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USL Orange County SC

Dike's Standout Play Gives Blues 1-0 Win over Dayton

June 16, 2012 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release


FULLERTON, Calif. - Coming off a three-week stretch without any competitive matches, the Blues defeated the visiting Dayton Dutch Lions 1-0 on Friday behind an impressive performance by forward Bright Dike, who could have had several goals on the night. The 25-year-old netted the game-winner on a stunning solo run in the 56th minute.

In a first half that was dominated by the Blues, Head Coach Charlie Naimo's men nearly found themselves behind less than two minutes in. Gibson Bardsley was released by a nice through ball from midfield, forcing Amir Abedzadeh to rush off his line and make an excellent saving play that earned Bardsley a yellow card for sliding into the Blues goalkeeper.

The Blues nearly took the lead at the other end three minutes later. Former MLS attacking ace Maykel Galindo sprang Dike with a field-opening pass and the on-loan Portland Timber fired a shot on target that was fumbled by opposition netminder Matt Williams, who let the ball go through his legs and breathed a sigh of relief as it rolled just past the near post. Williams would redeem himself in the 11th minute, displaying solid positioning at the near post to block away a Dike blast from the left side of the box.

The athletic Blues striker continued to create problems for the Dutch Lions backline, his closest look of the half thus far coming at the quarter-hour mark, as he never gave up on an overhit through ball from midfield and blocked goalkeeper Williams's attempted clearance, only to see the ball trickle inches wide of the open net. Dike went close again mere moments later when Bryan Burke made one of his trademark runs down the right and whipped a dangerous cross into the area that whistled just high on his teammate's first-time hit.

Five minutes later, it would be Dayton netminder Williams denying the best player on the field, as he threw himself into what would have been an easy tap-in for Dike following a perfectly placed cross from the right by former Dutch Lion George Davis.

The Blues continued to pile on the pressure after the break, Ricky Waddell's excellent 49th minute chip into the area picking out a wide open Davis at the far post. Instead of sealing the victory for his side, the Ohio-native saw his close-range header stopped by a well-positioned Williams. Five minutes later it would be Dike again, this time producing the best shot of the match when his left footed effort from a difficult angle beat the outstretched goalkeeper and bounced off the underside of the crossbar.

The Portland Timbers man finally broke the ice on another stunning play in the 56th minute. Receiving the ball on the left flank, he appeared in no position to score but surprised the entire opposition backline with an outstanding solo run that he topped off by shielding off one last Dayton defender and slipping the ball inside the far post for the go-ahead goal.

The Dutch Lions' best opportunity of the night came six minutes later, as Greg Preciado whipped in a dangerous cross from the right that found the head of substitute Daniel Holowaty. Under pressure from his marker, the striker sent his close-range attempt just wide of the near post.

While the visitors threw everything forward in the closing stages of the match, the final chance was created by the Blues, another individual effort by Dike seeing the Oklahoma native take the ball all the way to the byline and laying it off to fellow forward Matt Fondy, whose attempted first-time finish seemed bound for the upper ninety until it was tipped over in spectacular fashion by Williams.

The Blues hope to register another win in Sunday's 5 p.m. PT rematch with the Dutch Lions. Anyone purchasing a $10 ticket to the Father's Day contest will receive free admission for their Dad. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 714-738-8011 or by visitig www.labluesprosoccer.com.

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