April 30 - Richmond vs. Toronto [R]

[DJT]

Richmond Kickers (2-0-1) vs. Toronto Lynx (0-1-1)

No Webcast for this one but someone is providing updates at usldiscussions.com.

1-1 at halftime. Toronto scored first, Richmond tied it 2 minutes later.

[DJT]

Richmond scored a few minutes into the second half. 2-1.

[DJT]

Final:

Richmond 2  Toronto 1

27' TOR Ali Gerba

28' RIC Joey Worthen

48' RIC Matthew Delicate

Official USL match report

[DJT]

From the Richmond Kickers:

Richmond Tops Toronto

Kickers Finish 2-1 Over Lynx

GAME SUMMARY

Saturday, April 30, 2005 – University of Richmond Stadium, Richmond, VA

Toronto Lynx 1 (Gerba 27)

Richmond Kickers 2 (Worthen 28, Delicate 48)

Richmond, VA - (Saturday, April 30, 2005) – The Richmond Kickers (3-1-0, 9 points) were able to pull away from the Toronto Lynx (0-2-1, 1 point) tonight, finishing with a 2-1 victory in front of a crowd of 2,452. Lynx forward Ali Gerba tallied Toronto’s first goal of the season and the first goal of the night midway through the first half. The goal was avenged less than a minute later by Kickers midfielder Joey Worthen and the 1-1 draw was broken in the first two minutes of the second half by Kickers forward Matthew Delicâte, recording his fourth goal in four games.

The Kickers began tonight’s match quickly with several long passes and fast attacks while Toronto played dangerously the duration of the game. The first scoring attempt occurred in the 7th minute when Richmond midfielder Chris Carrieri challenged Toronto defender Josue Mayard until Mayard was able to drive the ball out of bounds for the Kickers first corner kick of the night. Soon after, in the 15th minute, Richmond midfielder Tim Brown sent a powerful shot from just outside the box that sailed over the crossbar. Seconds later, Carrieri, in dangerous scoring position, took a right-footed shot on goal only to be stopped by Toronto goalkeeper Theo Zagar with a heroic foot-save. The match did not remain scoreless for long as Toronto tallied their first goal of the season in the 27th minute. Gerba took advantage of a miscommunication between the Kickers back line and goalkeeper and sent a header into the open net. Richmond defender Peter Luzak made a valiant effort to clear the ball from the line but it was able to sneak past him for the first goal of the night. Toronto was only able to keep the lead for thirty-seconds as Richmond tied the score right off the restart, less than a minute after the Lynx goal. Taking a pass from forward Kevin Jeffrey around midfield, Worthen carried the ball out wide and shot from 15 yards to the far side of the goal, past an unsuspecting Zagar. Looking to take the lead, a dangerous Toronto corner ventured into the box in the 37th minute but was punched away by Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale. The Lynx attempted to send the ball back into the net off the rebound but the play was ended with another save by Pascale.

The 1-1 tie was soon broken at the beginning of the second half when Delicâte recorded his fourth goal of the season. Two minutes into the second half, Brown played a through ball to Delicâte who continued into the box, split two defenders and took a shot from 17 yards to the left of Zagar and into the corner for the Kickers second and final goal of the match. Over the next 10 minutes, Kickers rookie forward Robert Ssejjemba created several dangerous plays including in the 50th minute, when Ssejjemba found himself one-on-one with Zagar, who was able to push the ball out of scoring position. Then, in the 55th minute, Ssejjemba sent a forceful shot just over the crossbar, followed by a dangerous attempt in the 60th minute that was cleared by Lynx defender and former Kickers player Rumba Munthali. Soon after, in the 62nd minute, Gerba sent a cross into scoring position and into a cluster of defenders but the ball sailed just wide of the goal. As the game came to an end, Toronto forward Dave Simpson sent a high but well-positioned shot over the crossbar from 10 yards followed by a header by Gerba in the 85th minute straight into Pascale’s arms.

Box Score: First Half - Second Half - Final

Toronto 1 - 0 - 1

Richmond 1 - 1 - 2

Scoring Summary

27th minute - Toronto: Ali Gerba

28th minute – Richmond: Joey Worthen (Kevin Jeffrey)

48th minute – Richmond: Matthew Delicate (Tim Brown)

Lineups

Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Kevin Knight, Matt Bobo, Chris Fox, Peter Luzak, Tim Brown, Richie Williams, Chris Carrieri (Mike Burke – 80th minute), Kevin Jeffrey (Robert Ssejjemba – 43rd minute), Joey Worthen (Sascha Gorres – 45th minute), Matthew Delicate (McColm Cephas – 87th minute)

Lynx: GK Theo Zagar, Jeremie Piette, Andres Arango, Josue Mayard, Rumba Munthali (Jamie Dodds – 78th minute), Rick Titus, Niels Dekker (Winston Griffiths – 62nd minute), Robin Hart (El Tabe Huffman – 85th minute), Sean Fraser, Ali Gerba, Conrad Smith (Dave Simpson – 56th minute)

Shots

Lynx 11

Kickers 10

Saves

Lynx 1

Kickers 4

Fouls

Lynx 10

Kickers 9

Corners

Lynx 4

Kickers 6

Cautions:

25th minute: Niels Dekker (Toronto)

75th minute: Rumba Munthali (Toronto)

Ejections:

None.

Referee: Tony Russo

Assistant Referees: Mark Turner, John Schmitz

Fourth Official: James Conlee

Attendance: 2,452

Weather: Overcast, cool, 73F

First Market Bank Man of the Match: Richie Williams

Celebrate Mother’s Day with the Kickers next Sunday, May 8th as the Kickers take on the Montreal Impact at 6:00 p.m. (Note: early kickoff time) at the University of Richmond Stadium. Register to win a gift certificate to Nesbit Salon valued at $250 and the first 200 moms through the gate will receive a carnation, courtesy of Selecta 1320 Spanish Radio and The Flower Market. In addition, enjoy Mexicana salsa music with the band “Vagabundo” during the Kickers Cinco de Mayo celebration. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Call 644-KICK for all ticket information.

[Rocket Robin]

and from the Lynx view of things...

For Immediate Release

Toronto Lynx Game Report

Presented by Carlsberg

Lynx Lose Away to Richmond

Date: April 30, 2005

Venue: University of Richmond Stadium, Richmond, Virginia

Attendance: 2 452

Kick Off Time: 7:00 EST

Final Score: Richmond 2 Toronto 1

Match Summary:

The Toronto Lynx played their third of six consecutive away games this evening against the Richmond Kickers at the University of Richmond Stadium in Richmond Virginia. The Lynx brought a record of 0-1-1 to tonight's game. Richmond entered tonight's match with a record of 2-1-0, with both victories coming at home. The Lynx had traditionally not had much success against the Kickers leading into tonight's match, with a franchise record of 3-8-2 against them. 2004 produced three losses against Richmond, with last seasons meeting in Richmond ending 3-2 in the home team's favour. Lynx Head Coach Hubert Busby Jr.opted to start defender Rumba Munthali who was named to the USL First Division Team of the Week for his stellar performance in the Lynx' last two matches. Toronto started well and took the lead through 2004 Lynx Leading Scorer and MVP Ali Gerba. Afte r splitting the Richmond defense, Gerba latched onto through ball and chipped it over Richmond goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale. Gerba's first goal of the season made it 1-0 to the visitors. Lynx euphoria quickly evaporated as a resolute display from Richmond produced an immediate equalizer. Striker Joey Worthen connected with Kevin Jeffrey's pass to cancel Gerba's opener a mere minute later. 1-1 as the first-half whistle blew despite 6 shots from the Lynx which kept Pascale busy with 3 saves. Richmond quickly took the lead after the restart through forward Matthew Delicate's fourth goal of the season in the 48th minute. The 62nd minute witnessed the introduction of new Lynx acquisition and Jamaican international Winston Grifiths, on loan from Jamaican side Arnett Gardens. Looking to equalizing late in the game, Lynx Head Coach Busby Jr. brought on Cameroonian striker Huffman El Tabe in the 85th minute. The change resulted in El Tabe's debut in Lynx colours. Further goals were not produced and it was 2-1 to Richmond as the final whistle blew. Tonight's loss dropped the Lynx to last place in the USL first division, and kept Richmond in first. Lynxsoccer.com spoke to Toronto Lynx Head Coach Hubert Busby Jr. in Richmond. "We are still going through some growing pains. A good response from Richmond and some mental lapses resulted in tonight's score. We are learning from our mistakes, and gelling well together." Looking ahead to Sunday's match against Virginia Beach, Busby Jr. said; "We are concentrating on maximum points over the next three games. If we pick up maximum points, we'll be in good position." The Lynx will have an opportunity to gain points when they play the the 4th place Virginia Beach Mariners on Sunday May 1st at 6:00 PM in Virginia Beach.

Final Score: Richmond 2 Toronto 1

Lineups:

Toronto: Zagar, Piette, Arango, Mayard, Munthali (Dodds 78), Titus, Dekker (Grifiths 62), Hart (Huffman 85), Fraser, Gerba, Smith (Simpson 56)

Richmond: Pascale, Knight, Bobo, Fox, Luzak, Brown, Williams, Carrieri (Burke 80), Jeffrey (Ssejjemba 43), Worthen (Gorres 45), Delicate (Cephas 87)

Cautions: Toronto: Munthali, Dekker

Ejections: None

Shots: Richmond 10, Toronto 11

Saves: Richmond 4, Toronto 1

Fouls: Richmond 9, Toronto 10

Scorers: Richmond: Worthen (Jeffrey) 28, Delicate (Brown) 48, Toronto: Gerba 27 (unassisted)

The Toronto Lynx next game is in Virginia Beach against the Mariners on May 1, 2005.

Lynx home opener is on May 15th against the Montreal Impact at Centennial Park Stadium at 4:00 PM.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

DAVID NUTT, MEDIA RELATIONS

416-251-4625 ext. 30