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Kickers clinch first round playoff bye with two wins this weekend

2 Aug, 2008

The Richmond Kickers clinched a bye to the USL-2 Semifinals with a 3-2 win in Wilmington, following a 2-1 home victory one night prior. The Kickers conclude regular season action next Saturday, August 9th, hosting Crystal Palace Baltimore at 7:00 pm.

Kickers Forward David Bulow opened scoring tonight minutes before the first half ended but Wilmington Hammerheads forward Brian Cvilikas leveled the score midway through the second 45.  A flurry of goals within the last five minutes of the match saw the Kickers end up on top of a back-and-forth affair. 

Newcomer Fabian Dawkins connected in the 86th minute while Wilmington forward Jeff Rowland found the equalizer in the final minute of regulation.  Dawkins struck again during stoppage time to steal the three points necessary for a first round bye in the USL-2 playoffs.  The Kickers will host their Semifinal match on Saturday, August 16th at 7:00 pm at the University of Richmond Stadium.
 
As the Hammerheads battled for playoff contention, and the Kickers attempted to hang on to second place, neither side could capitalize during the majority of the first half and it was not until the 44th minute that the Kickers could steal the advantage.  Midfielder Stanley Nyazamba delivered a corner kick into the box, finding Bulow in the air.  The Kickers leading scorer headed the ball to the far post and into the back of the net to put the visiting team up 1-0 before the break.
 
The Hammerheads nearly leveled the score in the 67th minute when Cvilikas fired a rocket off the post.  A scramble for the rebound resulted inside the box but again Wilmington was denied by the woodwork.
 
The unrelenting Hammerheads attack led to the equalizer in the 73rd minute when midfielder Chris Murray received the ball after a throw in and crossed a driven ball into the box.  A well-positioned Cvilikas struck a side-volley past the diving ‘keeper.
 
The Kickers reclaimed the lead in the 86th minute, bringing the scoreline to 2-1 with just four minutes from full-time.  Defender Evan Harding played a long ball forward to an on-rushing Dawkins deep on the wing.  With a narrow angle to the goal, he struck from four yards and poked the ball over the line.  As the final seconds of regulation ticked by, Rowland brought the score to an even 2-2, connecting on a Cvilikas cross.  
 
With the score destined to remain tied, Dawkins struck again during injury time to steal another three points from the Hammerheads.  Assisting on his second game-winning goal in as many games, midfielder Sascha Gorres received the ball on the left side and played it over the defense, finding Dawkins at the top of the box.  Unmarked at the 12-yard line, Dawkins took one touch and sent a determined ball into the net.  
 
Tonight’s win clinched a first round bye and a guaranteed home field advantage for the Semifinal round on Saturday, August 16th.  Although the opponent is to be determined, the match will take place at the University of Richmond Stadium at 7:00 pm.

-- Match Report --
 
Box Score            First Half         Second Half             Final
Wilmington                    0                      2                          2      
Richmond                     1                      2                          3
 
Scoring Summary
44th minute: Richmond: David Bulow (Stanley Nyazamba)
73rd minute: Wilmington: Brian Cvilikas (Chris Murray)
86th minute: Richmond: Fabian Dawkins (Evan Harding)
90th minute: Wilmington: Jeff Rowland (Brian Cvilikas)
90th minute: Richmond: Fabian Dawkins (Sascha Gorres)
 
Lineups
Hammerheads: GK John O’Hara, Jerritt Thayer, Dame Walters, Brandon Curran, Landy Mattison, Matt Avellino (Chris Murray – 56’), George Corrie, Josh Smith (Jeff Rowland – 70’), Jordie Hughes (Jyler Noviello – 61’), Jamie Holmes, Brian Cvilikas
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Trevor McEachron, Anthony Catalano, Sascha Gorres, Evan Harding, Luke Vercollone, Eliot Paschalis (Kevin Knight – 69’ (Ralph Pace – 79’)), Stanley Nyazamba, Ian Bennett (Mike Burke – 57’), David Bulow, Freddie Smith (Fabian Dawkins – 57’)
            
Cautions:
37th minute: Josh Smith (Wilmington)
57th minute: Jamie Holmes (Wilmington)
73rd minute: Brian Cvilikas (Wilmington)
84th minute: Ralph Pace (Richmond)
 
Ejections:
None.
 
Referee:  Daniel Fitzgerald

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