The Battery countered the Thunder’s 3-5-2 with a 3-6-1 of their own to flood the midfield, resulting in rather drab play. The match started okay for the Thunder, with a series of crosses and headers ending with Godfrey Tenoff heading well over the bar.

In the thirteenth minute, the Battery struck. Taking a quick throw in, Tim Karalexis raced down the right. He sent a cross over to Usiel Vasquez whose shot ricocheted off of the crossbar, but bounded up off the turf and into the net behind Joe Warren in goal.

The rest of the half was very drab. The Thunder failed to put together any productive passes, and the Battery seemed content with a 1-0 lead, packing their half of the field and keeping 9 players behind the ball at almost all times.

In the 25^th minute, Tenoff was called for a questionable foul about 25 yards from goal, but Lazo Alavanja’s shot found nothing but the back of the goal frame.

A few minutes later, a collision between Jason Kutney, Freddy Juarez and Chris Brunt would see Kutney taken off with an injury.

In the 38^th minute, Jeff Matteo let his frustration get the better of him. Receiving a diagonal ball from Matt Schmidt, Matteo’s touch got away from him and as he tackled from behind to get it, he was booked, the foul more for persistant anger and petulance than the actual foul.

The Thunder had one last chance before half time. Matteo sent a diagonal ball to Johnny Menyongar, who dropped of to Matt Schmidt wide right. His cross found the foot of Kiki Lara on the left, but his rocketing volley was inches over the bar.

In the second half, the Battery really seemed to decide that 1-0 was the best that they could hope for and continued to play almost total defense.

It was a nervy affair with both sides picking up chippy yellows. In the 51^st minute, Ugo Okoye was booked for encroaching, as he didn’t back away quickly enough after fouling Tenoff and the Durban, South Africa native played the free kick into his shins.

A few moments later, after being assaulted and winning the call, Chris Brunt pushed his attacker down and received a booking for his troubles.

In the 68^th minute, Aaron Paye got on the end of a long ball from Joe Warren, but unlike in Charleston, his shot was just wide.

A few minutes later, he would be free of the defense and lift the ball around the keeper, but his shot curled just a couple of inches wide of the post.

For the last 15 minutes, the Thunder had four forwards on the field and Chris Brunt was playing an attacking role, but the Battery failed to even threaten to break past the halfway line, Joe Warren venturing forward into the Battery penalty box.

The last chance the Thunder had was in the 88^th minute, as Francis Doe twisted and turned, firing over the net. The Liberian forward pummeled the ground in frustration after seeing his shot sail high.

The Battery continued to play catinaccio and to waste time until the end of the match.

Match Ratings:

Warren – 5 – Again, poor distribution, and his shot stopping was rarely called upon.

Branan – 5 – Lost a few key head balls, distribution from the back was okay.

Brunt – 5 – Pushed forward a lot, but toiled for little gain.

Pezneker – 5.5 – Held the back well when Warren pushed forward, had a decent shot deflected just wide.

Juarez – 6 – One of two Thunder players able to hold the ball, withdrawn for attacking spark

Schmidt – 4 – Touch was poor, trapping out of bounds and into trouble. Crosses were poor. Better second half, but not good enough. We missed Jay Alberts badly.

Lara – 5.5 – Decent work on the left, a good shot at the end of the half, but largely ineffective.

Tenoff – 5 – Largely invisible in the middle of the park before withdrawn early.

Matteo – 5.5 – Toiled in the midfield as the only other player who could hold the ball. Free kick was close, but couldn’t find the killer pass.

Tarley – 4.5 – Invisible. Where did last year’s Melvin go?

Menyongar – 5 – Dropped to Attacking Midfield when Paye and Doe came on, a role where his skills would be well used, but couldn’t set up his teammates.

Subs –

Friedland – 5.5 – Provided more on the left, but couldn’t find the killer cross.

Paye – 6 – A good spark off the bench, with some good chances, just couldn’t find the net.

Doe – 5.5 – Another spark off the bench.