While the panhandle of Florida braces for Hurricane Dennis, the Richmond Kickers had their own storm brewing at DeKalb Memorial Stadium last night, and forward Kevin Jeffrey was the force that landed the Atlanta Silverbacks a third straight loss in a game that was played in the second half with torrential rain. Lightning also played a part, delaying the second half for about 25 minutes, but by time play resumed, the damage was done.
In a first half both teams had their chances to score. Richmond had the first opportunity in the 11th but midfielder Tony Williams' blast from about 20 yards out went wide left. In the 18th, a nice combination play that started with Jeffrey from the top of the Silverbacks penalty area hit a through pass to the left side where Michael Burke hit a first time cross to the other side of the goal, to an onrushing McColm Cephas, who's volley was high over the goal.
The Backs had two great opportunities themselves in the first half. The first was off a corner kick to forward Gary Brooks, but he too sent the shot just over the goal.
The other, which would have been a game film highlight, was by midfielder David Hayes, who ran onto a long ball and hit a full volley shot from 22 yards out at the left of the Kickers penalty area, but goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale made a spectacular backwards diving save, just tipping the ball over the goal.
At the start of the second half, after very strong winds, the storm finally hit. Rain fell hard, sending many fans running for cover, except for the true diehards, who saw Jeffrey make his mark in the 47th. >From just left of the arch at the top of the penalty area, Jeffrey hit a low, bouncing shot to the right far corner. A diving keeper Christian Fegler, who was back in action after missing the previous 4 games due to a concussion, had the shot covered, but an unlucky skip of the ball on the wet palying surface, went over him to give Richmond a 1-0 lead.
Then in the 61, midfielder Tim Brown found Jeffrey in a triangle of Back defenders, who chest trapped the ball down and slipped a low shot past Fegler's left into the back of the goal for a 2-0 lead.
Before lightning would suspend play, the Silverbacks put one on the scoreboard off a Hayes' corner kick that defender Adilson DeLima outjumped the Richmond defense to put the header in the net. After the delay, and watching their momentum regress in the locker room, the Backs could not find the equalizer in yet another downpour of rain.
The loss put the Silverbacks at 5-8-3 and eighth place in the USL Division 1 standings. Richmond upped their record to 10-5-2 and hanging onto first place with a hot undefeated Montreal Impact right on their trail.
The Silverbacks next game is Wednesday night at home as they start US Open Cup play against a surprising Des Moines Menace of the PDL League. Kickoff is at 8pm.
Line-ups:
RIC-Pascale, Bobo, Fox, Knight, Luzak, Brown, Burke(Carrieri), T.Williams(Gorres), R.Williams(Hare), Cephas(Delicate), Jeffrey(Ssejjemba)
ATL-Fegler, Chevalier, DeLima, Mattison(Peoples), Plute(Iniguez), Dawkins(Murriagui), da la Torre, Hayes, Rios, Brooks(Millwood), Pineda-Chacon
Cautions:
RIC-R.Williams(78)
ATL-Rios(3), Chevalier(34)
