USL PRO Game Report
Friday, July18, 2014
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Harrisburg City Islanders played the Wilmington Hammerheads FC to a 0-0 draw at Skyline Sports Complex on Friday night in front of 2,518. Wilmington's Quillan Roberts and Harrisburg's Nick Noble both performed well as the Hammerheads took a point to move back into a tie for seventh in the league standings.
The first half proved a tough start for both teams offensively. Wilmington had possession for the majority of the half, but the Islanders looks more threatening on the break. Harrisburg outshot the Hammerheads, 5-2, four of which went to the offensive duo of Morgan Langley and Jimmy McLaughlin.
In the 18th minute, Langley's run earned a large amount of space and he received the ball with an opportunity for a wide-open break. As he charged the net, he was met by Roberts, who reacted perfectly to Langley's shot to deflect the ball. McLaughlin also went close in the final minute of the half as he took a shot from just outside the penalty area, but it was sent high as the game remained scoreless.
The second half proved to be much more aggressive from both sides. A 54th-minute shot by Wilmington midfielder Tom Parratt began the half, while the City Islanders' Antoine Hoppenot proved to be a great addition to the roster on loan from the Philadelphia Union for Friday's contest as he threatened in the final half-hour after coming on as a substitute.
Hoppenot had an explosive second half, beginning with a shot in the 65th minute that just missed. Hoppenot followed up in the 76th minute with another attempt that was just barely tipped by Roberts up and out of play, and had another chance four minutes later after an almost-perfect setup from Robbie Derschang. However, Roberts was once again there to intercept the Islanders' effort as he stretched vertically to swat the shot away. As the final minutes ticked away, the match ended as a draw.
The City Islanders will return to their home at Skyline Sports Complex on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. as they take on OKC Energy FC.