Wednesday, July 24, 2013
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Charleston Battery defeated the Phoenix FC Wolves 5-1 on Wednesday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 2,786. Forward Dane Kelly led the way with two goals as the Battery moved into a tie for fourth position in the USL PRO standings.
The Battery enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, but did not break through with the first goal until the 31st minute. Quinton Griffith played in a corner from the far side and Amadou Sanyang snapped a header at goal from inside six yards. Phoenix goalkeeper Neil Kitson made the initial save, but defender Colin Falvey was first to react and volleyed home the follow-up.
The Battery doubled their lead on the 59-minute mark as Jose Cuevas picked out Dane Kelly with a near-post cross. Kelly beat his defender to the ball and angled a header past Kitson into the goal.
Five minutes later the Battery moved further ahead after a frantic sequence in front of goal. Bryce Alderson shot from the left side but saw his effort come back off the bar. Cuevas tried to drive in the rebound but instead found Kelly who spun and slammed home a left-footed shot.
Phoenix defender Scott Morrison pulled a goal back for the visitors in the 71st minute with an exquisite curling free kick, but his celebrations were short lived as the Battery hit back quickly with a fourth goal. Substitute forward Heviel Cordoves drove the ball across the face of goal and Morrison’s attempted clearance skewed the ball into his own net.
Midfielder Amadou Sanyang added a fifth for the Battery just before full time with close range finish as the Battery scored five goals in a game for the first time this season.
The Charleston Battery concludes a three-match home-stand this Saturday night with a 7:30 PM game versus the LA Blues at Blackbaud Stadium (1450 AM).