6/20/2009 11:17:32 PM
Charleston Battery Newsrelease
Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The Charleston Battery lost a second match in succession 1-0 at the hands of the Puerto Rico Islanders Saturday night at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in front of 2,315. Forward Nicholas Addlery headed past Battery goalkeeper Keith Wiggans midway through the second half to lift the Islanders to victory.
The loss for Charleston (6-2-6, 24 points) means that Puerto Rico (7-3-4, 25 points) will leap-frog Charleston into first place in the USL standings, the Battery drops into second position; the teams will square for a third time in eight days this Thursday night at Blackbaud Stadium.
Charleston attacked from the starting whistle and came close in only the 4th minute as wide midfielder Chris William whipped a cross in from the left. Forward Dan Antoniuk met the ball but his header dropped harmlessly to goalkeeper Bill Gaudette who gathered it at the far-post.
The Battery threatened again in the 11th minute after Tyler Hemming picked out forward Darren Spicer with a precise through-ball. Spicer accelerated to catch the pass but missed the ball with his left-footed shot allowing the Islanders to clear.
Puerto Rico came back at the Battery as the half wore on and came close from a set-piece in the 38th minute. Sand Gbandi swung a corner in from the right but an unmarked John Krause snapped his headed attempt wide of the goal.
In the 43rd minute the Islanders attacked again and forward Nick Addlery found space twenty-five yards out. As the Battery defenders closed him down Addlery fired a shot at the goal forcing Keith Wiggans down to his right to make the save.
Puerto Rico continued to enjoy the majority of the ball after the break and their endeavor was rewarded in the 55th minute after midfielder Fabrice Noel got around defender Nigel Marples on the left flank. Noel chipped a cross into the middle and Nicholas Addlery slammed his header past Keith Wiggans into the back of the goal.
Charleston had a chance to tie it at in stoppage time at the end of the match after substitute winger Scott Buete curled in an inviting cross from the left side. Substitute forward Tom Heinemann stretched to meet the ball but his headed attempted flashed just wide of the near post.
The Battery will have an immediate chance for redemption as both teams head to Blackbaud Stadium this Thursday night for an 8 PM fixture; the game will be broadcast live nationally on FOX Soccer Channel with fireworks to follow the game.
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