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Richmond fell 1-0 to the Harrisburg City Islanders Saturday, meaning the Kickers only nabbed one point during their three-game road trip. With the loss, the Kickers haven’t won one away game all season. Chris Durkin and Chris Odoi-Atsem joined the starting eleven, and newly signed midfielder Oscar Umar made his first start for the team.
Richmond had fifteen shots on the day with four on target compared to Harrisburg’s twelve shots and only one on target. The Islanders made their chance count, however.
Possession was about even, but Harrisburg created the first chance when Cardel Benbow beat Braeden Troyer and took a shot near side in the 7th minute. To be safe, keeper Matt Turner tipped the ball over the bar and out for a corner.
In the 17th minute, Harrisburg’s Abass Mohammed earned a yellow card for fouling Sunny Jane at the top of the box. Raul Gonzalez stepped up for the free kick and put his shot on target, but keeper Brandon Miller collected the ball without much difficulty. Jane earned another free kick for Richmond in the 33rd minute 25 yards out. This time he claimed the set piece and curved the ball wide right of the net, but not by much.
It was a tale of set pieces for Richmond. In the 75th minute, Durkin took a free kick from the left sideline and forty yards out. His cross was accurate and directed towards the far post. Richmond veteran defender William Yomby came sliding in and connected with the ball, nearly putting it on target, but it sailed just wide.
A minute later, Harrisburg scored the only goal of the match. Quick play following a goal quick from Miller saw 19 year-old Ghanaian Ropapa Mensah beat defender Mallan Roberts with a cut back towards goal. Creating space, Mensah cracked an impressive shot from the top of the box to the far side of the net, beating Turner and putting his team ahead.
Thankfully Richmond returns to City Stadium for two matches this week. This Wednesday, they take on Swansea City FC for the second year in a row. Saturday, July 22nd, the Kickers battle Bethlehem Steel FC, a team they had success against during their recent road trip.