Sunday, May 18, 2013
HOUSTON -- The Charleston Battery defeated the Houston Dynamo Reserves 1-0 on Sunday in an interleague match at BBVA Compass Stadium. Dane Kelly volleyed home the winner in the 35th minute to earn Charleston its sixth win of the season. With the win the Battery (6-2-0) move back into second position in the USL PRO standings.
The Battery enjoyed the better of the first half and created a number of good chances. Defender Taylor Mueller came close in the fourth minute but his header from a Nicki Paterson corner rose over the crossbar. Paterson was involved again in the 25th minute as Jose Cuevas picked out his run with a weighted pass down the right side. Paterson allowed the ball to come across his body but his right-footed volley looped over the bar.
Minutes later, defender Colin Falvey picked out Cuevas with another long pass that carried beyond the Houston defense. Cuevas controlled the ball onto his left foot, but his attempt from just inside the box curled wide.
The breakthrough came from a free-kick 10 minutes before halftime as Cuevas played the ball quickly down the line, catching Houston by surprise. Defender Emmanuel Adjetey lifted a cross to the back of the box for Kelly, who cushioned home his volley into the far corner of the goal.
The Battery continued to create chances after the break but as the game wore on the Dynamo Reserves’ pressure began to tell. Forward Brian Ching almost scored in the 82nd minute meeting a corner at the penalty-spot but his header flew wide.
With time running out Houston defender Christian Gonzalez tried his luck from 20 yards, but his drilled strike was tipped around the post by Battery goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper, and the Battery were able to hold on the claim all three points.
Next up for the Battery is a second round US Open Cup game versus the Portland Timbers U23’s on Tuesday night in Portland, OR (10:30 p.m. EST / Sports radio 1450 AM).