Lions Overtake Colts for 1st Place
- Updated: June 4, 2017
Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com
Nana Addai’s second hat trick of the season steered Boston City FC to sole possession of first place in the Atlantic White Conference with Sunday’s 3-1 win over Hartford City FC at Malden Catholic High School in Malden, Mass.
Addai, who recorded his first three-goal effort against Rhode Island last month, tallied in the 50th, 58th, and 90th minutes. Hartford City brought one back via James Randall in the 67th minute.
Boston City goalkeeper Anthony Ferrera stopped a 13th minute penalty try from Luke Alvaro to keep the match scoreless going into the break.
“I read his hips and had a little bit of an instinct about where he was going to go and just trusted in that and went for it,” said Herrera of his penalty stop. “I would have liked to have put it a little bit further away, but I got up quick and made the second save.”
The hosts came into Sunday’s match still without their full lineup, with goalkeeper Vitor Scariot, midfielder/captain Ronaldo Vieira, and midfielder Homero Morais unavailable for Sunday’s match. It took only nine minutes for the injury list to grow, as starting striker Kamali Webson was forced off with an injury.
Not long after, Lions forward Jhonata Batista, fresh off a hat trick and selection to the NPSL team of the week, came down awkwardly on his right leg, chasing after a long pass and was substituted in the 30th minute. Batista was seen being carted off the sideline at halftime with his ankle wrapped.
After re-grouping at the half, Boston City came out firing in the second half when Addai unlocked a scoreless match with a half-volley in the 50th minute. After Hartford FC goalkeeper Hami Kara fouled Lions forward Yaw Addow inside the box, it was Addai who converted the penalty kick in the 57th minute to double the lead.
Hartford wouldn’t go home empty handed, as substitute Randall brought the Colts within one, finishing a loose ball from a long throw in the box. However, Addai completed the hat-trick and clinched three points in the 89th minute.
The loss completed a rough weekend for Hartford City FC, losing twice in the span of two days. The Colts entered Saturday undefeated with a 2-0-2 record, but a 2-1 Saturday loss against Seacoast United and Sunday’s loss to Boston City leaves them three points behind the Lions, who have a game in hand.
Boston City moves to sole possession of first-place with a 3-0-2 record with 11 points. The Lions’ depth will again be tested next weekend at Kingston Stockade FC, who are unbeaten in their last six match and riding high after taking sole possession of second-place with a road 5-0 victory over Rhode Island.
Hartford City will return to action on Saturday when they host Rhode Island at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Ct.
Related Posts
About Greg Johnstone
