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NASL FC Edmonton

Eddies Continue to Climb NASL Standings with 1-0 Win over RailHawks

May 22, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


Daryl Fordyce of FC Edmonton Celebrates a Goal
Daryl Fordyce of FC Edmonton Celebrates a Goal
(FC Edmonton)

EDMONTON, AB - FC Edmonton (4W-2D-2L) pushed their undefeated streak in North American Soccer League (NASL) play to five matches with a 1-0 win over Carolina RailHawks (4W-1D-3L), May 22 at Clarke Field.

Eddies all-time leading scorer Daryl Fordyce registered the lone goal of the match, while teammate Matt VanOekel secured his fourth clean sheet of the Spring Season.

It was a wet day at Clarke Field that saw both teams adjusting to the challenges of a slippery surface. The Eddies held an edge in possession through the opening minutes of play and used that edge to tee up Eddies captain Albert Watson, who fired a shot at RailHawks goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre from outside the box for the home side's first opportunity of the match.

The visiting RailHawks saw their shot on target arrive on 25 minutes, when midfielder Nazmi Albadawi found Billy Schuler just outside the box. Unfortunately for the visitors, the forwards left-footed attempt would trickle wide. Carolina's Brian Shriver looked to be through on goal on just over ten minutes later, but 'keeper VanOekel did well to come off his line to deny the opposition forward a chance on goal.

Both sides came close to opening the score line before the first half whistle, with RailHawks midfielder Matt Watson firing a dangerous attempt from 20-yards-out. At the other end of the pitch, Eddies winger Dustin Corea's watched as his strike from inside the box was parried away by 'keeper Sylvestre, sending both teams into the break scoreless at 0-0.

Carolina came close to opening the score line on two occasions to open the second half, beginning with an Alex Perez header that lifted over the crossbar and followed up by an Albadawi attempt towards goal that would hit the side netting.

After withstanding the RailHawks attempts, the Eddies were unlucky to not open the score themselves as the match hit the hour mark. Salvadorian international Corea displayed some tidy foot work inside the box before firing a quick, left-footed shot that struck the post before bouncing away from danger.

With momentum swinging in their favour, the Eddies were awarded a penalty kick on 79 minutes after Eddies captain Albert Watson was taken down inside the box. Eddies all-time leading scorer Fordyce stepped up to the spot and found the bottom right corner to give the Eddies the 1-0 lead.

A nervy 10 minutes of play was handled well by the Eddies, who combined for 15 tackles and 17 clearances after all was said and done. Late pushes into the attacking third by the RailHawks proved fruitless, as the Eddies pushed their undefeated streak to five matches in league play.

Next up, FC Edmonton travels to Florida to face expansion side Miami FC, 6:00 p.m. on May 28 at FIU Stadium. The match will be broadcast live on beIN Sports. For more information, please visit www.fcedmonton.com. The outcome of Sunday's New York, Tampa Bay Rowdies match will determine who sits in first following Sunday's NASL action.

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Daryl Fordyce of FC Edmonton Celebrates a Goal
Daryl Fordyce of FC Edmonton Celebrates a Goal
   



North American Soccer League Stories from May 22, 2016


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