Dante Leverock and his Harrisburg City Islanders suffered their first league loss of the season on City Island in a 4-0 handling by the Charleston Battery.
From the opening kick-off it was a replay of the last meeting between these two teams. Charleston scored early and often against the Islanders. It only took three minutes for Dane Kelly, Charleston’s leading scorer, to once again find his form against the Islanders.
He blasted his first goal by Nick Noble after receiving a cross on a rope from Ricky Garbanzo right at his feet. Kelly wouldn’t wait long to strike again. Goal number two was off another poorly defended cross, which found Kelly wide open on the post to volley the shot into the back of the net. Kelly has scored five of his eight season goals against the Islanders.
Harrisburg was able to bounce back with a few chances right at the end of the half. A corner kick met the head of Ken Tribbett but Kevin Corby was there to make a reaction save. Union loanees Antoine Hoppenot and Jimmy McLaughlin kept the pressure on but failed to convert on any quality chances.
Charleston converted a free kick from just outside of the box for their third goal of the half. Shawn Ferguson knocked a shot through the Islanders defense, slipping it by Noble, who was being screened.
The first half ended on a bitter note with Islanders’ Jason Plumhoff being sent off on a red card.
In the second half the Islanders started to pressure the Battery defense but couldn’t keep it up with only nine men. After getting a few looks at goal from Jose Barril and Hoppenot the Battery had another great look at goal.
Kelly, once again, was involved in the goal. He set up Navion Boyd on a ball that slipped between three Islanders defenders. Boyd rifled a shot right over Noble’s left shoulder for the finally tally of the game.
It is the third loss this season against Charleston. Charleston has outscored City 10-1 in those three games. This was their last meeting of the regular season.
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