Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com
Monday, July 4, 2011
RICHMOND, Va. – The depth of the Richmond Kickers' squad proved the deciding factor in their 3-1 victory over the Dayton Dutch Lions on Monday afternoon at City Stadium as goals by Ryan Heins, David Bulow and Edson Elcock send the Kickers back into second place in USL PRO's American Division.
Temperatures soared into the 90s in Richmond for the 1 p.m. kickoff and both teams struggled to overcome the heat and put together any attacking moves in the early stages. Dayton’s first attacking venture came in the 13th minute and resulted in the opening goal when Richmond defender Dave Hertel mistimed his tackle inside the box. The referee called the penalty and Dayton defender Joe Tait stepped up and fired the ball into the bottom left corner.
The Kickers fought to find a way back into the game and were able to capitalize in the 30th minute when Heins headed in Bulow’s long throw-in. Heins’ header looped over Dayton goalkeeper Jesper Leerdam and into the far corner of the net to tie the score.
Richmond coach Leigh Cowlishaw made a triple substitution at the half, introducing Evan Harding, Bobby Foglesong and Stanley Nyazamba to bring some fresh legs to the side. Nyazamba made an immediate impact, sending in a cross for Bulow in the 52nd minute. The Kickers striker was taken down inside the box and the referee again blew his whistle for the penalty. Bulow stepped up and sent Leerdam the wrong way to give the Kickers the lead.
Nyazamba was influential again in the 74th minute, when he threaded a through-ball into the box for Edson Elcock, who made the most of the opportunity and fired his shot into the net to double Richmond’s lead.
Cowlishaw said he knew his players were tiring, but he “knew we had more attacking options off the bench. I was very pleased with the depth of the squad and the players who came in and had to play out of position because that helped tremendously.”
Richmond’s next home game against the Charlotte Eagles will be televised on FOX Soccer at 8 p.m. this Friday. For more information, visit www.richmondkickers.com.