Sleepy start costs Battery against Orlando

The Battery’s early mistakes cost them in a feisty affair on Saturday. 2 quick goals left the Battery in a hole before the home side got a Penalty after Tyler Turner was sent off for poking Ricky Garbanzo on the stroke of halftime.Despite throwing everything but the kitchen sink at them in the second half, OCB held on for the three points.

The Battery came out sleepy, and almost paid for it when an 11th minute free kick hit the bar for the visitors, and may have been a sign of things to come.

But on 13′, Romario Williams had an effort go wide after doing well to turn his man. The effort was decent, but unlucky to not go in

But the early mistakes would cost the Black and Yellow, as Michael Cox would get free and slot home to the far post past Odisnel Cooper.

On 23′, it was Forrest Lasso with a great challenge after Cox beat Taylor Mueller. The challenge was last ditch, as Cox would have been clean through.

And then, only a few minutes later, Emmanuel Adjetey almost put himself into a spot of bother, misclearing a ball which fell to an OCB player, but his shot went to the ‘keeper.

On 26’, Justin Portillo‘s shot from range was saved, but the Battery were coming into it more, and a goal looked like it was perhaps on the cards for the home side.

And ten minutes later was probably the Battery’s best chance of the first half, and certainly up until that point. Romario Williams got the ball played into him from deep and got to the byline before playing in a cross low, but nobody was there to tap home, and the ball was cleared.

But just when it looked like the Battery had turned the tide, the visitors doubled their tally, when a free kick was given to OCB on the right of the box, which was played in at the front post and headed past a helpless Odisnel Cooper who had come to claim and missed the ball. Things were looking bleak for the home side as we approached half time.

But then, deep into first half stoppage time, a challenge went into Ricky Garbanzo, who stayed down. Center back Tyler Turner wasn’t amused, however, and, without provocation, poked Garbanzo in the eye. The infringement was spotted by one of the referee’s assistants, and a penalty was given, with Turner dismissed, and the penalty that was given, was dispatched coolly by Justin Portillo.

So the Battery perhaps had a little momentum going into half time, with only a goal down, but a man up. So they would have to throw the kitchen sink at the OCB defense in the second half.

And they did so. Battery pressure led to a 51st minute cross by Portillo finding Forrest Lasso back post, but his headed effort went straight at the ‘keeper.

On 56’, Romario Williams could’ve put us level after getting free and firing toward goal, but his shot was tipped by ‘keeper Mark Ridgers onto the post and cleared away.

Then, a few minutes later, Ricky Garbanzo had curled an effort after some nice build up play from the hosts, but his shot would go high and wide, which would be his last action of the match, as Heviel Cordoves would replace him shortly after.

A cross from the right went back post with a quarter of an hour to go toward Mueller, but his header would be collected by the ‘keeper.

Williams got free in the box on the right with 10 minutes left, but his shot went over the bar as time began to run out for the home side.

The Battery even threw on more firepower with five minutes left, brining on Austin Savage, who replaced Forrest Lasso. Savage being a center forward or winger, and already having one game-winner to his name this season having snapped a three game winning streak against Harrisburg.

But it wasn’t to be, as a bit of a speculative effort by Maikel Chang went wide, and the Battery’s fate was soon sealed, despite being up a man, and the full time whistle blew.

It wasn’t for the want of trying, but the Battery’s poor start to the game cost them in the end. The next match is against Harrisburg on  June 18th at Home. Kick off is at 7:30.

The day was not a total loss, as the U.S. clinched their place in the Copa America Quarter Final, beating Paraguay 1-0, in a match that was on the newly-constructed jumbotron “Broadside” immediately following the Battery match.

TOP IMAGE: ROMARIO WILLIAMS AVOIDS A LAST DITCH CHALLENGE AGAINST AN OCB DEFENDER. ROSS ALMERS PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO