RICHMOND, VA. - Former Battery forward Mike Burke had an assist to help Richmond to a 2-1 victory over Charleston in the opening game of the A-League regular season on Saturday night.
Burke's assist set up Kevin Jeffrey's goal in the 14th minute, and Josh Henderson scored the game-winner in the 66th before 2,238 at University of Richmond City Stadium.
Charleston's goal was scored by Paul Conway in the 87th minute.
Richmond's win over its longtime rival and Central Conference cohort was good for three standings points.
The first chance of the game fell to Battery midfielder John Ball. Fellow midfielder Matt Farris swept a ball through the middle of the Kickers' defense. Ball ran through and latched onto the end of the pass. As Kickers keeper Mike McGinty came out to meet him, he chipped the ball harmlessly over the top of the goal.
In the 13th minute, against the run of play, Richmond took the lead. Burke, playing in the midfield, got free behind the Battery defense on the near side. He sent a perfect ball across the middle, presenting an easy tap-in for striker Kevin Jeffery and a 1-0 lead.
After the break, Richmond added a second goal as Henderson beat Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock from just inside the penalty area off an assist from Pau Lekics.
On the Battery's goal, forward Mac Cozier crossed the ball into the box and fellow front-runner Conway headed it off the crossbar before driving home his own rebound.
Charleston was outshot 18-16 and was stymied by McGinty's seven saves. Hudock came up with six saves.
Next week, the Battery plays on the road Saturday night against Charlotte. The Charlotte Eagles won the USL D3 Pro League championship last year to gain promotion to the second-division A-League.
The 7:30 p.m. match can be heard live on WTMZ (910-AM) and will also be webcast live at www.charlestonbattery.com.
Charleston 0 1-1
Richmond 1 1-2
Scoring summary: Rmd, Jeffrey 14th minute (Burke); Rmd, Henderson 66th (Lekics); Chs, Conway 88th (Cozier).
Shots: Rmd 18, Chs 16; Saves: Rmd, McGinty 7; Chs, Hudock 6; Fouls: Chs 20, Rmd 15; Offsides: Chs 3, Rmd 4; Corner Kicks: Chs 8, Rmd 6; Cautions: Chs, Wilson (89th minute); Rmd, Jeffrey (2nd), Williams (3rd); Etienne (84th). A-2,238.
