National Premier Soccer League | 20 June 2018 | West Chester United Turf , West Chester, PA | Scorer: Deron Joe 16.
MATCH SUMMARY
The Stars took a step closer to qualifying for play offs after defeating fierce rivals West Chester United 1-0 with a beautiful goal from midfielder Deron Joe.
The Stars went into this match buoyed by their two successive wins against Electric City Shock SC away and FC Monmouth at home as well as another win against Christos FC in the inaugural match of the Northeast Elite Soccer League (NESL).
United, on the other hand, came into the match buoyed by their comeback win against Safira FC in the USASA Region I Amateur Cup final where they were crowned champions over the weekend.
United started brightly and had two chances to go ahead in the first 15 minutes but the Stars goalie Vincent Tasca made two point-blank saves to keep the game scoreless.
After absorbing the early pressure from United, the Stars went ahead in the 16th minute off a corner.
Yaya Fane’s corner kick was met at the far post by defender Kouassi N’Guessan who headed it in the path of midfielder Deron Joe who then turned before unleashing a volley at the back of the net.
The goal galvanized the Stars as they were the better side until the half-time whistle.
After the break, United tried to equalize and had to switch to a 3-4-3 formation which had their backline opened to series of attacks by the Stars who couldn’t add onto the score line with top scorer Anthony Allison and late substitute Seydou Ba missing couple of chances.
With the win, the Stars are tied on 15 points with United at 2nd on the Keystone Conference table with a 5-0-2 (W-D-L) record.
With three games remaining in the regular season (at BuxMont Torch FC on June 27th, at New Jersey Copa FC on June 30th, vs. Hershey FC on July 8th), the Stars will be looking to continue their winning streak to make the playoffs.
Speaking after the win, head coach Fatoma Turay said: “I’m very proud of the boys tonight. This is a great result as we push for a playoffs spot. Vinny did a great job with those two saves at the start and kudos to him and the rest of the guys for keeping a clean sheet.”
STARS LINE-UP (4-2-3-1):
Vincent Tasca, Abu Donzo, Kouassi N’Guessan, Mohammed Mayah, Samba Koroma; Yaya Fane, Amadou Sheriff (Ayouba Fane 66); Alvin Dahn (Ambrose Boway 89), Deron Joe, Nyakeh Kamara (Josh Chelleh 84); Anthony Allison (c) (Seydou Ba 83).
Subs not used: Prince Monyan, Ebere Goodluck, Bill Walleekendeh.
Scorer: Deron Joe 16.
Booked: Amadou Sheriff 58.