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NASL FC Edmonton

Eddies Earn Another Three Points against RailHawks

August 16, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


CARY, NC (August 16, 2014) - Already taking three points off the Carolina RailHawks in the 2014 North American Soccer League (NASL) Spring Season, FC Edmonton took another three off the RailHawks in a 3-2 victory at WakeMed Soccer Park in North Carolina on Saturday evening.

The RailHawks had some early revenge on the Eddies at the 12th minute when a speeding cross from Jordan Graye met the head of Zack Schilawski who sent the ball off the crossbar and down over the goal line and finally passed FCE goalkeeper Lance Parker to give the home side a 1-0 advantage.

After a slow FC Edmonton start, the Eddies had their opportunities later in the half. Starting in the 40th minute, FCE right-back Eddie Edward found some space down the right side to send in a cross to meet striker Tomi Ameobi. Ameobi's final effort skips wide of the far post for Carolina to remain in the lead.

Shortly before the halftime whistle, Ameobi was once again in against RailHawks goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald, but the striker's final shot was well saved from the FC Edmonton counter attack for it to remain 1-0 for Carolina at the half.

"It was criminal defending from us to allow a goal so early," said FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller at the half. "Other than that I'm pleased. There have been periods in the game where we have caused Carolina a lot of problems. Now we're starting to get more of a presence in the match."

Only a goal down at the restart, FC Edmonton continued to mount offensive pressure on the home side as the second half started.

After three consecutive corner kicks for the Eddies, FCE midfielder Lance Laing, off a through ball at the near post, slid the ball through the legs of Fitzgerald to make the match level at 1-1 in the 53rd minute.

Just over 10 minutes later, the visiting Eddies found themselves once again on the scoresheet after a cross from midfielder Michael Nonni was flicked up by Ritchie Jones and then scissor kicked into the back of the net by the Manchester native to make it 2-1 FC Edmonton.

The Eddies looked to be in control of the match when right-back Edward was called for a foul in the box which gifted Schilawski and the RailHawks their second goal of the evening and another level scoreline at 2-2.

FC Edmonton continued to control the remainder of the match heading into five minutes of added time. In the final minute of the match, Horace James cut in from the far side of the pitch and danced along the 18 yard box when RailHawks defender Austin King jumped in to make the challenge just inside the box. James went down under the foul and the Eddies earned a penalty kick in the final minute of the match. Second half substitute Neil Hlavaty stepped up to the spot and sent a shot right down the middle to make it 3-2 for the Eddies.

FC Edmonton, for the second time in 2014, take all three points off the RailHawks in a 3-2 stoppage time victory.

"I give so much credit to our players here tonight," said Miller after the whistle. "They were magnificent. We were playing well, but we needed to play with more conviction and in the second half they answered everything I asked from them."

The Eddies now return to Edmonton for a long awaited match at Clarke Stadium on Sunday, August 24 (2:00 p.m. MT KO) in a match presented by SMS Equipment against Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Tickets start at just $10 in the YMCA Family Fun Zone and can be purchased at all four Edmonton YMCA locations. For all other tickets, fans can purchase them online at fcedmonton.com or by calling 780.700.2600.

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