National Premier Soccer League | 02 June 2018 | South Philadelphia Super Site | Attendance: 100 | Scorers: Kamara 78; McFadden 17, Mellor 21.
MATCH SUMMARY
A second-half strike from Nyakeh Kamara wasn’t enough as the Stars lose to fierce rivals West Chester United 1-2 after conceding two early goals from Aiden McFadden and Luca Mellor.
After losing 0-4 to FC Motown last week, the Stars needed to bounce back on Saturday, but they saw themselves two goals behind in the first 21 minutes.
Like last week, the Stars started slowly on Saturday and they were made to pay in the 17th minute when a miscommunication from defenders Mohammed Mayah and Abu Donzo saw McFadden pouncing on a loose ball to put United ahead.
Four minutes later, United doubled their lead through a counter-attack with Mellor adding his name on to the score sheet to give his side a 2-0 lead before half time.
After the break, coach Fatoma Turay made a tactical adjustment by playing three in the back and having an extra striker on the field.
That was a good move as the Stars began to exert more pressure on United but the United goalie Charles Sales, who hadn’t conceded a goal in the previous three games, was up to the task making some very good saves.
However, in the 78th minute, the Stars were finally able to breach the defense of United with Nyakeh Kamara unleashing a 22-yard shot that zoomed past Sales to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The next 12 minutes plus stoppage time was an end-to-end stuff as the Stars were looking for the equalizer while United were looking to counter-attack.
Vincent Tasca, making his NPSL debut in goal for the Stars, made series of one-on-one saves to keep the score at 2-1 while the Stars couldn’t find the equalizer with United holding on to a 2-1 win.
Speaking after the loss, head coach Fatoma Turay said: “I was a little bit upset because I know we could’ve done better. We played good today and like last week, we have nothing to show for it. We still control our own fate, we will work harder this week at practices to get a win in our next game.”
STARS LINE-UP:
Stars: Tasca; Donzo (Walleekendeh 46), T. Turay, Mayah, Koroma; Y. Fane (C), Freitas (Goodluck 70); Kollie (Torh 64), Dennis, Kamara; Chelleh.
Subs not used: Monyan, N’Guessan, Mulbah, Sheriff.
Booked: Torh 94.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE STARS?
The Stars, who are now third in the Keystone Conference with a 2W-0D-2L record, will need to bounce back on Saturday, June 9th when they travel to Scranton, PA to battle the Electric City Shock at 6:30pm.
Following that, the Stars will begin their inaugural season in the Northeast Elite Soccer League (NESL) on Sunday, June 10th when they host Maryland powerhouse Christos FC at the South Philadelphia Super Site at 6:00pm. Tickets will go on sale for that match on Tuesday.
Photo Credit: Matt Ralph