams had to battle the elements in what turned out to be a very physical game.

It took 16 minutes to produce the year’s first bizarre moment. Jimmy Davis was taken down by Newark’s Alex Russo near midfield and a foul was called. As both players ended up on the ground, the two became tangled and tempers flared, resulting in Russo biting Davis on the arm. Referee Paul Catalina saw the incident and issued a straight red card, bringing the expansion side down to 10 men.

Despite the man advantage, the Barons weren't able to capitalize until the 68th minute when defender John Fletcher nodded home an Adam Williamson corner kick for a 1-0 lead. However, the lead was short lived as the visitors managed to equalize less than 10 minutes later. Former Red Bulls forward Jerrod Laventure fired a shot that grazed the crossbar and deflected off the far post and into the back of the net.

Minutes after scoring his third goal of the season, Laventure won a free kick at the edge of the penalty area after he was fouled by second-half substitute Ryan Richter. Laventure took exception to the foul and retaliated, however. However, Laventure took his revenge against the wrong player and head-butted defender Connor Gorman. Laventure was also shown a straight red for his attack on Gorman, who was making his PDL debut.

However, even with a two-man advantage and the wind at their backs, the Barons could not score the game-winner.