Kickers concede late goal for 1-1 draw with Charlotte

The Richmond Kickers narrowly missed the opportunity to shutout the Charlotte Eagles on Friday night, after taking an early lead and then conceding a late goal to finish 1-1 against their southern rivals.  Nearly 2,000 fans saw a battle in the midfield at the University of Richmond Stadium resulting in a low nine shots to three, in favor of the home side.  Kickers forward Matthew Delicâte connected on an Evan Harding long ball to put Richmond up 1-0 in the 16th minute.  Holding onto the lead for the majority of the match, the Eagles buried a free kick from 25 yards in the 84th minute to bring the scoreline level.  The Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium to host Military Appreciation Night and Crystal Palace Baltimore on Saturday, May 23rd at 7:00 p.m.
 
The match opened with little activity on either side of the field.  A battle in the midfield resulted in few chances for either team as the Kickers attempted two shots on the half while the Eagles were yet to find any opportunities.
 
The Kickers claimed an early lead on their first and only real chance of the night.  In the 16th minute, Harding’s long ball out of the back found Delicâte with his back to the goal, just outside of the penalty box.  Eluding two defenders, Delicâte faked left and turned right to slot a low ball to the near post, just out of Charlotte goalkeeper, Kevin Trapp’s reach.
 
Kickers midfielder Adrian Bumbut opened the second half with two dangerous chances.  In the 60th minute, he received a long ball over the top but fired a shot over the crossbar.  Four minutes later, his attempt found the same fate as midfielder Mike Burke carried the ball down the right wing and crossed it to Bumbut at the top of the box.  Creating space in the box with some tricky footwork, his next attempt sailed skyward.  Soon after, Burke received the ball at the top of the box but his low shot to the far post narrowly missed the target.
 
As the 77th minute mark approached, the Eagles drew a foul in a dangerous position, just a few yards outside the box.  Forward Jorge Herrera lined up the free kick and lobbed the ball into the box but Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale leapt to keep the Eagles off the scoreboard. 
 
Six minutes later, the Eagles were not to be denied a second time, earning another free kick 25 yards out.  Second-half substitute Diego Martins bent the ball over the defensive wall and just under the bar in the upper-90, leaving Pascale without a chance to make the save. 
 
With four minutes to spare, the Kickers retaliated when a shot by Burke was deflected wide for a corner kick.  Midfielder Ben Hunter delivered an in-swinger to the far post but it was cleared by an Eagles defender.  Richmond rookie defender Henry Kalungi sent the rebound back into the mix, finding Kelvin Jones in the air but his header fell just wide of the target.
 
The Kickers narrowly missed the chance to break the draw, seconds before the final whistle.  As stoppage time ticked on, Hunter collected a loose ball on the left side of the box.  He played the ball back to the top of the box, as an onrushing Joey Worthen dribbled by a defender but his right-footed shot narrowly glanced wide of the left post.  
 
Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with the Kickers when they host Crystal Palace Baltimore on May 23rd at 7:00 pm at UR Stadium.  All military personnel are admitted free with a valid photo ID to this match.
 
Box Score             First Half         Second Half             Final
Richmond                      1                      0                      1
Charlotte                       0                      1                      1
 
Scoring Summary
16th minute: Richmond: Matthew Delicâte (Evan Harding)
84th minute: Charlotte: Diego Martins
 
Lineups
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Evan Harding, Yomby William, Henry Kalungi, Kenny Cutler, Luke Vercollone (Ben Hunter – 87’), Adrian Bumbut (Kelvin Jones – 83’), Gerson dos Santos, Mike Burke, Joey Worthen, Matthew Delicâte (David Bulow – 56’)

Eagles: GK Kevin Trapp, Chris Lemons, Steve Shak, Josh Rife, Ben Johnson (Chris Klotz – 72’), Alex Woods (Luke Williams – 52’), Darren Toby, Jo Connor (Diego Martins – 65’), Taurai Daka (Jacob Coggins – 62’), Dustin Swinehart (Gus Bentos – 67’), Jorge Herrera
 
Cautions:
40th minute: Steve Shak (Charlotte)
90th minute: Jorge Herrera (Charlotte)
90th minute: Luke Williams (Charlotte)
 
Ejections:
None.
 
Referee:                                               Mark Gorak
Assistant Referees:                              Mike Andrews, Hagan Barnett
Fourth Official:                                     Steve Ankiel
Attendance:                                         1,842                           
Weather:                                              Warm, overcast, 86º
First Market Bank Man of the Match:   Yomby William