Hardrock came from behind to beat Hunters 2:1 in the Premier Soccer League's regular season on Saturday. The visitors moved to within three points of the leaders after a match that turned on a red card and two late goals. Hunters had taken the lead but were reduced to ten men before the break.
The home side opened the scoring in the 31st minute. It was their first goal in five matches and briefly gave them something to build on. Hardrock responded with urgency, though the visitors had already shown their intent with a yellow card in the 42nd minute.
The game grew tight as more bookings piled up. Hunters picked up yellow cards in the 51st and 60th minutes, while Hardrock added one of their own in the 61st. And here's the thing — when four yellow cards appear in ten minutes, the referee usually looks for a reason to send someone off.
That reason came in the 64th minute. A second yellow became a red for a Hunter, and the home side had to chase the game. By then the visitors were already in control of the tie, even if the scoreboard still showed a single-goal difference.
Hardrock took their chance. They equalised in the 67th minute and then put the game to bed early with a second in the 90th. The away side also received a yellow in stoppage time, but the result was never in doubt after the red card.
Hunters remain 14th with 25 points from 27 games. They have won only four of those matches and now face a difficult run in what is shaping up to be another season of struggle. Hardrock sit second with 54 points and are closing on the top spot.