The Wildcats finally arrived home after a three game road trip left them 1-2 to start the season and 0-2 in their US Open Cup Qualifying Group. Only a victory against struggling Raleigh saved them from a repeat of their 0-3 start from last season.
Hershey opened the match with solid possession and midfield control. The Wildcats had an opportunity in front of the Boston goal early when the Bulldogs failed on three attempts to clear the ball from the box. No one, however, was able to get a solid touch to put the ball in the net.
Hershey's good work would pay off in the 12th minute when Kyle Swords crossed in from the right flank and Simmonds gently headed the ball into the path of Jamel Mitchell. Mitchell made no mistake and hammered it home for a 1-0 lead.
Following the opening goal, Boston became somewhat more determined. They fought for possession and control of the midfield. Boston's hard work nearly paid off as Will Kohler struck high over the bar. Ebbie Kodiat made a marvelous run into the box, beating the last defender. However, his poor finishing left an excellent chance begging.
Ray Goodlett went down with an injury late in the first half and Lilley elected to play with 10 men for several minutes while waiting to see if Goodlett would be able to return. Boston seized upon this opportunity to move into Hershey's half and attack the goal. Hershey at this point was content with booting the ball into midfield and allowing Boston to return for another attack.
This was Hershey at its weakest. While they were playing at a disadvantage, even the goalkeeper LaBerge decided to blast the ball long rather than pass off to Chris Penny to start an attack. The Cats clearly had the better of the midfield play and allowed Boston the opportunity to try to equalize before the half.
In the 36th minute, it was decided that Goodlett would not return and Ze Roberto came in for him, which pushed Steve Klein into defense. Ze Roberto would immediately take a strong shot on goal that was saved by the keeper. Indeed, his entrance would give Hershey the added offensive steam as the first half wore down.
Hershey would maintain strong possession in the second half. Ze Roberto should have extended the lead in the 56th as he took a pass about 4 yards from goal but his shot was blocked in the goal by defender Sam Franklin.
Hershey would extend the lead in the 61st as Mitchell dribbled around the keeper and saw his effort blocked. However, Simmonds took the deflection and passed in to Colosante who headed the ball right in Mitchell's path. Mitchell headed it home and atoned for not doing better with his earlier opportunity.
Ebbie Kodiat's hard work finally paid off one minute later off the restart. In the 63rd minute, he made an excellent run into the box and curled a shot around LaBerge's arms.
However, this would be Boston's last stand. More poor clearing on defense would give Hershey plenty of opportunities to continue their attack. This led to some acts of frustration by the Bulldogs. Keeper Russell Payne would receive a yellow card in the 71st minute for arguing with the referee over a possible Mitchell handball.
Mike Feniger would finish off the day's scoring in the 74th off a Matthew Ford free kick. Hershey received the kick after Paul Brooks pulled Simmonds down while he turned to bring the ball forward.
Hershey would maintain possession for the remainder of the game and nearly scored again off a Matthew Ford header, which rocked the woodwork.
The referee did a competent job by being relatively anonymous. The game was not terribly rough and did not require his attention. His most glaring error was in the 90th minute when he sent off Boston's Neil Ryan who pulled Simmonds down just outside the box. It was blatant but not terribly vicious and a yellow card was all that was warranted.
The Wildcats played a competent match today and could have had more. Mitchell is clearly the MoM. He worked hard on offense, tracked back on defense and still had time to hammer home two scores. The team will need to stay focused and keep control of possession rather than allowing the temptation of the long ball to take over. Simmonds also had a good game with on assist. He could have had a score of his own in stoppage time but only leisurely ran onto a thru-ball and allowed the Boston defense to catch up and push it out for a corner.
Attendance was 1,641 for the Mothers Day opener.
