Sanyang edges Jatta as both faceoff

Colin Falvey’s first-half header gave the Charleston Battery of Amadou “Baresi” Sanyang victory against the Los Angeles Blues of Ebrima “EJ” Jatta at the Blackbaud Stadium.

The victory allowed Sanyang’s Battery to maintain their hold on third place in the USL PRO standings, and brought the Blues’ five-game undefeated streak to an end. The Battery took the lead in the 13th minute as Jose Cuevas’s free kick was met by Falvey eight yards from goal, and his header found the right side of the net.

The Battery had chances to add to their lead, as did the Blues to equalize, but neither side was overly sharp in front of goal as Amadou Sanyang came closest with a header that went just over the crossbar.

The second half saw more opportunities, and Blues goalkeeper Amir Abedzadeh made an important save against Sallieu Bundu to keep his side’s deficit at one. Falvey’s goal proved to be the only one the Battery needed to take the win, though, as they took their fifth victory of the season.

Charleston remains at home to host the New York Red Bulls in a U.S. Open Cup third round contest at Blackbaud Stadium. Jatta’s Blues, meanwhile, return home and will next host the Dayton Dutch Lions for a pair of games, the first coming on Friday, June 15 at Titan Stadium.

Meanwhile in Pennsylvania, Morgan Langley’s second-half goal gave Sainey Touray’s Harrisburg City Islanders their third consecutive victory in all competitions, and handed the Rochester Rhinos their first loss of the season, as Harrisburg took a victory at Skyline Sports Complex.

Both sides had chances in the first half, but the better ones went to the City Islanders. Sainey Touray had a snap shot turned over the crossbar by Rhinos goalkeeper Kristian Nicht, and Langley was denied a good opportunity by a sliding challenge by Troy Roberts as the teams went to the break scoreless.

Three minutes into the second half, however, Harrisburg took the lead as JT Noone found space down the left side and sent a looping cross to the far post. Langley was there to head home as Nicht’s last-ditch effort was unable to keep the ball out of the net.

Rochester tried to rally after going behind, but Nick Noble was on hand to keep a fourth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions to earn the City Islanders three points. They host the New England Revolution of Sainey Nyassi [injured] in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.