Colusa boys see yellow in loss to Esparto

While Esparto High's very physical style of play may have been enough to make Colusa coach Dan Kiely and his players see red, both teams saw some yellow as the Redskins fell to the Spartans 4-2 in Colusa Tuesday.

The coach reported Esparto was yellow-carded on six different occasions, while a more calm and collected Colusa squad did a better job of maintaining its composure, drawing only one.

The Spartans struck first with a goal in the 16th minute, but the Redskins netted the equalizer near the end of the first half, when Roman Martinez headed in a corner kick taken by Luis Benitez.

Esparto built a second-half cushion with goals in the 49th and 56th minutes, but Benitez rattled the cage on a free kick taken from 25 yards out to pull Colusa to within a goal, 3-2.

The Spartans scored their final goal in the 79th minute.

Kiely said the Redskins benefited from strong play by fullbacks Vicente Gutierrez, Angel Sanchez, James Pearson and Freddy Hernandez, and midfielders Diego Valdivia, Jose Velasquez and Thomas Gentil.

Gustavo Sanchez was also credited with strong play at forward, as was goalie Cristian Avila, who reacted for 10 saves.

Colusa (2-9-2, 2-8-2 Sacramento Valley League) kicked off at Williams Thursday and Esparto Friday.

Next week, the Redskins play at Pierce Thursday before closing the regular season Friday at home against Rio Vista.