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The Charleston Battery made the long trip North this weekend to take on Toronto FC II at the Ontario Soccer Center.
Their last trip to Toronto saw the Battery fall 1-0, giving the Red their first home victory in the club's inaugural season in 2015.
The Battery made their way into Sunday night’s match coming of a crucial home win over Harrisburg, to snap a two game skid at MUSC Health Stadium.
On the other hand Toronto came into the matchup reeling, off two consecutive road losses to Cincinnati and Louisville, with several of the young Reds’ key players being called up to Toronto’s senior side.
Things got started under some very windy conditions at the Ontario Soccer Center, storm clouds looming in the distance, But luckily the rain and lightning would hold off.
Conditions seemed to favor the Battery early on, as they did a great job keeping the ball on the ground and work thier way patiently into the attacking third.
Though the Battery would dominate possession throughout the entirety of the opening half, outshooting their opponent seven to nothing, the young Toronto side looked very disciplined in dealing with the Battery attack.
Charleston’s best chance of the first half came in the 43rd minute, as Battery midfielder Ataullah Guerra made a good run to get by his marker, but Toronto’s Brian James put in a strong challenge to deflect the shot wide right.
The two teams would head into the break with the scoreline still goalless.
The second half would be more of the same as the Battery continued to control the match, with the inexperienced Reds scrambling to keep up.
In the 65th Battery veteran midfielder Zach Prince Nearly but the Battery ahead off a beautiful bending shot from about 5 yards outside the top of the penalty area. The shot came off the service by Forward Romario Williams, who showed off more than just his tremendous goal scoring ability against Toronto delivering some dangerous balls into his teammates.
As the match entered it’s final 15 minutes Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser brought on some fresh legs for the Battery, the change would prove to be the straw that would break the Red’s back, as Forward Ricky Garbanzo provided the spark needed for Charleston to finally find the net.
in the 80th min Garbanzo picked up the ball off the dump by Guerra at the top off the Penalty area, Garbanzo ripped a shot towards Toronto keeper Phil Dibernardo who made the save, but the deflection landed right at the feet of none other than “Super” Romario Williams who buried yet another game winning goal for the Battery.
MAN OF THE MATCH
ROMARIO WILLIAMS
The Jamaican forward scored his seventh goal of the season gave the Battery three points on the road in Toronto.
KEY TAKE AWAYS
DEFENSIVE LOCKDOWN
Keeper Alex Tambakis earned his second consecutive clean sheet, his fifth overall of the season. It wasn’t the busiest of nights for the Greek keeper as the Battery back four shut down the Toronto attack led by 16-year-old star Shaan Hundal, only allowing a handful of shots on the night.
CHEMISTRY IN THE ATTACK
The Battery rarely found itself outside of the attacking third, with some fantastic combo play between the midfield and forwards.
GETTING IT DONE ON THE ROAD
The Battery have won four consecutive road games, despite having struggled historically away from MUSC HEalth Stadium.
UP NEXT:
HOME vs Richmond, Saturday 7/2 @7:30 pm