Richmond Kickers clinch posteason berth with 2-0 win over Harrisburg City Islanders

The Richmond Kickers punched their ticket to the postseason with a decisive 2-0 win over the Harrisburg City Islanders Saturday night.  Kickers forward Edson Elcock struck early to give the Kickers the edge in the 11th minute before Gerson dos Santos doubled the score in the second half.
 
The Kickers challenged Harrisburg goalkeeper Danny Cepero out of the gate, applying pressure in the fourth minute of play.  Midfielder Mike Burke and forward Matthew Delicâte combined to test the waters when Burke floated a cross into the box from the right side.  Delicâte stretched to put a head on the ball but his attempt spiraled over the crossbar.
 
Delicâte was not to be denied again seven minutes later when he set up the Kickers first tally of the night.  Elcock received a long pass from defender Henry Kalungi behind the defense.  Laying the ball back to an open Delicâte eight yards out, he fired on goal.  Cepero was on his line and made the save but was unable to gain control of the ball.  As it ricocheted back into the mix, Elcock snuck in and buried the rebound from point blank range.
 
The Kickers gave Cepero a work out again in the 23rd minute when Burke played a long ball into the Islanders penalty area, finding Delicâte in the air.  The big forward’s nod across the goal fell to an unmarked dos Santos, who struck quickly but an alert Cepero was there to wrap it up.
 
Looking dangerous on the counter attack, the Islanders nearly drew the game level in the 28th minute.  Midfielder David Schofield delivered a cross deep on the right side to Kai Kasiguran.  The near post proved to be a friend of the Kickers as his header rattled the woodwork only to be cleared by the Richmond defense.
 
It was Ronnie Pascale who came to the Kickers rescue in the 37th minute when an Islanders long ball sliced through the midfield.  A wide-open Jason Hotchkin headed the ball from 12 yards out but it could not muster enough pace to slip through the hands of the Kickers veteran keeper. 
 
Five minutes after the restart, the Kickers sealed their fate when dos Santos notched his second goal of the season.  Defender Sascha Görres crossed the ball from the left side to an awaiting Delicâte.  His header sailed across the goalmouth, landing at the feet of a perfectly positioned dos Santos, who buried a one-time volley from six yards into the left corner.
 
Hoping to pull a goal back in the 57th minute, the City Islanders found their best chance of the second half when Jason Pelletier attempted to nod the ball home from the right side.  Lacking momentum, the ball sailed just wide left of the target.
 
Later, Delicâte was determined to make it three but was stifled by Harrisburg defenders twice in a span of 10 minutes as the clock began to wind down.
 
First, in the 63rd minute, a cross from Elcock found an unmarked Burke at the far post.  Laying the ball off smoothly with his head, he found Delicâte perched at the penalty spot.  With one touch, he hit a fierce volley from close range to beat the goalkeeper but was stopped by a heroic save by a defender waiting on the line.
 
Ten minutes later, second half substitute Stephen Nsereko served up a cross from the left side that Delicâte headed down past Cepero but again was denied glory by a Harrisburg defender who cleared the ball off the line.
 
Maintaining possession, the Kickers controlled the run of play in the waning minutes to preserve the clean sheet and to guarantee a valuable spot in the postseason.
 
 
Box Score             First Half         Second Half                Final
Richmond                      1                      1                            2                                            
Harrisburg                     0                      0                            0
 
 
Starting Lineups
Kickers:  GK Ronnie Pascale, William Yomby, Sascha Görres, Dave Hertel, Henry Kalungi, Luke Vercollone, Bobby Foglesong (Jeremy Barlow – 87’), Gerson dos Santos, Mike Burke, Edson Elcock (Stephen Nsereko – 71’), Matthew Delicâte
 
City Islanders:  GK Danny Cepero, Geoff Bloes, Tyler Ruthven, Anthony Calvano, Jeritt Thayer, Jason Pelletier, J.T. Noone (Mpho Moloi – 76’), Kai Kasiguran (Vince Patrasso – 45’), David Schofield (Dominic Oppong – 45’), Jason Hotchkin (Ryan Zabinski – 83’), Sheanon Williams (Nate Jafta – 76’)
 
Shots                           Saves                           Fouls                            Corners
City Islanders:   4          City Islanders:   3          City Islanders:   12         City Islanders:   5
Kickers:            9          Kickers:            2          Kickers:            6          Kickers:            5
 
Cautions:
89th minute: Anthony Calvano (Harrisburg)
 
Ejections:
None
 
Referee:                       Jim Sadowski
Assistant Referees:      Kai Goodrich, Jeff Davis
Fourth Official:             Florian DeVries
Attendance:                 1,833
Weather:                      83°, overcast  
Stadium:                      Richmond City Stadium
Union First Market Man of the Match:  Luke Vercollone