Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Friday, July 1, 2011
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery failed to break down a resilient LA Blues defense on Friday night at Blackbaud Stadium as they fought to a 0-0 tie. Forward Dane Kelly came closest to breaking the deadlock but his point-blank stoppage-time header was clawed away by Blues goalkeeper Oscar Dautt.
Charleston goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra recorded just one save on the way to his shutout and was largely untroubled by the Los Angeles attack.
The game started slowly with L.A. creating the first chance in the 12th minute. Forward Chuk Chijindu found some space just outside the box but drilled his shot over the bar.
Charleston responded with a flowing move down the right flank in the 25th minute as defender Nigel Marples picked out Alex Caskey at the top of the box. Caskey attempted a first-time shot but it sailed high.
Just before half time Kelly chased down a long pass that bounced awkwardly over Dautt at the six-yard box. Kelly stretched to try and turn the ball into the empty goal but could not redirect the ball on target from an acute angle.
Charleston enjoyed more of the ball after the break and created several quality chances. Kelly shot high in the 72nd minute and then was denied a strong penalty shout five minutes later after he outpaced the two central defenders into the box. There was slight contact as he went around the last defender Ellys Garcia but the referee waved away the Battery’s claims.
Dautt’s superb last second save was the highlight of the match as he thwarted Kelly after another quick and fluid Battery build-up down the left channel.
Charleston returns to Blackbaud Stadium next Saturday night to take on league-leading Orlando City at 7:30 p.m.