Wilmington Falls to Richmond
May 3, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Wilmington Hammerheads FC News Release
Wilmington, NC - The Wilmington Hammerheads hosted their second match of the regular season at Legion Stadium Friday night versus the Richmond Kickers in a windy battle to the finish that resulted in a 2-0 victory for the Kickers.
The Hammerheads held good possession at the beginning of the match as midfielder Will Heaney attempted a header in the 11th minute of play to try and up score the Kickers early. The Kickers retaliated with good possession the length of the field and turned up the momentum in the 31st minute as forward Michael Seaton picked up a shot attempt in the box, only to be called offsides before he could finish. Seaton followed there soon after with a run towards Hammerheads goalkeeper Philip Tuttle, increasing the pressure as he came out for an overhead save.
As the half still remained scoreless, Heaney took a free kick 45 yards out from the goal that was caught directly by Kickers goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra. The Hammerheads tried to gain a lead with as time was drawing to a close. Midfielder Arron Patrick took two back-to-back ground attempts just outside the eighteen, but was denied any through balls by the Kickers defense. Hammerheads defender Tom Parratt, whom was positioned in midfield this match, had a nice turn and steal for the Hammerheads to regain possession in the final minute of stoppage time, only for the whistle to sounds the half leaving both teams scoreless.
The Hammerheads came out of the locker room in the second half hungry for a goal and Parratt proved this as he took a shot on goal in the 46th minute of the match. With both Hammerheads players Paul Nicholson and Shawn Nicklaw out on suspension, fans became restless when midfielder Christian Davidson was served a yellow card after a slide tackle in the 57th minute. Kickers midfielder Nathaniel Robinson took a hard shot on goal nearing the 60th minute that soared over the crossbar, followed by an attempt from teammate Joseph Ngwenya only to be deflected off Hammerheads defender Jamel Wallace.
The night turned sour for Wallace just minutes later when he was inadvertently called for a hand ball in the box, allowing for Kickers midfielder Luke Vercollone to take the penalty and increasing the score 1-0.
Hammerheads defender Uriah Bentick maintained action on the ball with a long shot in the 85th minute that forced Dykstra to dive right and struggling to keep possession, but gained control before Wilmington could follow. Bentick attempted once more in the 88th minute off a corner from Heaney.
Richmond's second goal of the night came off a lengthy breakaway and a one-on-one challenge with Tuttle in stoppage time.
The Wilmington Hammerheads next game will be versus the Rochester Rhinos on Friday, May 10 at Legion Stadium.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 3, 2013
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- Wilmington Falls to Richmond - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
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