Islanders Complicate Playoff Fate with Draw against Richmond
September 12, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg, PA (September 12, 2015) - What looked like a breakthrough in the Islanders push for USL playoffs resulted in an extra-time draw and no major movement in the USL standings for the Harrisburg City Islanders or Richmond Kickers.
Luckily at the same time Pittsburgh was having trouble of their own against Wilmington and ended their match, shortly following the final whistle in Harrisburg, in a 1-1 draw, as well.
The first-half of the match was stagnant with few chances for either side, as both teams were seemingly getting used to the field conditions, which were less than favorable after 12 continues hours of rain prior to kickoff.
After a scoreless first-half momentum on both sides picked up immediately as Harrisburg continually pressured the Richmond backline from all angles.
In the 58th minute, after a questionable call in the Islanders defensive zone, the referee awarded Richmond a penalty kick. Noble guessed the direction diving right, but didn't have to make the save when the shot by George Davis IV hit the right post and was picked up for the clear by Harrisburg.
Scoring finally opened up in the 63rd minute when a shot by Harrisburg's Yann Ekra was deflected by Brett Jankouskas past Richmond's Travis Worra.
Another opportunity arose almost immediately for the Islanders when Craig Foster was given space just outside the box and fired a shot top right corner, only to be saved by Worra.
Richmond continued to keep the pressure on with multiple runs down the right flank resulting in several corner opportunities, but Islanders Goalkeeper Nick Noble and defender Ken Tribbett easily contained all threats.
The second-half was littered with yellow cards awarded to Harrisburg's Erick Cruz and Ekra; as well as, Richmond's William Yomby, Michael Callahan and Hugh Roberts.
A late foul by Yomby against Jason Plumhoff, just outside the 18, resulted in what looked to be the Islanders final scoring opportunity of match, but the sequence between Plumhoff and Philadelphia Union loanee Antoine Hoppenot was quickly cleared by the Richmond backline.
Just as the Islanders looked to have secured three points in the final minutes of play Richmond scored their only goal of the night off of a header by Davis IV in the second minute of extra-time.
With Harrisburg's and Pittsburgh's draws tonight they currently remain in the same position as they were prior to Saturday, with the Islanders trailing the Riverhounds by one point and the Kickers by two. The Islanders have just two regular season matches remaining. Harrisburg will travel to FC Montreal on Wednesday and then return to the Island on Saturday, September 19 to face Pittsburgh in what will decide the winner of the 2015 Keystone Derby Cup and what could decide both teams USL playoff fate.
For more information on the City Islanders or to purchase tickets please visit www.cityislanders.com or call 717-441-GOAL (4625).
United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 12, 2015
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- Saint Louis Snaps Charlotte's Unbeaten Streak - Charlotte Independence
- STL FC Blanks Charlotte in Front of Record Crowd - Saint Louis FC
- Islanders Complicate Playoff Fate with Draw against Richmond - Penn FC
- Kickers Battle Harrisburg to 1-1 Draw - Richmond Kickers
- With Two-Seed Wrapped Up, Louisville City Drops Second Straight - Louisville City FC
- Dantas Rescues Vital Point for 10-Man Hounds - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
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