Tribbett Tallies Two Goals In 4-0 Victory
The Harrisburg City Islanders took a 4-0 victory over Wilmington Hammerheads FC at Legion Stadium on Saturday night.
Hammerheads forward Sunny Jane was quick on his feet to start the first half, attempting a shot early on but had difficulty finding a good touch on the ball and flanked a shot wide. Midfielder Christian Bassogog made his debut on the pitch with Wilmington on Saturday along with Brian Anunga and Fran Martinez. Bassogog was a key factor at placing the ball at his fellow Hammerheads’ feet throughout the night as they looked for attempts on goal.
The first goal of the night from Harrisburg came off a header by defender Ken Tribbett off a corner kick taken by Jason Plumhoff in the 31st minute. Shortly after, the Hammerheads were offered a free kick just outside of the penalty area for the opportunity to equalize, but Harrisburg goalkeeper Nick Noble rejected entry on the jump. With halftime approaching and the Hammerheads still down by one, defender Paul Nicholson sent a long ball up to Bassogog for the run, but Noble approached quickly for the stop.
With the second half underway, Wilmington’s Corben Bone found an opportunity for the cross in front of the net, but the attempt was long. Martinez was able to gain control and send the ball back into play in Harrisburg territory until defender Dante Leverock cleared it up field with the header. Brett Jankouskas scored the second goal of the match for Harrisburg in the 59th minute after miscommunication from Wilmington gave him space for the shot after receiving it at his feet from Yann Ekra a few yards away. After faking a move to the right, Jankouskas took the shot with his left, find the upper left corner of the net and increasing Wilmington’s deficit by two.
Bone attempted to put a point on the board for Wilmington off a free kick after Bassogog was brought down just outside of the box. The hard ball curved just outside of the right post, resulting in possession back to Harrisburg. Tribbett found the back of the net once more in the 70th minute after gaining control of the ball following a shuffle of possession in the box. Harrisburg further secured the victory following a goal by Plumhoff just before the end of the match from a penalty kick. Nicholson was short on judgment as he passed the ball back to Hammerheads goalkeeper Andre Rawls, forcing Rawls to attempt the clear but causing him to instead catch the legs of Plumhoff and bringing him down in the box for the penalty.
Wilmington Hammerheads FC travels westward next weekend to Saint Louis FC on Saturday, May 9 and then to Louisville City FC on Tuesday, May 12 for their first match against each team this season.
