Battery share points with Pittsburgh after late drama

Goals from Zeiko Lewis and Nicque Daley saved a point for the Charleston Battery in a 2-2 draw with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Two goals inside the first fifteen minutes for the visitors looked a tough task for the Battery, but substitute Nicque Daley would earn a penalty on 76′ that was dispatched by Zeiko Lewis before a wonderful slaloming effort from Daley himself brought the scores level as the home side would earn a point.

The Battery didn’t start very well. In the early goings, the home side would give the ball away high up the pitch, and a Kenardo Forbes pass found the feet of Kevin Kerr, who picked his spot and put his side in front.

The game had hardly got going, but it was a tough one to take. And yet, it would get worse.

Just a few minutes later, on 12′, Ryan Jamees would find space on the left to play Kenardo Forbes in at the top of the box, who saw Joe Kuzminsky off his line and took a touch before chipping the ball over the ‘keeper for 2-0.

It was a tidy finish from Forbes, but a disastrous start for the Black and Yellow, who found themselves shell shocked so early in the game.

The rest of the first half would play out more evenly, though neither side had many clear cut chances after that. The opening minutes clearly took a toll on the Black and Yellow, who struggled to find a way into the game before the break.

The half time whistle came at the right time for the Battery, however, who quickly earned a succession of early second half corners, though none were forced on target.

Just after the hour mark, a good run from Jarad van Schaik would eventually find the feet of Zeiko Lewis, who put his shot from inside the top of the box over the bar.

Another Battery corner on 66′ would fall to the feet of Tah Brian Anunga, though he couldn’t keep his shot down, and the chance was gone.

And then, with just under quarter of an hour to go, Nicque Daley would earn a penalty after receiving a tidy backheeled pass from the right and was taken down by a defender in the box. The referee would point to the spot, and Zeiko Lewis would step up. The striker would go to his right, and the ‘keeper would guess correctly, but the effort had too much power behind it as the Black and Yellow would pull a goal back.

The Battery would earn a corner on 78′ in search of the equalizer, but the ball was cleared away.

But then, on 81′, Daley would be on the end of some crisp passing down the left before using his speed to cut in toward the byline before chipping the ball past the ‘keeper to equalize.

It was an excellent run, capped off by the wonderful finish, and the Battery found themselves level.

And with three minutes of normal time left, Zeiko Lewis created a great chance for more, using speed of his own to create space before his shot from inside the box was saved well by the ‘keeper, the rebound nearly falling to Daley, but he couldn’t quite control and the ball was cleared.

And that’s how it finished. The home side clearly didn’t start well, but will feel satisfied with the point gained after beginning so poorly.

The Battery next face St. Louis FC on May 11th. Kick off is scheduled for 7:30PM.

TOP IMAGE: NICQUE DALEY WINDS UP A SHOT AS THE BATTERY DRAW WITH PITTSBURGH. ROSS ALMERS PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO

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