USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Take 4-0 Win over Antigua

Published on June 14, 2013 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Kickers extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games and leapfrogged into second place in the USL PRO standings with a 4-0 win over Antigua Barracuda FC Friday night. Brian Ownby notched a pair of second half goals and Nate Robinson contributed a goal and an assist before rookie midfielder Joseph Haboush rounded out the scoreline as the Kickers blanked the Barracuda at City Stadium.

After a goal was called offside in the first minute of play, the Kickers set the tone for the first half, peppering the Barracuda box with threatening chances. Increasing the pressure in the 11th minute, the Kickers nearly broke the ice when Robinson served a cross into the box from the right wing, finding Jason Yeisley in the penalty area. The Kickers forward stepped around his defender but mistimed his shot, allowing time for Barracuda defenders to swarm and clear the ball. Defender Sascha Görres stepped up to the rebound and launched a 25-yard rocket that dipped just over the crossbar.

Not to be denied for much longer, the Kickers opened scoring in the 24th minute when Yeisley received the ball at the end line. Cutting back and drawing the 'keeper, he sliced the ball across the goalmouth to an awaiting Robinson at the back post. Taking two steps towards goal, the Kickers midfielder tapped home the first goal of the night.

Yeisley nearly doubled the score 10 minutes later when he received a cross from Ownby at the left post but his diving header glanced just wide of the far post.

Searching for the equalizer before the break, Barracuda midfielder Orlando Mitchum carried the ball down the left flank and attempted to center it for an onrushing Eugine Kirwan but he got tangled up by the Kickers defense before he could line up his shot in the 44th minute.

Picking up where they left off, Antigua nearly leveled the score seconds after the restart when Rolston Phoenix collected the ball at midfield and charged towards goal. Driving a low distance shot on frame, he forced Kickers goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra to leap to his right but his outstretched fingertips could not quite reach as the ball drifted just wide of the post.

The Kickers deflated the Antigua attack 10 minutes later when Yeisley played the ball to the top of the box, finding Robinson in the penalty area. The goalscorer turned playmaker as he settled the ball and fed it through to Ownby who beat James as he came off his line to challenge and slotted it into an empty net.

Ownby was integral again in the 77th minute, scoring the Kickers third goal of the night. Serving the ball into a crowded box from the left flank, Görres found Ownby through traffic at the six yard box and the Richmond native turned and tucked his second goal of the night into the back of the net.

Hoping to pull a goal back in the 82nd minute, Antigua midfielder Tamorley Thomas battled for the ball 30 yards out and attempted a long-distance shot that soared wide of the target. Dykstra distributed the goal kick to midfield and Juan Arbelaez latched onto it, eluding defenders en route to Barracuda territory. He slotted a through ball to Joseph Ngwenya at the top of the 18 but his one-time strike was smothered by a diving James.

In the waning minutes of regulation, the Kickers capped off the night when a cross from Görres from the left side found Ngwenya at the far post. His header fell back to an unmarked Haboush and the rookie midfielder made no mistake with a half volley from point blank range.

The Richmond Kickers conclude their early season home stand at City Stadium next Saturday, June 22 when they play host to Major League Soccer's Vancouver Whitecaps at 7:00 p.m.

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