USL Game Report

Friday, April 10, 2015

RICHMOND, Va. - A pair of goals by Jason Yeisley and a key save by Travis Worra on a penalty kick led the Richmond Kickers to their first win of the USL season as they defeated Wilmington Hammerheads FC 3-0 at City Stadium on Friday night.

The Kickers, who entered the game with two draws in the early goings of the 2015 USL campaign, wasted little time getting their offense involved, led by the performance of Yeisley.

Four minutes in, Kickers midfielder Brian Ownby drove the ball down the right side of the Wilmington half and send a cross through the Hammerheads' penalty area, finding Yeisley on the run. A first-time volley by Yeisley sailed past Wilmington goalkeeper Larry Jackson and gave the Kickers an early 1-0 lead.

Fans looking for more did not have to wait long as Yeisley found himself in the right place at the right time in the 25th minute. Thanks to an accurate through-ball from Richmond midfielder Fred Sekyere, Yeisley was able to carry the ball into the Wilmington penalty area, jump past a defender to gain space and fire a shot into the top-right corner of the net. 

The Kickers carried their lead into the halftime break, but once the second half began, Wilmington pushed back strongly. The Hammerheads' came close to pulling a goal back as Richmond was put on its heels, and the Kickers conceded a penalty kick in the 79th minute on a foul in the penalty area.

Wilmington forward Sunny Jane stepped up,, but his effort to the left corner was palmed onto the post by goalkeeper and D.C. United loanee Travis Worra. The Kickers defense cleared the rebound away from danger.

Richmond added a third in the final minute, thanks to the efforts of forward Eli Garner. After settling the ball, Garner played a good give-and-go with Yudai Imura, and was able to drive forward into the Wilmington penalty area. His low shot slipped past Johnson for his first goal in a Kickers uniform, and gave Richmond a 3-0 win and Worra his first clean sheet of the 2015 USL campaign.

Richmond remains undefeated through the first three games of the 2015 USL season, with a record of 1-0-2 and a total of five points.

The Kickers will be back at City Stadium on Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m. as they take on the Charlotte Independence. Gates for the match open at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.