Harada goal and strong team performance again gives Dayton a well deserved point on the road
Saturday, August 16, 2014, Dayton OHIO - The Dayton Dutch Lions FC (6-15-3) traveled to play the second place Richmond Kickers (13-1-9) on Saturday night. Coming off four points last weekend, the Lions were hopeful going into tonight’s game. The match would prove to be a well played game from start to finish and would end in a one to one tie as both teams would earn goals off free kicks just outside their opponent’s box.
In front of 3,500 fans, the Richmond Kickers came out strong the first half needing the three points in the hunt for a good play-off position and keep the home advantage if they finish 2nd. They created a few chances especially looking for veteran Delicate as strong target man and Spitz as runner on the left side. The biggest ones were in the ninth minute when Williams came up big twice, blocking a shot from Spitz from and then Delicate from close range. Dayton tried to play their own game building up from the back with Harada and Wiet patiently looking for a very solid Granger and Thuriere in the midfield and especially Bowlin overlapping on the right side. That resulted in an even game with Richmond having a little more threat up front and Dayton's front line (with Karamba making his first start next to Broekhuizen), despite working hard, having trouble to keep the ball against a strong (2nd lowest goals against in the League) Richmond defense. However, the last minutes of the balanced first half showed three good chances. Spitz cut inside for Richmond on the left and the ball was put back to George Davis IV. The former Dayton Dutch Lions FC player shot the ball hard towards the right low corner but the ball hit the post. In the counterattack Thuriere had an open shot from the penalty box but his shot missed the Richmond goal by inches. Vickers also had a good shot from the top right corner but his well placed ball went just over the crossbar.
The second half would see both teams pushing for a goal to take the lead. Richmond would strike first in the 51st minute earning a free kick just outside the box, when the referee called a foul from Granger on George Davis IV. George Davis IV would step up and rip the ball into the top right corner leaving Dayton’s keeper Williams with no chance for a save. Dayton would continue to play tough though, and would take back possession, looking for an equalizer and again, like the previous games, the subs coming in gave the Lions a much needed sparkle. Clemens came in strong again and newcomer Camacho showed immediately his skills distributing balls in the midfield making it possible for the Lions to keep more possession in the final third of the field. Detelj also came in and in the 80th minute Dayton would earn a free kick just outside of the box, when Thuriere had a strong run through the midfield and was taken down 20 years from goal. Shintaro Harada would step up and placed the ball on the left side of the wall into the low left corner into the back of Richmond’s net for the equalizer: 1-1. But both teams wanted the three points resulting in an exciting last 10 minutes with Richmond creating an open chance for Hanley. In the same minute Clemens dribbled passed two opponents and took a shot from just outside the box but the ball just missed the goal. The game would end in a hard fought 1-1. Despite still being in last place (since Arizona won), the Lions are 6-5-2 on the road making the Lions the number 1 team in the current standings in away games for now and unbeaten for the last three games (all on the road).
Dayton’s Coach Matthew Weston had this to say about the game. “To come to Richmond and show the belief we did tonight, we should be extremely proud of ourselves. After going behind again, we showed the desire to comeback and what pleased me most was the manner in which we responded. We got the ball down and played. We trusted in the system, our new philosophy and ultimately we felt we got what we deserved. With fifteen to go, it was end to end and could quite easily have turned into three points. Now we get ready to come home next week and put on a performance for the DDL fans. Special mention to Matt Williams who was outstanding in goal and Matt Wiet whose quality shone through tonight!"
The Dayton Dutch Lions FC (6-15-4) return home to DOC Stadium to play the Colorado Rapid Reserves on Saturday, August 23rd at 7:00pm. Dayton is on the road again Sunday, August 31st when they play Orlando City (15-2-4) at 7:30pm. The Dutch Lions play their last game of the 2014 season at home on Friday, September 5th at 3:30pm against the Wilmington Hammerheads FC (6-6-8). For season and individual game tickets, visit the Dutch Lions website.
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Chris Burke, Media Relations: c.burke@ddlfc.com
Photo Credit:
Dayton Dutch Lions FC-Richmond Kickers 1-1
51’ Davis IV 0-1
80’ Harada 1-1
Dayton Dutch Lions FC: Williams, Bowlin, Wiet, Sweat, Granger, Harada, Thuriere, Broekhuizen (Clemens), Walker (Camacho), Vickers, Janneh (Detelj)
Richmond Kickers: Taylor, Gorres, Yomby, Johnson, Lee, Roberts, Asante, Yeisley, Davis IV, Spitz (Hanley), Delicate (Hall)