GAME SUMMARY

Friday, July 9, 2010 Blackbaud Stadium
Charleston Battery                                        1 (Woodbine 48’)
Richmond Kickers                                          0  

CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston Battery defeated the Richmond Kickers 1-0 at Blackbaud Stadium, increasing their lead in the USL-2 standings to five points.  Forward Tom Heinemann connected with defender O’Brian Woodbine in the 48th minute to give the Battery the lone goal of the night.  Battling stifling humidity, the Kickers could not rally back from the deficit, despite watching Charleston reduced to nine men after a series of red card ejections.  Richmond did not walk away scot-free as star forward Matthew Delicâte was caught in the crossfire and also shown red by referee Abbas Piran in the 90th minute.

Undefeated at Blackbaud Stadium, the Charleston Battery controlled possession early on, outshooting the Kickers 4-1.  Their best chance of the night came in the 29th minute when forward Lamar Neagle received the ball on the left side of the box.  Striking a bending ball from 20 yards out, his attempt seemed destined for the upper 90 but he was denied by the woodwork as his shot ricocheted off the crossbar and was cleared by a Kickers defender. 

Six minutes later, the Kickers tested goalkeeper Tim Melia when a Charleston free kick went awry, allowing Edson Elcock to gather the loose ball and carry it down the left flank at lighting pace.  A quick counter to beat his mark left him 1v1 with the last defender as he came within striking distance.  Gaining support from Stephen Nsereko on the right side, he played the ball across the goalmouth where the rookie midfielder was positioned deep in the box.  Nsereko struck but the difficult angle, allowing the Battery netminder the chance to stifle his attempt.

The defensive battle left the match scoreless at the half, with neither team able to produce many dangerous chances; however, the tables were turned minutes after the restart.

Heinemann received the ball 25 yards out and was able to turn and slip a through pass to an onrushing Woodbine.  With plenty of time and space, he controlled the ball and fired a left-footed shot from 16 yards out.  Kickers goalkeeper Chase Harrison was able to get a hand on the ball but he could not stop the momentum as it whizzed right under the bar to give the Battery the edge they needed.

The Kickers increased the pressure in the second half, finding the opportunity to level the score in the 58th minute.  A cross from the left side sailed through the box, finding a wide open Mike Burke 15 yards out.  Taking one touch he unleashed a strike towards the far corner but a diving Melia prevented the equalizer.

Eight minutes later, the Kickers watched helplessly as an Edson Elcock goal was annulled.  Burke intercepted a pass from Charleston defender Colin Falvey and played an unmarked Elcock into the box.  As he slotted the ball past the keeper, the linesman signaled for offside.

The match took a turn for the worse in the 82nd minute when Woodbine was issued a second yellow card after delaying the restart.  The Kickers threw everyone forward to try to capitalize on the advantage but their last second efforts could not penetrate the Battery defense.  Then, a controversial scuffle in the box resulted in a pair of ejections to Battery defender John Wilson and Kickers forward Matthew Delicate seconds before the final whistle.
 
The Richmond Kickers travel to Charlotte tomorrow and Pittsburgh on July 15th before returning home to host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and SPCA’s Paws at the Pitch Night on Saturday, July 24th at 7:00 p.m.  Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to City Stadium to show their support of the Richmond SPCA and enjoy a night of professional soccer with their four-legged companions.  Order tickets in advance at RichmondKickers.com and save big on admission.

Box Score      First Half     Second Half     Final
Charleston            0                    1                 1
Richmond              0                    0                 0 

Scoring Summary
48th minute: Charleston – O’Brian Woodbine (Tom Heinemann)

Lineups
Battery: GK Tim Melia, Nigel Marples, John Wilson, O’Brian Woodbine, Colin Falvey, Brandon Massie (Zach Prince – 71’), Alioune Gueye, Ian Fuller (Kevin Jackson – 65’), Stephen Armstrong (Amaury Nunes – 66’ (Josh Bolton – 89’)), Lamar Neagle, Tom Heinemann (Levi Coleman – 87’)

Kickers: GK Chase Harrison, William Yomby, Henry Kalungi, Dave Hertel (Ross Mackenzie – 87’), Sascha Görres, Luke Vercollone, Bobby Foglesong (Mike Burke – 45’), Stephen Nsereko (Neil Barlow – 76’), Gerson dos Santos (Charlie Reiter – 76’), Edson Elcock, Matthew Delicâte

Shots          Saves           Fouls              Corners
Kickers:  5   Kickers:   3    Kickers:   8      Kickers:   5
Battery:  7   Battery:  2    Battery:  11    Battery:   2

Cautions:
41st minute: Charleston – O’Brian Woodbine
43rd minute: Richmond – Bobby Foglesong
43rd minute: Charleston – Stephen Armstrong
82nd minute: Charleston – O’Brian Woodbine

Ejections:
82nd minute: Charleston – O’Brian Woodbine
90th minute: Charleston – John Wilson
90th minute: Richmond – Matthew Delicâte

Referee:    Abbas Piran
Assistant Referees:   Agostino Minasola, Honorio Ojeda
Fourth Official:    Wayne Pavlischek
Attendance:    3,403
Weather:    Clear, 80º