Hartford Athletic could not bring themselves level with the first place team in the Eastern Conference after conceding early in the first half, falling to the Charleston Battery 1-0.
Charleston were in control in the early stages of the first half, taking the lead on a goal from Nick Markanich in the 11th minute. Chris Allan re-inserted a ball into the box off of a corner kick that bounced to Markanich, who leaped and delivered a left-footed bicycle kick into the top left corner of the net.
After giving up the early goal, Hartford did well to weather the storm and stay within striking distance going into halftime. They blocked three of Charleston’s next five shots, and the back line didn’t break on Charleston’s 13 more touches inside the box.
In the final minutes of the half, Hartford nearly equalized. Deshane Beckford flew into the attacking third and led the ball ahead to Michee Ngalina into the box. Ngalina fed a pass to an open Romario Wililams in the middle of the box, and the Jamaican striker one-timed his shot off the right post. It was Hartford’s best chance of the half, as the Green and Blue showed some life after a slow start and took to the locker room down just 1-0.
Charleston threatened again just three minutes into the second half. From outside the box, Markanich led the ball to Juan Torres as he ran into the box. Torres settled the ball with one touch and shot it hit off of the post, and Hartford cleared the ball.
Hartford began to create more positive play in the attacking third from the 55th minute and beyond. Marcus Epps put a shot on target and followed it with another shot just wide of the net. The Green and Blue continued to have better control over play, and nearly brought themselves level in stoppage time on multiple occasions. Anderson Asiedu worked a give-and-go into the box for Michee Ngalina, and Ngalina’s shot forced a quality save from Adam Grinwis. A few minutes later, Ngalina had a breakaway chance and his shot went just wide of the net after being challenged by a charging Grinwis. After nine minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle blew and Hartford fell 1-0.
Renan Ribeiro was reliable in his Athletic debut, allowing just the one goal and making five saves, including a diving stop in the 89th minute. Ngalina and Epps led Hartford’s attacking efforts, recording three shots apiece. Hartford drop to 3-4-0 with the loss.
Hartford Athletic will return to Trinity Health Stadium on Saturday, May 11th at 7:00 PM to face Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Fans can watch the game on MyTV9, ESPN+ or wtnh.com.
FAST STATS
Shots (On-Target): Hartford 9(4) Charleston 13(6)
Corners: Hartford 6 Charleston 5
Fouls: Hartford 9 Charleston 15
Offsides: Hartford 5 Charleston 2
Possession: Hartford 40.9% Charleston 59.1%
Passing Accuracy: Hartford 76.5% Charleston 86.3%
Saves: Hartford 5 Charleston 4
SCORING SUMMARY:
Charleston 11’ Markanich
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY:
Hartford:
19’ Hodge (Yellow)
40’ Beckford (Yellow)
48’ Chapman (Yellow)
Charleston:
36’ Dossantos (Yellow)
73’ Ycaza (Yellow)
HARTFORD ATHLETIC STARTING LINEUP
40 (GK) Renan Riberio, 5 (DF) Triston Hodge, 23 (DF) Thomas Vancaeyezeele, 4 (DF) Jordan Scarlett (Farrell, 65’); 29 (MF) Emmanuel Samadia, 94 (MF) Marlon Hairston (Asiedu, 69’); 8 (MF) Jay Chapman, 7 (MF) Marcus Epps (Shaul, 65’); 31 (MF) Deshane Beckford (Dieng, 78’); 9 (FW) Romario Williams (Buckmaster, 78’); 11 (FW) Michee Ngalina
CHARLESTON BATTERY STARTING LINEUP
1 (GK) Adam Grinwis, 62 (DF) Nathan Dossantos, 16 (DF) Graham Smith, 5 (DF) Leland Archer, 2 (DF) Mark Segbers, 4 (MF) Chris Allan, 6 (MF) Aaron Molloy, 80 (MF) Juan Torres (LaCava, 78’); 8 (MF) Emilio Ycaza (Crawford, 86’); 13 (FW) Nick Markanich (Drack, 90+8’); 9 (FW) MD Myers (Gutiérrez, 90+8)
