Richmond grabs playoff berth
Published on August 22, 2004 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Toronto Lynx News Release
TORONTO, ONT -- The Richmond Kickers locked up a playoff berth and momentarily and moved to the top of the Eastern Conference with a 1-0 win in Toronto Saturday night in front of 1,828 at Centennial Park Stadium.
The Kickers entered tonight's match trailing the Montreal Impact by 2 points for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. On the flip side the Lynx were looking to play the spoiler, coming off an emotional overtime victory over Virginia Beach.
Both teams opened the half with crisp passing and stifling defense.
Toronto's best opportunity of the half came in the 14th minute when star striker Ali Gerba hammered a ball from the inside the box that rang off the right post.
Richmond returned the favour minutes later when Chris Fox slid a pass to Clyde Simms streaking down the right side of the box, but his right footer just missed the left post, scoreless after the first 45 minutes.
The second half saw the Kickers start to assert themselves offensively with striker Kevin Jeffrey spearheading the charge. In the 55th minute Jeffrey sent a cross that was first headed by Matt Bobo and then off the head of McColm Cephas before going wide of the goal. In the 62nd minute Jeffrey rifled a free kick from the top of the box just over the crossbar.
Jeffrey's hard work was rewarded minutes later when he faked a shot and delivered a perfect ball to a wide open McColm Cephas for the easy tap in, 1-0 Richmond.
The Lynx had an opportunity to tie the match in the 78th minute when Charles Gbeke sent a lovely ball between two defenders and onto the foot of David DiPlacido, but he couldn't find the mark against Ronnie Pascale.
The Kickers went into a defensive shell for the remainder of the match, getting another chance to increase their lead when Jeffrey displayed excellent ball control before his shot was stopped by a diving Bryheem Hancock, making the final 1-0 for the Kickers.
With the victory Richmond improves to 16-8-3 and pulls one point clear of Montreal atop the Eastern Conference. The Lynx fall to 9-15-1 on the season and are in action again Thursday, August 26 at 7:30pm against the Edmonton FC on Fan Appreciation Night, the final home game of the 2004 season. The match will also feature the Lynx annual player awards and game-worn jersey silent auction.
USL First Division Stories from August 22, 2004
- Conway PK Sinks Mariners - Charleston Battery
- Mariners lose to Charleston 1-0 - Virginia Beach Mariners
- Mustangs battle to draw with Minnesota - Calgary Mustangs
- Mariners fall to Charleston and out of playoff contention - Virginia Beach Mariners
- Richmond grabs playoff berth - Toronto Lynx
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