Disappointing.
That seems to be the word of the past month as far as the Charleston Battery goes. What is normally a stingy defense has given up seven goals in three matches. Including the two in the 2-2 draw against Atlanta at Blackbaud Stadium on Saturday night in front 3,691 souls.
With an revolving injury list that saw Paul Conway, Ivan McKinley, Nigel Henry, Chris Goos and Alexsey Korol all on the side lines, and Ted Chronopolous, Mark Watson and Greg Simmonds all playing with knocks, they may feel fortunate to get out of the match with a draw.
The match started out fairly even and without many surprises. Velko Iotov came to the sidelines in the third minute for what looked like a cramp in his calf. A couple minutes later he was replaced by Gary Brooks. The Battery just edge the play in the first half but it was ex-Battery Mac Cozier that found the back of the net first in the 43rd minute. After being whipped in from the left side, the ball bounced around and spent far to long in the Battery's box before Cozier poked it in. Disappointing.
The Battery came out in the second half with a bit more fire and scored six minutes in. Kevin Jackson crossed a ball from the left side over the top of the box to find Ted Chronopolous. Teddy headed the ball over Anthony Tokpah into the far corner of the net. Game tied at 1-1.
The Battery pushed for the win and had a couple chances with new signing Wolde Harris and Greg Simmonds. But it Was Simmonds who scored in the 62 minute with his shot from just out the box. Simmonds received the ball from Kevin Jackson swiveled and hit a rocket that hit the top of the cross bar and bounced into the goal. 2-1 for the Battery.
But disappointment set in again less than ten minutes later as Mac Cozier scored his second. Dusty Hudock made a fantastic save as Cozier broke through the Battery defense but he could control the powerful shot that rebounded perfectly for Cozier who calmly tapped it in.
Neither team looked very threatening throughout the two over time periods and the match ended up 2-2.
The Battery now only have eight points from six matches which is disappointing for everyone. This week's two game road trip to newcomers and current whipping boys Puerto Rico should bring a pair of wins. Anything else would be disappointing.
