USL PRO Game Report
Saturday, June 7, 2014
RICHMOND, Va. -- The Richmond Kickers got their seventh win of the season on Saturday night as they defeated the visiting Harrisburg City Islanders 1-0. Matthew Delicâte’s seventh goal on the season was enough to see the home team through to victory, along with some stingy defensive play.
Richmond had its first chance of the game in the seventh minute when Luke Vercollone’s cross found Jason Yeisley, who headed the ball down to George Davis IV, but his effort was blasted wide left. Two minutes later, Richmond got on the board when defender Sascha Görres was found as he streaked down the left wing. Görres swung in a cross, which found the head of Delicâte, who did the rest by heading the ball back across the frame and into the net.
Richmond nearly had their second just two minutes later. Delicâte’s through ball sent forward Yeisley on a one-on-one against Harrisburg goalkeeper Nick Noble, but the veteran was able to get a piece of Yeisley’s attempt to go past him, and the ball was cleared away.
Harrisburg almost equalized in the 18th minute after a nice one-two between Pedro Ribiero and Clesio Bauque. Ribiero found a pocket of space after Richmond defender Hugh Roberts slipped, and found Jimmy McLaughlin on his left. McLaughlin’s shot almost beat goalkeeper Joe Willis to the near post, but was turned away.
Richmond had a second goal ruled out for offside in the 21st minute when midfielder Shay Spitz played a short corner to Alex Caskey, and his found the head of Davis IV, who headed the ball down to Delicâte for the finish, but the flag was up, and called back for offside.
Richmond’s final chance of the first half came in the 32nd minute after a give-and-go between Davis IV and Caskey sprung Caskey down the wing. Caskey cut a ball back to Spitz just outside the penalty area, but Spitz's shot sailed over the bar.
The 38th minute saw a nervy moment for the Kickers’ defense when Harrisburg City’s Jose Barrill’s inswinging corner was sent to the near post. The ball took a hop before it could finally be cleared by Davis IV.
Richmond got back on the front foot in the second half and Vercollone did well to draw a handball deep in the Harrisburg half to give Richmond a free kick in the 51st minute. Görres’ effort found the head of Delicâte at the near post, but the shot just missed the target.
Harrisburg’s best chance to equalize came in the 71st minute, when substitute Yann Ekra found Colin Zizzi on a through-ball. Zizzi took the ball to the byline and had his cross deflected in the direction of the goal by a Richmond defender. The ball just missed the target to the right, and went out for a corner.
Richmond had two chances to add to its lead in the final 10 minutes, the first in the 80th minute when Caskey found Görres down the left, who sent a low cross into the path of Yeisley, whose shot just outside the six-yard box was blocked by City Islanders defender Richie Marquez, to shouts for a handball from the home crowd.
The final chance came in the 89th minute when Davis IV’s free kick was deflected off the defensive wall. The ball found the feet of Vercollone who rifled a shot back on target. Vercollone’s shot drew a diving save from Noble to his right, and Richmond substitute Tishan Hanley, was not in time to put the rebound home.
The Richmond Kickers return to City Stadium next Saturday, June 14 to host the Wilmington Hammerheads at 7 p.m. Four days later, the Kickers continue U.S. Open Cup action as they host the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer on Wednesday, June 18. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.