Friday, July 8, 2016 Clipper Magazine Stadium
Harrisburg City Islanders 0
Richmond Kickers 3 (Paulini 11’, Jane 27’, Callahan 75’)
LANCASTER, PA – The Richmond Kickers snapped a three-game winless streak with a 3-0 win over the Harrisburg City Islanders Friday night. Midfielders Lucas Paulini and Sunny Jane gave the visitors a first half advantage before captain Michael Callahan rounded out the scoreline.
The Kickers claimed an early lead when defender Braeden Troyer served a long ball to Anthony Grant who eluded his defender and slotted it to Brian Ownby on the left wing. Ownby attempted a cross but was blocked by City Islanders defender Shane Johnson to earn the first corner kick of the night. Yudai Imura delivered an inswinger into the box and connected with Paulini who nodded it home from point blank range.
Paulini was integral again just before the half hour mark to set up the Kickers second goal of the night when Harrisburg goalkeeper Nick Noble launched the ball to the midline. Kickers defender Luke Mishu intercepted and redirected it to Imura who laid it off for Paulini. He quickly played Jane through the defense, who buried a left-footed shot into the far corner.
Minutes later, a deflection off Harrisburg midfielder John Hughes rattled the crossbar but the City Islanders nearly recovered soon after when forward Danny DiPrima blasted a shot from distance that whistled just wide.
A shift in momentum favored the City Islanders after the second half restart as they nearly pulled a goal when a give and go between midfielder Paul Wilson and Jose Barril freed Wilson at the top of the box. He settled the ball and rifled a shot that glanced inches past the right post.
Harrisburg struck again five minutes later when Paul Wilson’s lofted ball picked out defender Shawn McLaws stationed at the right post. McLaws one-timed the ball into the box but Kickers goalkeeper Charlie Horton sprung off his line to get a hand on it as Garrett Pettis ran onto the rebound but fired just wide.
The Kickers solidified their first win on the road with 15 minutes remaining in regulation when second half substitute Luiz Fernando raced down the left touchline, split two defenders and slotted a through ball to Imura at the near post. Imura’s low driven ball sliced through the box, forcing midfielder Bobby Warshaw into a hasty clearance, directly into the path of Callahan who made no mistake with a blistering shot from 20 yards out.
The Kickers conclude the three-week road trip when they travel to take on Pittsburgh on Thursday, July 14 before returning to City Stadium to host Swansea City of the world famous English Premier League on Saturday, July 16. Tickets are on sale now at www.richmondkickers.com.
Box Score First Half Second Half Final
Harrisburg 0 0 0
Richmond 2 1 3
Scoring Summary
11th minute: Richmond: Lucas Paulini (Yudai Imura)
27th minute: Richmond: Sunny Jane (Lucas Paulini)
75th minute: Richmond: Michael Callahan
Lineups
City Islanders: GK Nick Noble, Jamie Thomas, Liam Doyle, Shane Johnson (Paul Wilson – 45’), Shawn McLaws, Jose Barril (Matt Balduc – 80’), Bobby Warshaw, Mohammed Dabo, Josh Hughes (Brett Jankauskus – 71’), Danny DiPrima (Cardel Benbow – 45’), Garrett Pettis (Craig Foster – 71’)
Kickers: GK Charlie Horton, Braeden Troyer, Luke Mishu, William Yomby, Hugh Roberts, Samuel Asante (Alex Lee – 88’), Yudai Imura, Sunny Jane (Michael Callahan – 62’), Brian Ownby (Luiz Fernando – 45’), Lucas Paulini (Fred Owusu Sekyere – 81’), Anthony Grant (Jackson Eskay – 81’)
Shots Saves Fouls Corners
Kickers: 5 Kickers: 1 Kickers: 4 Kickers: 7
City Islanders: 6 City Islanders: 2 City Islanders: 7 City Islanders: 4
Cautions:
None.
Ejections:
None.
Referee: Christopher Spivey
Assistant Referees: Jaroslaw Werel, Brandon Smith
Fourth Official: Dustin Killick
Attendance: 1,381
Weather: Partly cloudy, 75º
