Bristol Rhythm AFC edged Mint Hill FC 1–0 in NPSL action on July 4, with an own goal from Mint Hill's E. Edwards in the 62nd minute proving the difference.

The first half was a cautious affair by the numbers. Neither side found the net across the opening 45 minutes, though Bristol Rhythm's A. Zhu picked up a yellow card in the 43rd minute — the first booking of a match that would grow increasingly fractious as it wore on.

The breakthrough came midway through the second half. Edwards, under pressure, turned the ball into his own net to hand Bristol Rhythm a 1–0 lead. It was a cruel way for Mint Hill to fall behind, and the visitors spent the remaining half-hour chasing an equalizer that never arrived.

As Mint Hill pushed forward, tempers frayed. Bristol Rhythm's A. Jaafar was cautioned in the 82nd minute, followed by teammate J. Cuenca six minutes later. Mint Hill's L. Schofield then collected a yellow deep in stoppage time as frustration boiled over in the closing stages. The referee kept a tight leash on both sides, but neither committed anything worthy of a red card.

Mint Hill ultimately couldn't fashion the chance they needed, and Bristol Rhythm held firm to claim all three points thanks to an opponent's misfortune.

The result gives Bristol Rhythm AFC a valuable home victory in the NPSL season, one that could prove significant in what promises to be a tight battle for positioning in the table.