USL PRO Game Report
Saturday, July 19, 2014
RICHMOND, Va. – A goal and an assist from Jason Yeisley led the Richmond Kickers to a 4-0 victory against the Charleston Battery on Saturday night at City Stadium, highlighting their 50th meeting between the longtime rivals. George Davis IV also had a goal and assist, while Matt Delicate scored his league-leading 13th goal of the season.
Chances arrived frequently for the Kickers during the first half, with several Richmond players moving around the pitch to create chances to take the lead, including midfielders Davis IV and Shay Spitz, and defender Conor Shanosky.
The Kickers' persistent attack yielded a reward in the 45th minute as Shanosky was able to score the game's first goal when a short corner taken by Spitz and directed to Davis found its way to Shanosky on a run deep in the Battery's penalty area. The defender was able to quickly shoot the ball past Charleston goalkeeper Eric Shannon and lift the Kickers to 1-0 lead as the game entered first-half stoppage time.
As fans cheered the opening goal, it didn't take long for Richmond to find the back of the net again as a pass from Spitz reached Davis inside the penalty area, and gave the midfielder a prime opportunity to shoot the ball past Shannon in the box and extend their lead to two goals over the Battery at the halftime break.
Less than six minutes into the second stanza, Yeisley was able to get on the score sheet with a goal of his own thanks to the playmaking of defender Alex Lee and midfielder Luke Vercollone. Lee drove down the right wing in an effort to keep the ball in play. Once settled, Lee was able to find a waiting Vercollone on the edge of the penalty area, and the veteran midfield directed a quick aerial pass to Yeisley inside the box, who was able to direct the ball into the back of the net.
Richmond continued to press forward through the second half as Yeisley was able to get an assist after getting a low cross to the feet of a charging Delicate in the 68th minute. The veteran forward was able to take Yeisley's cross and send it into the back of the net to make it 4-0
Richmond goalkeeper Joe Willis was able to preserve the clean sheet in front of the Richmond net, stopping a number of late chances by Charleston, including a first-time shot by Battery forward Dane Kelly at the top of Richmond's penalty area.
Richmond and Charleston will meet again on Tuesday night at Blackbaud Stadium in a game that was previously postponed due to lightning. . The Kickers return home on Saturday, July 26 to face the Harrisburg City Islanders, before hosting Crystal Palance of the Barclays Premier League on Monday, July 28. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.