E.P. Grabs Win in Cup Opener

FALL RIVER, Mass. – Jimmy Hernandez and Armando Gomes each scored to steer East Providence to a 2-0 win over Lindo’s ST in the first leg of LUSA Cup competition on Sunday at Billy Gonsalves Field.

Hernandez gave E.P. the early lead with an 8th minute strike while Gomes added an insurance goal in the 65th minute to cap the scoring. Jimmi Underhill stopped five shots to earn the clean sheet.

East Providence, who were designated as the hosts with Riverside Rec Park unavailable on Sunday, made their intentions clear in the opening minutes. Moments after kick off, Kyle Teixeira chipped it into the area for an unmarked Andres Perdomo. But the midfielder’s effort went wide of the far post.

Perdomo found a measure of redemption six minutes later when took another pass from Teixeira on the edge of the 18. Then, with options on both sides, he went left to Hernandez, who cut inside and guided his tight-angled shot inside the far post.

Lindo’s ST struggled to file a response, and they had no one to blame but E.P.’s midfield. With Perdomo and Gomes commanding the middle of the park, the Lindo attack often fizzled before it could cross the center line.

And on the rare occasion in which they managed to slice through, the assistant linesman flagged them offside time after time. In fact, Lindo’s was caught offside six times in the first half alone.

However, the green-shirted squad escaped the flag in the 34th minute, when Michel Rodrigues found Evaldo Quedes on a long cross from the right. Quedes grabbed a hold of it, then lined up his shot, which promptly swerved wide of the near post.

After a number of forarys into their opponents’ half, East Providence finally made it a two-goal game shortly after the hour. Perdomo sent it ahead to Teixeira, who then tucked it inside to Gomes. After taking a quick touch, Gomes buried a 20-yard shot that lodged itself under the crossbar in the 65th minute.

East Providence and Lindo’s return to action for the second leg of their first-round LUSA Cup matchup on Wednesday at Billy Gonsalves Field. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm.