Islanders Hold On to Defeat Kings 2-1
July 18, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
(Harrisburg, PA, July 18, 2007) - The Harrisburg City Islanders (8-2-5) moved into third place in the USL-2 standings by defeating the Cincinnati Kings (2-9-4) by a score of 2-1 in front of 1,753 fans at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island in downtown Harrisburg. David Schofield got the Isle Guys on the board early (7th minute) with an unassisted header and Brian Ombiji tallied the game winner in the 35th minute by finishing a deftly place pass from Brian Devlin.
The Islanders came into tonight's match with something to prove after a scoreless draw at home against Baltimore on Friday. They had recorded two important wins recently with a 1-0 decision in Charlotte and an Open Cup victory over DC United by the same score and they were hoping to prove tonight that they had a potent offense to complement their stalwart defense. The Isle Guys knew it would be battle, as usual, against a Cincinnati side that always comes to play and in this case was attempting to keep any hopes of post season action alive.
It appeared as if the Men In Blue might find the back of the net often when David Schofield cleaned up a loose ball and headed into the back of the Kings' goal in the 7th minute of play. However, even though the Islanders continued to generate opportunities, they were unable to finish.
It was the Cincinnati squad that evened the score in the 34th minute when Nathan Micklos placed a ball from Richard Moodie off the far post and into the net.
However, Brian Devlin took a ball in the middle of the field and went at the Kings' central defenders just moments later. As the defense reacted, Devlin nicely layed the ball into open space for Brian Ombiji who placed it into the back of the net which put the Isle Guys in front for good.
Just before the half, Steve Fisher the hero in the DC United match sent a header just inches wide of the far post.
The second half saw both teams with some scoring opportunities but most of the finishes were weak or covered professionally by the keepers.
Late in the second half the Islanders saw a deflected ball head towards open space in their offensive end with Adam Clay and the Kings' netminder racing towards it...Clay won the battle and sent it into the box to Steve Fisher who was unable to control the cross with his head and sent it wide of the open net.
Matt Tanzini, who had entered the game in the 69th minute threatened the Cincinnati defense on quite a few efforts but none more dangerous than in the 80th minute when he took the ball at his defender and made a sharp cut to the right and unleashed a shot toward the near post hoping to catch the keeper cheating to the far side. No such luck, as Francois Dubourdeau handled the shot that could have easily snuck in.
Dubouordeau showed a little offensive prowess himself as Cincinnati was awarded a direct kick late into the ever increasing stoppage time. With everyone in the box, including the Kings' netminder, Dubourdeau attempted a bicycle kick on the loose ball but he watched it sail over the goal as he raced back the 120 yards to his normal position.
The City Islanders next travel to Annapolis, MD on Wednesday July 25 to take on Crystal Palace Baltimore in the second match of their three game regular season meetings. The Isle Guys return home on Saturday July 28 when they will take on the Richmond Kickers at 7:05pm.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 18, 2007
- Islanders Hold On to Defeat Kings 2-1 - Penn FC
- Cincinnati Kings Drop Close Contest at Harrisburg - Cincinnati Kings
- Phantoms Host Crystal palace Baltimore on Saturday - New Hampshire Phantoms
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