The Charleston Battery and Richmond Kickers drew on Wednesday night in their second meeting of the season, with both goals coming in the first half, thanks to a Ricky Garbanzo toe poke and a superb display and finish from Samuel Asante.
The Kickers would have the first chance of the evening after a quarter of an hour, when George Davis IV had a crack from outside the box, forcing Odisnel Cooper into a great save as the ball seemed destined for the top corner.
Five minutes later, Richmond keeper Brad Knighton would bobble a collected corner kick, but the Battery men in the box couldn’t capitalize on the error and the ‘keeper was able to collect easily.
The Battery thought they had the opening goal after 24 minutes. Navion Boyd had a shot from distance blocked out for a corner, which was lofted in to the back post, and headed down and eventually bundled in, but the linesman flagged for offside.
A bouncing ball from Obi Woodbine was cleared for a corner after 27, which was again lofted toward the back post. The ‘keeper flailed as he attempted to collect, and the ball fell to Shawn Ferguson, whose shot was surely destined for the back of the net, but Ricky Garbanzo made absolutely certain, poking the ball home on the far post, and the score was 1-0.
Just a few minutes later, Richmond thought they had the ball in themselves, putting the ball past Odisnel Cooper before the linesman signaled for offside.
Richmond seemed to be on the back foot, until a minute before half time, when Samuel Asante got the ball just beyond midfield, scything through the Battery defense, beating three players along the way and slotting the ball into the bottom corner past Cooper in the Battery goal.
The goal gave Richmond hope for the second half, the Kickers grateful for the piece of individual brilliance Samuel provided.
An early second half free kick was laid off for a shot from distance for the traveling side, but the shot failed to trouble Odisnel Cooper in goal.
Heviel Cordoves would have a half chance not too long after that, turning his man on the edge of the box, before taking a shot on the volley, but the effort went just wide.
In the 50th minute, Odisnel Cooper missed a punch while coming out for a cross, knocking the ball with the back of his hand, sending the ball on a dangerous path toward his own goal, but Battery center-half Taylor Meuller was able to get to the ball and clear.
A Richmond corner seven minutes later was much easier after a header from a corner was collected by the Cuban ‘keeper.
Just past the hour mark, Richmond could’ve had the go ahead goal, had it not been for a great double save from Cooper in the Battery goal. He was able to stay big and win a one-on-one on the edge of the box, and though the goal seemed to be gaping as the ball fell for a rebound on the right, the Battery ‘keeper was able to come across and close down the angle before eventually clearing the ball up field.
The clearance eventually led to a counter, which was spearheaded by Navion Boyd down the right flank. He turned on the afterburners, before shaping up to shoot, but the effort went just wide of the far post.
Three minutes later, Boyd was replaced by Zach Prince, as it became apparent the Battery were in need of some fresh legs.
Substitute Brian Ownby would have a go at goal from outside the box after 72 minutes, forcing yet another important save from the Battery ‘keeper.
Heviel Cordoves, who had chased most of the game around looking for service, was replaced by Sebastien Thurriere a minute later, which pressed Ricky Garbanzo further up the pitch.
Dante Marini then replaced Maikel Chang eight minutes from time, as, like Cordoves, he’d run himself into the ground.
Matt Delacate and Sascha Gorres replaced George Davis IV and Stephen Basso. Delacate was effective for the Kickers when the two teams faced in Richmond earlier in the season, and they were no doubt hoping the same would be the case here.
But it was the Battery who would have the final chance. It was unclear if a free kick was given for handball or a foul, but Jarad Van Schaik stepped up to take, but could only hit the wall. However, the ball squibbed out behind the wall, leading to a chance for Garbanzo, though he couldn’t seem to wrap his foot around it and the ball went safely into Brad Knighton’s hands.
The three minutes of stoppage time failed to yield a clear-cut opportunity for either side, and the match ended 1-1.
The Kickers next face FC Montreal this Saturday, June 13th, while the Battery next face Orlando City SC in the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup.
