Tue Mar 25 20:20:00 UTC 2025: **Chelsea Hornets Snatch Shelby Derby Victory with Overtime Free Kick**

CHELSEA, AL – March 25, 2025 – The Chelsea Hornets secured a thrilling 1-0 victory over their rivals, the Pelham Panthers, in the Shelby Derby on Thursday, March 20th, thanks to a dramatic 86th-minute free-kick goal by Marcus Garcia. The win, played in double overtime, gave Chelsea the Shelby Derby trophy and improved their area record to 2-1.

The game was a tense back-and-forth affair, with both teams creating numerous scoring opportunities throughout regulation and overtime. Chelsea dominated possession early, with Parker Dean and Shon McKinney leading the offensive charge. Pelham’s Orlando Garcia Avalos also tested the Chelsea defense, but goalkeeper Andrew Purkey made a key save to keep the score level at 0-0 going into halftime.

The second half saw a more even contest, with both sides exchanging chances. Chelsea’s Cooper Baumbaugh and Brennan Carmack came close to scoring, while Pelham also had promising opportunities. The game remained scoreless until the final minutes of double overtime when a Pelham yellow card resulted in a free kick for Chelsea. Garcia, stepping up in place of an injured teammate, curled the ball perfectly over the wall and into the net, securing the victory for the Hornets.

Garcia’s winning goal was hailed as a crucial moment, not just for its impact on the game, but for its demonstration of team spirit. Coach Lee Miller praised Garcia’s composure and skill under pressure. Miller highlighted the intense rivalry between the two teams, emphasizing that the win was even sweeter due to their familiarity and close relationship.

The Hornets’ victory wasn’t a one-off; they followed it up with another 1-0 win against Douglas the next day. Chelsea, now 13-2 overall, faces a challenging schedule ahead, including a rematch against Pelham in April. Pelham, who fell to 10-3-2 after the loss, will look to rebound in their upcoming games.

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