Edward P. Dittmer (Hershey, PA)
After last week's performance, one could be forgiven for believing that Hershey's offense couldn't be any more anemic. However, fate dealt the Wildcats a cruel hand on Saturday. With Simmonds and Mitchell sitting out at the start of the game, presumably due to slight injuries, Bob Lilley had to go with reserve Eric Kvello and midfielder Steve Klein as his front men. It didn't help that Mike Henning and Drew Kopp would start on the bench rather than in defense. Kopp may still have been suffering lingering effects of his injury against Richmond, while Henning was suspended for his ejection against Richmond.
Unfortunately for Hershey, Steve Klein proved to be a forward without a forward's instincts. In some ways, he was still playing in the midfield although he started up front. Kvello proved to have few instincts for the game at all. The few chances that his team created for him went begging as his lack of speed did not allow him to capitalize.
For their part, Hampton Roads played a solid game. Seams Donnelly struck twice to give Hampton Roads all the security that they would need. The team overall controlled the ball and defended well thanks to their easy assignment of defending Kvello and Klein. The one concern, however, for Hampton Roads must be the play of forward Saul Martinez who wasted several opportunities in front of the goal in the first half.
The first half was a rather one-sided affair. Hershey attempted to compensate for their lack of attacking punch by sending wing back Chris Penny forward. The major effect of these runs, however, was to put pressure on the defense in the event of a counter-attack by Hampton Roads. Mike Williams was far too slow for the flat back four formation and would become a liability.
Hampton Roads has their first real chance in the 10th minute as Chris Scrofani made an excellent run, beating Mike Williams up the left side. His cross was aimed for Martinez and on target. However, Martinez, under pressure, was not able to make solid contact. His weak attempt appeared to hit the inside of the post and roll straight across the mouth of the goal before Hershey cleared it.
Martinez would have a chance to atone in the 12th minute as Jaymi Bailey sent an excellent cross, which Martinez would blast off the crossbar. It would have been a fantastic goal had he finished it off.
Meanwhile, Hershey's attacks were regularly snuffed out by the Mariners defense or by their own poor passing and execution. Ze Roberto seemed ill prepared for the task of running the offense this evening. He generally waited for passes to come to him rather than seeking out the ball to go forward. His low passes were off-target, and on long balls seemed unable to adjust for the lack of speed up front.
Martinez would again have chances in the 19th and the 23rd minutes, which he could not convert. Neither was an absolute sitter, but after so many chances, the Mariners should have had a lead.
Finally, Hampton Roads turned to Seamus Donnelly in the 38th minute, and it paid immediate dividends. Donnelley ran onto a long through ball from Jeff Dominguez, and was able to sneak it past LeBerge while being harassed by Ray Goodlett in the box.
Hershey would again waste an opportunity as Eric Kvello ran onto a through ball and was one on one with keeper Jon Busch. Inexplicably, he held the ball up, allowing a defender to catch up and kicked the ball weakly at his legs.
Off the counter attack, Seamus Donnelly would give Hampton Roads all the scoring they would need in the 48th. Both Donnelly and Mike LeBerge came out for a high ball into the box. Donnelly would make contact first and with the keeper out, the ball would bounce into the net for a 2-0 lead.
Hershey Coach Bob Lilley decided that he had enough in the 52nd and inserted Matthew Ford, Greg Simmonds, and Jamel Mitchell into the match, replacing Paul Byrne, Eric Kvello, and Tim Leonard. As it turned out, Jamel Mitchell and Greg Simmonds at 50% are better than anything else Hershey has on its bench at 100%. The complexion of the match changed immediately with Hershey taking on an attacking style, trying to score the equalizer.
The Hampton Roads defense, which had little to do all night, was now caught unprepared for the Hershey strike team. Simmonds would immediately have a chance in front of goal in the 55th off of a Ford cross, and Klein would hit the side netting in the 55th. Simmonds would have another chance in the 65th, which was called offside.
With only a few minutes, remaining, Hershey would make its final push for two late goals. Steve Klein could have done much better with his chance in the 84th as a passed rolled over a sliding defender and right into Klein's path. The midfielder blasted the ball, which was deflected away by Busch. Mitchell would have a chance in stoppage time as his header was just tipped over the bar by the keeper. However, off the ensuing corner, Jon Busch's dreams of a clean sheet would be erased as Ford's corner was put in by Ze Roberto for a consolation goal.
With the victory, Hampton Roads should win the Open Cup qualifying group based on goals scored as total points and head-to-head records are tied between the Kickers and the Mariners. The Wildcats are an embarrassing 2-4 and 1-2 at home. Hershey will also finish dead last in Eastern Conference Cup qualifying with an 0-4 record.
Tonight's match highlights Hershey's biggest problem, depth. If Mitchell and Simmonds don't play every minute of every game, Hershey's chances for the title appear to be slim. Bob Lilley will need to bolster his bench for the remainder of the season.
Attendance was not announced, however, actual attendance could not exceed 1,500, as the daylong rain would scare off most fans.
