USL2: Crystal Palace Baltimore aim for consistency as ex-Liverpool man Massie tops with Islanders

The Harrisburg City Islanders sit top of the USL 2 two consecutive victories, including two against close rivals at the top of the league. A 3-0 win over Charlotte Eagles saw David Schofield come on as a substitute with 17 minutes left, but he had little to do. This was followed by an impressive 3-2 win away to Real Maryland Monarchs, where both Schofield and Jason Massie came on late in the game, with the result already secured. The results mean the Islanders have a two point advantage over the Wilmington Hammerheads, as well as a game in hand. A 5-0 loss to the Richmond Kickers has thrown a spanner in their works though, with Schofield, enjoying a rare start, ending up putting the ball in the back of his own net in the first half.

David Irving’s Hammerheads have lost their way somewhat of late, with a couple of defeats costing them the top spot. A 2-1 defeat in the hands of the Western Mass Pioneers saw Calum Angus play the entire game in defence and score the goal that put his side back in the match. Alas, they couldn’t claw back a second, despite the efforts of the starting Mark Briggs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds then put the Hammerheads to the sword, with Angus the only Englishman to turn out for the side. Things improved with a 1-0 win over the Bermuda Hogges, but Irving will be expecting more from his side in the matches to come. Angus played the entire match again, while Briggs started in midfield but was taken off eleven minutes from the end.

Leigh Cowlishaw and his Richmond Kickers are in the mix but are another side to enjoy a real mixed bad of results in recent times. However, things are starting to look up. A 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace Baltimore saw Ben Hunter start in attack and play most of the match, while top scorer Matthew Delicate came on just before the hour mark, had little effect in attack and picked up a yellow card for his efforts. A 2-0 win over Western Mass Pioneers followed, with Delicate back on the score sheet after a sublime performance in attack. Hunter was the substitute this time, coming on with eighteen minutes remaining. Delicate turned on the style and was the provider in the latest match, a 5-0 success over leaders Harrisburg City. He set up two goals before coming off midway in the second half, while Hunter had a half-hour of action late on.

Anthony Hudson’s Real Maryland Monarchs are still aiming for consistency, especially on the road, as they look to take the challenge to the two leaders from third place. A 1-0 loss to the Bermuda Hogges saw an ineffective game from Ashleigh Townsend, but this was followed by their first road win of the season, a 1-0 success over Crystal Palace Baltimore. Townsend played the entire match again and looked in better shape, but he did pick up a yellow card the following day in the 3-2 loss against Harrisburg City. Tom Taylor turned out in the Harrisburg match, picking up a yellow card on the half-hour mark and scoring in the last minute. As for Jody Banim, there has still been no recent action for him.

Crystal Palace Baltimore sit in fourth place and have played at least three games more than any other team (eleven). Their results have been mixed to say the least, starting with a 1-1 draw away to Richmond Kickers. Paul Robson played out the entire match in defence, as he did in the following game, a 0-0 draw with Western Mass Pioneers. Robson picked up a yellow card in that match late on, and followed it up with another one in the 1-0 loss to Real Maryland a few days later, before coming off late on. Robson also played a part from midfield in the 2-1 loss to Western Mass Pioneers last night, again proving that consistency is not a regular facet of the USL 2 for many teams.

Western Massachusetts Pioneers sit in seventh, just two points off of the bottom, after a recent good run of form. A 2-1 win over Wilmington Hammerheads saw Yan Klukowski score what proved to be the winner. There was also a start at least for David Tyrie in defence.  A 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace Baltimore followed, with both Tyrie and Klukowski starting, and the latter coming off with twenty minutes remaining. A 2-0 loss to Richmond Kickers saw Tyrie pick up a first half yellow card, and this was followed by a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace Baltimore and a 2-0 win over Real Maryland Monarchs in successive matches this weekend. In the first match Klukowski set up one goal and Tyrie picked up another caution.