USL PRO Game Report
Friday, April 18, 2014
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- With a constant downpour the entire game, the Charleston Battery were able to withstand the rain and preserve a 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls Reserves on Friday night at Blackbaud Stadium. Michael Bustamante gave the Red Bulls Reserves the lead from the penalty spot, but Dane Kelly's first goal of the season earned the Battery their third point of the season.
“Their keeper made two or three really good saves in the first half,” Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser said. “They put the penalty away, but you have to credit our guys for coming back down. It was a good ball by Zach Prince, Heviel Cordoves whipped a great ball into the box and Dane Kelly finished it off. Unluckily, we didn’t get the second one to win.”
The Battery dominated the chances in the first half of play in the wet conditions. In the 23rd minute, Kelly pressured New York defender Kevin Politz into a turnover just outside of the New York penalty area. After collecting the turnover, Kelly sprinted toward the goal and had his shot blocked by Red Bulls goalkeeper Ryan Meara. The ball ricocheted onto the foot of Battery forward Mamadou Diouf, whose shot was blocked and cleared quickly by New York.
Late in the half, Kelly was able to intercept a pass about 30 yards away from the goal. Kelly stopped immediately and fired a shot on target that was bobbled and then controlled by Meara in front of the goal.
The second half started slowly but the 66th minute saw the excitement of the match surge when Prince was called for a foul in the area and the Red Bulls were awarded a penalty kick. After some protest from Charleston, Bustamante stepped up and calmly buried the ball in the back of the net.
The Battery were able to answer and tie the game in the 73rd minute. Prince played a through ball from just inside the Charleston defensive half and Cordoves tracked it down deep in the left side. Cordoves quickly fired a low cross in front of the goal mouth and Kelly slid in to knock the ball home.
In a very physical match, tensions boiled over in the 76th minute and, after a brief scuffle between the two teams, Meara was sent off after receiving two yellow cards during the incident. Bustamante and Battery defender Colin Falvey were also given yellow cards for their involvement in the incident. Falvey would pick up a second yellow in the 89th minute and was also sent off.
The Battery will next face the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. on Saturday, April 26 at 6 p.m.