Islanders Top Independence 2-0 as Charlotte's Road Woes Continue
May 16, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release
Charlotte Independence vs. Harrisburg City Islanders
(Charlotte Independence)
HARRISBURG, Pa. (May 16, 2015) - The Harrisburg City Islanders continued their fine run of form at home by beating the traveling Charlotte Independence 2-0 on a calm Saturday evening. Cardel Benbow and Ken Tribbett tallied a goal each in the first half to improve Harrisburg to 4-2-1 on the season and drop Charlotte to 2-3-2.
Both sides were slow to get into the game, despite Benbow firing the Islanders into the lead in the 11th minute. A simple loose ball counterattack saw the Jamaican streak into the box and smash home the opener in the blink of an eye.
Despite Charlotte's keen possession, nothing came together when it mattered for the visitors. Forward Ryan Finley had a good chance in the 30th minute when he flicked a header to the far post, but Islanders goalkeeper Nick Noble made easy work of it.
Set-pieces continued to be an issue for Charlotte after Islanders midfielder Jason Plumhoff found Tribbett in the 34th minute. Tribbett rose to meet an in-swinging corner at the back post with a tidy finish to put the game out of reach.
The Independence's worries were further compounded when goalkeeper John Berner went down in the 40th minute and had to be replaced at halftime by Diego Restrepo. Restrepo showed well, but Harrisburg rarely troubled his net.
Finley once again found himself in the right place at the right time in the 52nd minute when his snapping header found its way to the corner of the goal, but a diving Noble managed to palm it away and block the rebound.
The Independence rarely seemed to struggle to get the ball, but were unable to move it in the final third as a well-disciplined Harrisburg endured wave after wave of Charlotte attack.
Charlotte looks to rebound next Saturday, the 23rd, when it takes on the Charleston Battery in South Carolina at 7:30pm ET.
Images from this story
 Charlotte Independence vs. Harrisburg City Islanders |
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