Friday, June 28, 2013
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Harrisburg City Islanders got a much-needed three points to keep their hold on second place in the league with a 2-1 win on Friday night against Phoenix FC. The victory moved the City Islanders within a point of Orlando City at the top of the USL PRO standings. 
The game was played primarily in the midfield, where no team seemed to be able to break through to break the tie. Tom Mellor made the key difference after coming on as a second-half substitute for Jimmy Mclaughlin, however, as he got open and was able to run onto a pass from Colin Zizzi that spread out the Wolves' defense. The pass opened up the sideline for Mellor to make a run into the Phoenix penalty area. The ensuing cross off Mellor’s foot found Sainey Touray, who guided it in for the game-winning goal in the 73rd minute.
With the win, the Islanders finished their five-game homestand with an overall 3-2-0 record, with the rubber match gaming coming against a team that has struggled to score in their past few games.
The opening goal, which was almost called off because of an offiside call, came in the 15th minute off the foot of Yann Ekra. The ball was played into the penalty area after a couple of great midfield moves between Touray and McLaughlin. McLaughlin sprung Touray down the flank and into the penaty area with speed. Touray passed the ball back through the box to Ekra, who struck a shot that was deflected on the way to the back of the net.
The game slowed down following the goal, with neither side able to create many opportunities as sloppy passing and offsides dominating a large portion of the first half.
The Wolves were finally able to breakthough with their first goal in their last five games off a corner kick in the 37th minute. The corner was a high, hard delivery from Reid Schmitt that went to the back post, where it found its way to Isiah Schafer, who headed home past Harrisburg goalkeeper Nick Noble, who never had a chance.
The second half opened up with a string of good chances created by the Islanders' top three scorers of the year, playing together for the first time this season. McLaughlin had the first chance, as he got a pass in the middle of the penalty area but curled his shot just over the bar. Mkosana and Touray followed suit by getting into the attacking area but coming up short both times.
The game started to look more like the first half after the quick start by the Islanders. There wasn’t much quality to the play, but Phoenix did threaten through Schmitt as he cut in from the left to fire a pair of shots, one of which forced Noble into a save. The game was flat, until Mellor entered the game and began to threated down the left. His play proved decisive as Touray's ninth goal of the season gave Harrisburg an important three points.
Phoenix came on late with a barrage of shots in the dying minutes but Noble stood tall in goal and preserved the Islanders' lead.
The City Islanders will return to Skyline Sports Complex on July 10th to face the Los Angeles Blues at 7 p.m. ET. For tickets and information visit www.cityislanders.com or call (717)-441-GOAL.