August 21st Toronto Lynx vs Richmond Kickers

[Rocket Robin]

Result of the Friday August 20th, 2004 A-League game between Toronto Lynx and Richmond Kickers played at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke at 7:30pm.

64 min...Kickers McColm Cephas GOAL...Kickers Clyde Simms runs up right wing on rush and crosses to Cephas who taps in to open net from 5 yards on 2 on 1 with goalie Bryheem Hancock having to play Simms.

Final Score:......Toronto Lynx.........0...........Richmond Kickers.............1........

Attendance was announced as 1828 on this cool evening.

Lynx played the game mostly in a 4-5-1 formation with Ali Gerba as the lone striker. David DiPlacido was written in as the second forward on the team sheets although his name had been scratched out as substitute so this must have been a last minute change. Charles Gbeke came in as a second striker at the 56 minute mark. Both teams used four defenders in their backfield which is somewhat unusual in this league. Edmilson came in for the last 20 minutes of the game. The new Brazilians never seem to see more than 45 minutes of the games even when listed as starters.

This was actually a dull game with neither team having more than about half a dozen shots on net. Kickers goalie Ronnie Pascale earned the shutout with nothing more than routine stops to make. Richmond's win should flip them over Montreal Impact to first in the standings in the Eastern Conference from looking at Wednesday's league tables.

Lynx co-owner Bruno Hartrell confirmed that the CPSL Hamilton Thunder players will go back with that team at the end of the month (for their run at the CPSL playoffs). The Thunder may bring over some Lynx players as part of the understanding between the two teams.

Rocket Robin

robing@eol.ca

[Rocket Robin]

Lynx media report:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO LYNX GAME REPORT

presented by Heineken

Kickers Shut Out Lynx

Richmond Remains in Hunt for Top Spot in the Conference

Date: Saturday, August 21, 2004

Venue: Centennial Park Stadium, Etobicoke, Ontario

Attendance: 1,828

Kick off Time: 7:30 PM

Final Score: Richmond 1 Toronto 0

Match Summary:

Celebrating their annual Multicultural Night at Centennial Park Stadium, the Toronto Lynx set their sights on the playoff-bound Richmond Kickers. 1,828 enthusiastic fans were treated to the sultry sounds of Coro Folkloristico Italia di Toronto prior to game time and the enticing Grupo Chile during the halftime. The Kickers entered tonight's match trailing the Montreal Impact by 2 points for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. On the flip side the Lynx are looking to play the spoiler and are coming off an emotional overtime victory over Virginia Beach. Both teams opened the half with crisp passing and stifling defense. Toronto's best opportunity of the half came in the 14th minute when star striker Ali Gerba hammered a ball from the inside the box that rang off the right post. Richmond returned the favour minutes later when Chris Fox slid a pass to Clyde Simms streaking down the right side of the box but his right footer just missed the left post, scoreless after the first 45 minutes.

The second half saw the Kickers start to assert themselves offensively with striker Kevin Jeffrey spearheading the charge. In the 55th minute Jeffrey sent a cross that was first headed by Matt Bobo and then off the head of McColm Cephas before going wide of the goal. In the 62nd minute Jeffrey rifled a free kick from the top of the box just over the crossbar. His hard work was rewarded minutes later when he faked a shot and delivered a perfect ball to a wide open McColm Cephas for the easy tap in, 1-nil Richmond. The Lynx had an opportunity to tie the match in the 78th minute when Charles Gbeke sent a lovely ball between two defenders and onto the foot of David DiPlacido but he couldn't find the mark against Ronnie Pascale. The Kickers went into a defensive shell for the remainder of the match getting another chance to increase their lead when Jeffrey displayed excellent ball control before his shot was stopped by a diving Bryheem Hancock, making the final 1-nil for the Kickers. With the victory Richmond improves to 16-8-3 and pulls one point clear of Montreal atop the Eastern Conference. The Lynx fall to 9-15-1 on the season and are in action again Thursday, August 26 at 7:30pm against the Edmonton FC on Fan Appreciation Night and the final home game of the 2004 season. The match will also feature the Lynx annual player awards and game-worn jersey silent auction.

Highlights:

1st Half

14th min: Ali Gerba launched a ball from inside the penalty area but rang it off the right post

18th min: Chris Fox slid a pass to Clyde Simms on the right side of the box but his hard shot just missed the left post

28th min: Darren Baxter with the free kick from 20 yards outside the left box sent a cross that Gerba headed towards the net but it was handled nicely by Keeper Ronnie Pascale.

2nd Half

54th min: Josue Mayard hustled back to foil a 2-on-1 opportunity by the Kickers.

55th min: Kevin Jeffrey with a cross off the head of Matt Bobo, off the head of McColm Cephas and just wide of the goal.

62nd min: Kevin Jeffrey free kick from the top of the penalty area launched just over the crossbar.

65th min: Jeffrey working of the right side of the box faked a shot and sent a lovely ball to a wide open McColm Cephas for the easy tap in, 1-0 Richmond.

75th min: Charles Gbeke delivered a perfect ball between 2 defenders onto the foot of David DiPlacido but he couldn't beat Ronnie Pascale.

87th min: Jeffrey with a fine display of ball control got off a shot that was stopped by a diving Bryheem Hancock.

Final Score: Richmond 1 Toronto 0

Lineups:

Richmond: Pascale, Luzak, Knight, Fox, Williams, Simms, Williams R., Bobo, Cephas, Jeffrey, Worthen

Toronto: Hancock, Arango (Munthali, 83rd min), Blois, Mattacchione, Faria, Bartolomeu (DeCarvalho, 72nd min), O'Connor (Mayard, 50th min), Dodds (Gbeke, 57th min), Baxter, DiPlacido, Gerba

Cautions: Rich: Fox (86th min) Tor: DiPlacido (58th min)

Ejections: None

Shots: Rich: 7 Tor: 7

Saves: Rich: 3 Tor: 2

Fouls: Rich: 13 Tor: 15

Scorers: Rich: Cephas (65th minute)

The Lynx next home game is Thursday, August 26th at 7:30 pm versus the Edmonton FC.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

DAVID NUTT, MEDIA RELATIONS

416-251-4625 ext. 30

[Polish_LYNX_Fan]

Well for those @ the game what do you think about one of the LYNX legends who appeared @ the game??? He talked to the owner (contract maybe) would be great to see him back

His name Theo Z (no no wait thats to easy)

Zagar T