July 12, 2012 (Atlanta, GA)- A late goal from Gregory Richardson was not enough as the Islanders fell 2-1 to the Silverbacks at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. The Atlanta side continues their renaissance near the bottom of the NASL table under new manager Eric Wynalda, taking down a team that started the match with 17 more points. The Islanders continue on to Tampa Bay with 28 points. Their next match will be July 21st at Al Lang Stadium in Tampa. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. As always, fans can watch the game at the Islanders' Watch Party in Coladas Fine Puerto Rican Cuisine and Frozen Drink Bar at Verdanza Hotel in Isla Verde, starting at 7:00 p.m.
The first half of the match was an even showing with chances falling both ways. Islanders’ keeper Richard Martin was called into action by two well-struck free kicks: First by Burciaga, then O’Brien- both were well saved.
The Islanders found success along the right flank with Edson Edwards and Gregory Richardson creating chances for target men Nicholas Addlery and Hector Ramos. Twice, Richardson almost provided a scoring cross and once his left footed effort from the top of the box was saved.
The Silverbacks took the first goal of the game just before the halftime whistle. A rebounded effort came to Nico Colaluca, who was the first to scuffle to the loose ball in the box. His driven effort was strong enough to take a deflection from a diving Osei Telesford and still head into the net in the 45th minute.
The whistle immediately blew for halftime and the Islanders were left heading into the tunnel 1-0 down.
Atlanta looked like the brighter side at the start of the second half, but Islanders’ Captain, Noah Delgado, managed to come close in the 53rd minute. His long distance effort sailed just wide.
The Silverbacks found the match winner off a half volley the 63rd minute. Matt Horth buried his fourth goal of the season to make it 2-0. It is Horth’s second goal against the Islanders this season.
Richard Martin continued his phenomenal form by keeping Horth out of the goal in the 78th minute with another diving save.
The Islanders broke through in the 86th minute for a bit of consolation when Gregory Richardson smoothly finished his breakaway into the side netting. The Islanders’ #10 had been creating chances all game but to no avail until too late.
The match finished 2-1 to the Silverbacks, who climbed out of the NASL basement with the win.
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