USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Defeat Wilmington 2-0 in First Road Match

May 3, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


WILMINGTON, NC - The Richmond Kickers claimed a 2-0 win in Wilmington Friday night during their first road trip of the season and the opening leg of a back-to-back weekend. Veteran midfielder Luke Vercollone converted a second half penalty to give the visitors the lead before 17-year old forward Michael Seaton notched the decisive goal in stoppage time in his professional debut.

Wilmington saw the first good chance of the night when defender Uriah Bentick whipped in a cross from the left side of the box. Midfielder Will Heaney tested Kickers goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra early when he won the ball in the air but his header whizzed just wide of the target.

Despite the early pressure, it was the visitors who nearly opened scoring in the 33rd minute when midfielder Nate Robinson fired a determined strike from the right flank. His effort skimmed the underside of the crossbar before falling to Michael Seaton, parked at the left post, but the 17-year old forward's attempt to bury the rebound was ruled offside.

Just before the break, the Hammerheads nearly capitalized on a long throw-in deep in the left corner when forward Christian Davidson served the ball into the box, only to see it ricochet out to the top of the 18. A well-positioned Arron Patrick rushed onto the loose ball and unleashed a driven shot into the pack but his attempt was cleared by Kickers defenders.

Following the restart, the Hammerheads pressed for the icebreaker when Parratt fired a powerful distance shot that forced Dykstra to dive to his right as the ball whistled just passed the upright.

The scales tipped in favor of the away side 20 minutes later when Vercollone stole the ball at midfield and steamrolled through the field towards the box. Approaching the 18 yard line, he fed the ball to Joseph Ngwenya who was denied by Bentick. Kickers defender Alex Lee delivered the resulting throw-in and once again found an onrushing Ngwenya who sent his second consecutive shot skyward.

Then, in attempt to block Robinon's shot from the top of the box, a Wilmington defender's handball inches from the 18 yard line earned the Kickers a penalty. Vercollone stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted the ball into the right corner to take the lead.

With two minutes remaining in regulation, the Hammerheads searched for the equalizer when Heaney's inswinging corner kick connected with Bentick but his close range header sailed just over the crossbar.

With the final seconds of stoppage time looming near, Seaton took advantage of a rebound in Wilmington territory and powered down the field on a breakway. Facing Tuttle 1v1, he coolly slipped the ball past the diving goalkeeper to send the Kickers home with three points.

The Richmond Kickers return to City Stadium on Saturday, May 4 for their second game in 24 hours when they host the Charlotte Eagles at 7:00 p.m.

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