 Baltimore MD - Crystal Palace Baltimore won’t be too upset about their shut-out streak coming to an end in New England tonight. A dramatic, last-gasp victory over the Western Mass Pioneers in Ludlow tonight extended their winning streak to five and vaulted them to the top of USL2 for the first time in their brief history.
The Pioneers took the game to Palace straight from the kickoff and had the ball in the back of the net as early as the 2nd minute. That effort from Jeff Deren didn’t count though, as the assistant referee flagged him for offside. Two minutes later, Deren’s near post header from Federico Molinari’s corner was free of infractions, thereby ending Palace’s remarkable clean sheet run at 364 minutes.
 But the Baltimore side didn’t waste any time. The following minute, Bryan Harkin’s corner was headed on by Andrew Marshall at the near post and Gary Brooks fired home from 8 yards out for his fourth goal of the season.
As the half wore on, chances were created and both ends of the bumpy Lusitano Stadium field, but the home team had the edge on possession. The pressure finally paid off when a lengthy goalmouth scramble ended with the ball being poked into the back of the Palace net by a seated Neil Krause. The goal handed the lead back to the New Englanders and marked the first time this season the Pioneers had scored more than once in a game.
Western Mass seemed certain to go into the break in front, but in the final minute of the half, Pioneers’ defender Molinari was adjudged to have taken Pat Healey down as he made a ru n into the box and referee Niko Bratsis didn’t hesitate in pointing to the penalty spot. Though the towering Pioneers’ goalie, Matt Glaeser, guessed correctly, Gary Brooks’ low spot kick was struck perfectly inside the left post to tie things up.
The second period continued where the first left off, with plenty of attacking play from both sides. The Pioneers were already winning the midfield battle when a decision by the referee in the 59th minute turned the game heavily in favor of the Pioneers. Palace’s goal-scoring leader, striker Gary Brooks challenged for a loose ball and successfully made contact with the ball with both feet. His momentum carried him into the Pioneers’ Federico Molinari and the referee immediately brandished the red card, much to the dismay of Brooks, his teammates and the Palace bench.
 The Pioneers tried to make the most of the man advantage, but the Palace defense held firm and the visitors even managed a few counter-attacks. As the game approached the third minute of injury time and Palace’s win streak appeared at an end, the referee awarded the Baltimore side a free kick outside the “D”, 22 yards from goal. Ibrahim Kante and Mike Lookingland stood over the ball as the Pioneers set up their wall. Kante stepped up and struck a low missile of a shot that was still rising as it whistled past the outstretched hands of the Pioneers’ ‘keeper and inside the right post. Pioneers’ head coach Leszek Wrona was ejected from the game shortly thereafter. The Palace defense had to withstand one further minute of pressure before the final whistle was blown, prompting wild celebrations by the Palace  team.
Pete Medd was pleased with the outcome. "Yes, obviously we're happy with the win. Sometimes when you play attacking soccer, you don't get goals from open play, but you end up with free kicks and corners. That's what we've ended up with the last couple of games. To win on the road, however we do it, we'll take it - you don't get extra points for beauty or style."
As for the red card given to Gary Brooks and the impact of losing him for the next match, Medd had this to say: "We think it was a bit of a harsh decision, but we'll live with it That's why we signed the roster we did. We expect to come out and win against Charlotte next weekend. We've got very capapble players who haven't had their time yet but will do through the rest of the season."
Palace return home to take on the Charlotte Eagles, whose loss at Richmond tonight allowed Palace to leapfrog them into first place, at UMBC Stadium on Saturday May 31st at 7:00pm. Buy tickets here for the next game. |
