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Kickers battle to scoreless draw against Harrisburg Saturday

21 Jun, 2008

The Richmond Kickers battled the Harrisburg City Islanders to a
scoreless draw on Saturday night in front of 1,690 rain-soaked fans at the University of Richmond Stadium. Harrisburg star midfielder Mo Oduor was sent off in the 15th minute, leaving the City Islanders a man down for the remainder of the match. Despite outnumbering the City Islanders, the Kickers were not able to find the back of the net to break the stalemate.

Richmond opened the attack early with a 6th minute close-call by midfielder Ian Bennett. The ball was played deep on the right flank to a waiting David Bulow, who played it back to Bennett, 10 yards out. He settled the ball in scoring position but fired a missile that sailed high over the crossbar. Five minutes later, Captain Mike Burke gathered a loose ball inside the box and slotted it through Harrisburg challengers, to find Stanley Nyazamba at the penalty spot. The native of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe got off a quick strike but his attempt found the same fate as Bennett's, minutes before.

Not long after, Oduor earned a yellow card for a dangerous tackle against Burke at midfield. In the scuffle that ensued, Oduor found himself sent off for vicious conduct, leaving his team down to ten men, without their leading scorer.

As the end of the half loomed near, City Islanders midfielder Brian Ombiji slid the ball across the field to an open Ryan Pierce inside the box, on the left side. Pierce cracked a calculated, point-blank shot but Richmond goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale did not let it find its target.

The restart opened with Kickers midfielder Adrian Bumbut behind four consecutive close calls. First, in the 49th minute he slipped the ball just past the near post but tried again three minutes later. This time, he eluded defenders into the box and sent a rocket that was deflected wide of the bull's-eye. Two minutes later, he was back in action, directing a close range shot but Cepero made a leaping save.
Later, he looked dangerous again, this time slicing the ball through the Harrisburg defense from the top of the box, glancing inches from the far post.

Harrisburg gained momentum in the 61st minute when midfielder Brian Devlin carried the ball through the midfield, slipping it to forward Ryan Heins near the top of the box. Heins settled the ball and sent it high over the crossbar. Eight minutes later, Devlin again played the ball across the box to an unmarked Brett Weisner but his shot fell to the near post and Pascale stretched to make the stop.

Nyazamba looked for the icebreaker in the 71st minute when he received a well-played cross from defender Sascha Görres on the right side of the box. He trapped the ball with his chest and half-volleyed the potential game-winner but Cepero tipped it against the woodwork.

Each team strived to come out on top but no one could capitalize in the final minutes of the match. With two minutes until full-time Devlin teamed up again with Heins, who was in scoring position at the top of the 18 but his shot floated wide of the net. With five minutes of stoppage time called, the Kickers were awarded a free kick in Harrisburg territory. Görres played an inswinger to the far post but a City Islanders defender headed the ball over the crossbar.

The Kickers take to the road to face the Western Mass Pioneers in the US Open Cup Second Round on Tuesday, June 24th at 7:30 pm. The winner will travel to the New England Revolution (MLS) on Tuesday, July 1st. The Kickers return home on Saturday, July 12th to host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Gifts For Gulu Night at 7:00 pm, at the University of Richmond Stadium. The Kickers will be collecting new and gently used soccer and sports equipment to benefit the children of Northern Uganda. Visit RichmondKickers.com for more information.

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