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The Charleston Battery snapped a two game home losing streak with a much needed win over Harrisburg Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium.
The Battery dropped their second straight home game last week in a disappointing 2-1 loss to a shorthanded Orlando City B side, who spent the entire second half down a man.
The night got off to a slow start for the Battery with the City Islanders’ attack keeping the Battery on thier heels early in the first half.
The Islander’s attack would find the first chance of the match in the 15th minute off a nice build up. McLaw would put the cross in for Harrisburg finding Jose Barril, But Barril’s shot found only the sure hands of keeper, and Atlanta signee, Alex Tambakis who had a great night in goal for the Battery.
The two clubs would exchange possession evenly for the remainder of the half.
The Battery nearly took the lead in the 35th minute, off a wide open shot by midfielder Ataullah Guerra, but the Trinidad and Tobago international’s shot sailed high over the crossbar.
Charleston’s attack would turn up the heat in closing moments of the half but the score would remain goalless as the players headed into the locker room for the half.
The Battery would continue to turn the screws on the Islander’s defense, bringing on three sets of fresh legs up top in Neveal Hackshaw, Ricky Garbanzo, and Romario Williams.
The change would provide a spark for the Battery, with quality combination play between Portillo and Hackshaw at midfield, and Garbanzo and Williams at forward, sending Harrisburg scrambling to keep up.
In the 82nd the Battery would finally drive a dagger through the heart of an Islander’s side that was struggling to stay in the match.
Ricky Garbanzo would draw a foul in the box after being taken down by the toe tackle by Harrisburg keeper Nick Noble.
Justin Portillo stepped up per usual to take the PK for Charleston, burying it into the left corner to seal a much needed three points for the Battery.
With the win Charleston remains in the 4th spot in the Eastern Conference just behind FC Cincinnati.
MAN OF THE MATCH
JUSTIN PORTILLO
The former Coastal Carolina midfielder put in a fantastic performance for the Battery, converting the winning PK.
KEY TAKE AWAYS
NO MORE KICK AND RUN!
The Battery utilized some fantastic combination play at midfield, finding quality passes in possession and abandoning the longball that Battery supporters have become far too accustomed to seeing from the boys in Black and Yellow.
TAMBAKIS
The future Atlanta United keeper put in another night of solid work between the sticks for Charleston. Tambakis will likely get the start again for the Battery in Toronto, with Cuban defector Odisnel Cooper unable to travel to Canada.
UP NEXT:
@ Toronto, Sunday 6/26 @ 7:00