City Islanders' Open Cup Hopes Damaged in 3-1 Loss
Published on May 23, 2004 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg, PA â The Harrisburg City Islanders' U.S. Open Cup aspirations suffered a serious blow on Saturday night, as the defending PSL champion Wilmington Hammerheads downed the Islanders 3-1 in front of 1,845 at Skyline Sports Complex.
With a win or a tie, Harrisburg would have clinched an Open Cup berth. The defeat leaves Harrisburg at 2-2-0 (six points) in qualifying play. As this match report was finalized, the Islanders needed the San Diego Gauchos to lose their qualifier against the California Gold on Saturday night (11:00 p.m. Eastern kickoff) to secure the final PSL Open Cup invitation.
Wilmington parlayed a noticeable size advantage into two first-half head ball goals. In the 23rd minute, midfielder Kenny Bundy powered a Glen Murray service past losing keeper Dave Kern (six saves), and just seven minutes later Bundy was on the other end, feeding striker Warren Ukah for a successful nod.
Less than a minute after Ukah's score, veteran forward Seamus Donnelly found the net for the first time as an Islander, taking a ball from Pete Shellenberger and slipping it past Wilmington's Billy Platz (eight saves) for a 2-1 score.
The Islanders picked up the pace in the second half but were unable to penetrate a composed and physical Hammerheads backline. Over the final 30 minutes, Harrisburg generated numerous chances as they pushed forward, but all missed narrowly were denied by Platz. In the 59th minute, Derek Potteiger hit the post with a low drive, and Platz stifled quality shots from Seamus Donnelly (56th), Matt Shealer (79th), and David Schofield (a long-range rip in the 90th minute). Additionally, Shealer poked the ball just wide in stoppage time.
Wilmington removed all doubt with a stoppage time counterattack, with late sub Ben Hill beating Kern for the 3-1 final score.
Notes: David Bascome made his Islanders debut, replacing John Lapore at halftime. Bascome played the final 45 minutes at forward...For the first time this season, Craig Tyrrell did not play the full 90 minutes in defense; J.T. Dorsey subbed for him in the 57th minute...Harrisburg hosts the Reading Rage next Sunday, May 30, at 6:05 p.m.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 23, 2004
- Long Island Rough Riders defeat NJ Stallions 2-1 - Long Island Rough Riders
- City Islanders' Open Cup Hopes Damaged in 3-1 Loss - Penn FC
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