HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Charleston Battery handed the Harrisburg City Islanders their first league defeat at Skyline Sports Complex this season as Dane Kelly scored twice in a 4-0 win on Wednesday night. The win gave the Battery a season-sweep of the City Islanders.
As in the last meeting between the sides, Charleston scored early and often against the City Islanders. It only took two minutes for Dane Kelly, Charleston’s leading scorer, to once again find the back of the net against the Islanders.
The Jamaican standout blasted his first goal past Nick Noble after receiving a cross on a rope from Ricky Garbanzo right at his feet. Kelly wouldn’t wait long to strike again, as he put away his eighth goal of theseason 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 goals this season against the City Islanders.
Harrisburg was able to bounce back with a few chances right at the end of the first half. A corner kick met the head of Ken Tribbett, but Battery goalkeeper 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 penalty area for its third goal of the half. Shawn Ferguson knocked a shot through the Islanders defense, slipping it by Noble, who was screened.
The first half ended on a bitter note with Islanders’ Jason Plumhoff being sent off on a red card, reducing Harrisburg to 10 men..
In the second half the Islanders started to pressure the Battery defense, but couldn’t keep it up with only nine outfield players. After Harrisburg got 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, and his first of the season.
The City Islanders will next face a key home-and-home series with fellow playoff hopeful the New York Red Bulls II. Harrisburg will visit Red Bull Arena this Sunday afternoon, with the second game set for Skyline Sports Complex the following Saturday, July 18, at 7 p.m. ET.
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