NASL North Carolina FC

Matt Fondy and TheRailHawks Tame the Rowdies 4-1

Published on July 9, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


Cary, NC (July 9, 2016)- The Carolina RailHawks (1W-0D-1L) defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies (0W-1D-1L) 4-1 in Carolina's NASL Fall Season home opener at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday night.

"[I'm] delighted, it's been a long time coming," said RailHawks Head Coach Colin Clarke. "We got what we thoroughly deserved, and that was a big win and three points."

The RailHawks struck first as the newest member of the team, Matt Fondy headed his first goal in for Carolina in the 11th minute of play off a corner kick from Nazmi Albadawi. Tampa Bay answered in the 19th minute as Georgi Hristov capitalized on a penalty kick after Drew Beckie was called for a tackle in the box.

With the match tied at 1-1, Brian Shriver looked to take the lead in the 30th minute, but his shot was deflected wide-left by Rowdies goalkeeper Matt Pickens. Carolina continued to bring the pressure with Matt Watson creating an opportunity for himself in the 32nd, but Pickens made yet another valiant save. Six minutes later, Austin da Luz took his turn, heading the ball just over the crossbar.

Out of the locker room, Carolina had their chance at a penalty kick after Fondy was taken down inside the 18. Shriver found the left corner of the net to give the RailHawks a 2-1 lead in the 56th minute. Fondy drew another penalty only three minutes later; Tampa Bay defender Frankie Sanfilippo was called for a handball in the box. Albadawi snuck his shot passed Pickens to make the score 3-1.

"[Fondy] is a center forward who loves to get in front of goal, makes runs across defenders, puts them under pressure, works hard and makes the people around him better because of that," Clarke continued. "He loves to score goals, and I think that will be the first of many, a great performance."

Tampa Bay made an effort in the 69th minute, but Brian Sylvestre stood his ground, blocking a shot from Michael Nanchoff. Albadawi closed out the RailHawks scoring as he took an unassisted shot from distance that was out of Pickens' reach to seal the victory for Carolina at 4-1.

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