Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery tied 0-0 with Portsmouth F.C. Wednesday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 3,345 fans. Both teams had good chances to win the game but in the end key saves from both goalkeepers kept the scoresheet clean.
“This is how we have to start and play each game. If we do, than there is a great chance we will get the next couple wins and those three points that we need,” said Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser.
The first major chance of the game came in favor of Portsmouth F.C. in the sixth minute, but Battery defender John Wilson tried to clear the ball with a header. The header was then met by Portsmouth’s Joel Ward who took a low strike just wide of the net.
Retaliating in the 15th minute, the Battery’s Zach Prince brought the ball up field and beat the Pompey defense with a burst of speed. Reaching the penalty area it was just Prince and Portsmouth’s goalkeeper Steven Henderson one-on-one, but Prince’s touch was just too heavy and the ball was cleared to safety.
In the 17th minute the Battery attacked again with a long ball over the top from midfielder Nicki Paterson. Forward Dane Kelly ran onto the pass but after pulling the ball back onto his right foot his shot was blocked by Aaron Mokoena.
Just following in the 19th minute, Paterson was found on the dribble again slotting a through ball to Kelly on the run. With a sleek move, the Portsmouth defense was caught off balance and room was left for a cross, which met the head of a diving Levi Coleman whose attempt went just left of the goal.
Seven minutes into the second half Portsmouth’s Nwankwo Kanu found space at the top of the box with the ball at his feet. Turning to his right he laid a square ball to Luke Varney whose shot was well saved by Battery goalkeeper Keith Wiggans.
The best chance of the game fell to Coleman in the 76th minute after the ball was mis-cleared to him by the Portsmouth goalkeeper. Coleman turned to shoot at the empty net but his attempt missed just wide of the right post.
The Battery will return to USL PRO play at Blackbaud Stadium this Saturday as they face the Rochester Rhinos at 7:30 p.m.