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NASL FC Edmonton

Eddies Lose to Strikers 3-1

May 4, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


EDMONTON, AB - FC Edmonton returned to regular North American Soccer League (NASL) action on Saturday against a visiting Fort Lauderdale Strikers team in front of a chilly crowd of FCE faithful at Clarke Stadium. The Eddies were looking to get into the win column for the first time in their NASL spring campaign, having lost twice and drawn once in their first three matches. But it was the Fort Lauderdale Strikers that found the majority of the offence in the match as they went on to earn the 3-1 victory over the home team.

The first half was very much a defensive battle as neither team had many chances in the early going. It was the visiting side that was first on the board in the 39th minute. Martin Nunez capitalized on a second effort when a through ball found him right in front of goal after Eddies' goalkeeper John Smits made the initial save. Nunez made no mistake and chipped it over the head of Smits to put the Strikers up 1-0 heading into the half.

Fort Lauderdale got on the board again in the 64th minute when a rush up the middle saw a pass from Darnell King meet a streaking Fafa Picault, who put it off the right post and in to double their lead. But the Eddies were quick to respond when a pass off the head of Tomi Ameobi deep in Striker territory found the boot of Daryl Fordyce, who used a cheeky back-heel kick to put it past Striker 'keeper Lionel Brown to narrow the Strikers' lead to 2-1.

But the Strikers capitalized once again on an opportunity in the 79th minute. Edmonton defender Albert Watson received a red card for handling the ball inside the Eddies' penalty area. Mark Anderson made no mistake to convert on the penalty kick and gave the Strikers the 3-1 lead, which they would keep until the final whistle.

Extra minutes in the match resulted in a scare for the Eddies when forward Sadi Jalali went down during a challenge with two Fort Lauderdale players. Jalali stayed down for several minutes before being stretchered off the pitch.

"There was some good football and some not so good football," said FCE head coach Colin Miller. "Young Hanson did well once again to kick-start our offence, but it was not enough to bring us back in the game. Credit to Fort Lauderdale, they came with a very strong team, but we have to do better."

FC Edmonton will take another break from regular NASL season action when they play host to the Montreal Impact in the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship semi-final round on Wednesday, May 7. Game time is 7:30 p.m. MT KO. FC Edmonton season ticket holders already have their ticket for Wednesday's Amway match by using Bonus Ticket #1 in their season ticket package.

The Eddies will look to reverse their NASL fortunes when they head on the road to take on the Indy Eleven in their next regular season match on Saturday, May 10.

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