USL-1 Charleston Battery

Battery defeats Village United

Published on April 15, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery defeated the Jamaican Premier League side Village United by a score of two goals to one Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of a crowd of 741. The game was Charleston's final home pre-season fixture before the 2006 home opener on April 29. Defender Chris Brunt headed in the winning goal for the Battery in the 58th minute.

The Battery started brightly and took the lead after only 4 minutes. Midfielder Jeff Matteo slipped a low pass out to winger Luke Vercollone on the left side. Vercollone controlled the ball then fired a cross into the middle. Forward Ian Fuller ran onto the pass and snapped a header beyond United goalkeeper Aaron Lawrence.

Village United tied the game up in the 12th minute. Forward Newton Sterling ran on to a through ball and managed to lift it over Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock. Sterling then rounded Hudock and slotted home from six yards out.

Charleston continued to press and were unfortunate not to take the lead again in the 36th minute. The ball ricocheted out to midfielder Chris Corcoran from a corner kick; Corcoran hit a hard first-time shot at the goal but it deflected wide of the target.

In the 48th minute Battery midfielder Omar Daley broke a tackle on the right flank. He carried the ball to the goal line then drove in a low cross to the back post. Fuller again reached the ball first but his attempt missed just left of the goal.

The game-winner came in the 58th minute as Battery defender Shane Crawford swept a cross in from the right side. Defender Chris Brunt was ready in the middle and headed into the right corner of the goal. Crawford joined Charleston last week from Village United, this was his first game for the Battery.

United had a late chance to level the scores in the 84th minute but substitute forward Ricardo Geddes' shot was saved by a diving Dusty Hudock.

The Charleston Battery home opener is set for Saturday, April 29th at Blackbaud Stadium as the Virginia Beach Mariners come to town. Gates open at 6:30 PM with kick off set for 7:30 PM ($8 - $15, 971-GOAL).

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USL First Division Stories from April 15, 2006


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