Crew down Battery 3-1

Report and Photos by Mike Buytas, a-league.com Match Reporter

24.Mar.2004
No coach likes to lose. And from what I know of Charleston's Coach Chris Ramsey, he likes losing less than most.

But Ramsey has to be proud of how the team has progressed in 10 short days, playing two MLS teams and for spells of the match, looking better than their competitors.

The Battery got off to a good start against the Crew and arguably should have taken the lead around the 7th min. when Paul Conway pulled a ball back from the end line to find Greg Simmonds, who was then taken down in the box. Penalty kick said the referee. Offside said the linesmen. I'm still trying to figure out if Simmonds was inside the goal when Conway sent the ball in.

But the Battery where rewarded in the 12 minute when Paul Conway scored his second goal of the Carolina Challenge Cup. A goal similar to his first of the tournament, Conway pounced on a ball inside the six-yard box to beat Crew keeper Jon Busch.

Two minutes later Danish defender Hendrik Jensen came off the pitch limping and on came a surprise for most, South African Ivan McKinley, obviously a new Battery signing. And in another surprise he was wearing Josh Henderson's number, #14, leaving little doubt as to Josh's future role here at the Battery.

Five minutes after the Battery goal the Crew's Ross Paule scored off a one time volley from Steve Herdsmann leveling the score at 1-1.

Both sides had good chance with Conway almost breaking in behind the crew defense, sending the ball just wide once and a rocket from 20 yards out off the crossbar, but the half end tied at 1-1.

The second half started like the first half end; fairly equal. But fitness seem to catch up with the Battery around the 60th minute and the Battery midfield looked to lose its step, with several poor or errant passes.

The Crew took advantage in the 65th minute with two goals within five minutes, as Frankie Heyduk scored from a Kyle Martino header and Chad Marshall scored from a Simon Elliott corner.

The Battery had few chance the remainder of the match and the game ended 3-1.

By Ramsey's own admission, the Battery where trying something new in the midfield and at times Ramsey thought it worked well. It may have worked even better if not for an off night for Chris Goos and lack of match fitness for Ted Chronopolous.

Over all Ramsey should be proud of how the team has progressed and played against two MLS teams. There is still over three weeks to work things out and from what was seen on Saturday and Wednesday nights, things look good.

More photos of the Carolina Challenge Cup can be seen here: http://www.ussocceruk.com/USsoccerUK_Forum/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=36