USL-1 Charleston Battery

Battery held by Village

Published on June 9, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


CHARLESTON, SC-Fielding an almost all reserve side, the Charleston Battery drew 1-1 in Saturday's international friendly with Jamaican Premier League side Village United. Michael Todd netted a 62nd minute header for the Battery's only goal. After playing down a man for the entire second half, Village United's Nigel Ellis drew the game level in the 90th minute.

Village United included several former and current Jamaican National Team members including Christopher Dawes and Theodore Whitmore, who both played for Jamaica in the 1998 World Cup, along with current members William Wilson, Kirk Hendricks, and Jeff Pearce.

Village United also featured former Battery players Shane Crawford and Newton Sterling, Sterling was ejected from the game just before the halftime whistle for his over aggressive play.

From the opening kick, the Battery controlled the run of play. In a night of near misses, the Battery nearly got on the board in the 29th minute when Aaron King missed from inside the six-yard box, slamming his shot off a defender. Todd jumped on the rebound, but was robbed by Village United goalkeeper Elvis Hart, diving to his right, tipped the ball to safety.

The Jamaicans' best chance in the half came late in the half when Lacon Brissett tried to beat the Battery's Keith Wiggans from 40 yards out. Wiggans had little difficulty scrambling back and covering the ball.

Playing a man down after Sterling's ejection, Village United employed a bunkering tactic, pulling all nine field players back behind the ball, and relied on the acrobatics of Hart, who made a brave save at the feet of King in the 47th minute. Two minutes later he got just enough of the ball to deny King yet again on a breakaway attempt that went just wide of the goal.

After considerable pressure from the Battery, Todd finally put one past Brissett, who was left stranded on a Mike Rochardson cross from the left flank. Unmarked, Todd easily finished his chance.

It looked like the Battery all but had the win wrapped up when Nigel Ellis first-timed a looping cross from the right flank by Rohan Reed, which caught much of the Battery defense asleep. There was nothing Battery understudy goalkeeper could do but watch it bounce off the inside of his far post.

The Battery return to action against the Central Florida Kraze on Tuesday in the opening round of the U.S. Open Cup. Last year, the Battery advanced to the fourth round of the tournament before falling to MLS' F.C. Dallas on penalty kicks after playing to a 3-3 draw at Blackbaud Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:30p.m. Tickets are $10, $5 for season ticket holders.

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USL First Division Stories from June 9, 2007


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