(NASL 2014 Spring) Carolina Railhawks 1v0 New York Cosmos

Saturday 3rd May 2014
WakeMed Soccer Park, North Carolina   Attendance -  4,066

Carolina Railhawks dented the Cosmos' hopes of winning the Spring Championship following a second successive defeat. The only goal of the contest came early in the 1st half after the Railhawks caught Cosmos short at the back following a lightning counter attack.

There had been a shortage of action at both ends until the 12th minute when Elizondo caught Szetela in possession.

Even then there was little sign of an immediate threat on the Cosmos goal, but that all changed when the Railhawks player carried the ball at pace towards the Cosmos goal, leaving Szetela trailing in his wake. Cosmos were suddenly outnumbered at the back and Elizondo slipped the ball to Ty Shipalane whose first effort was saved by Maurer, but the Cosmos Keeper could do nothing to prevent the rebound from being converted.

Railhawks almost doubled their lead 4mins later when Shipalane skipped past 2 weak challenges and crashed the ball against the bar with Maurer beaten.

The usually robust Cosmos defence was all over the place as seconds later Grella robbed Senna by the corner flag and crossed in for Schilawski who could only hit the side netting from a tight angle. Cosmos did managed to test Railhwaks Keeper Fitzgerald, although Freeman's chipped effort looked more like a miscued cross than an effort on goal in the 21st minute.

But as the half wore on Cosmos were starting to keep the ball better and Jemal Johnson forced a routine save from Fitzgerald. Approaching half time the pressure on the home goal grew, but the final finish was lacking with Jemal Johnson having several efforts that failed to trouble Fitzgerald.

Cosmos started the second half on the front foot, but were reduced to 10 men when Guenzatti was sent off for striking out at Carolina player Low.

Carolina's numerical advantage did not last for long as Tobin received a 2nd yellow card which evened up the player count just minutes later, as the foul count started to rise. Cosmos almost equalised from the resulting free-kick when Stokkelien was centre meters away from connecting with Hunter Freemans dangerous ball into the box.

Railhawks were reduced to 9 when Low received  2nd yellow card which only increased the pressure on the home side as the game wore on. Stokkelien should have levelled matters from 5 yards, but his shot was saved by Fitzgerald. The Cosmos piled the pressure on but could not break through the mass ranks of the Railhawks defence who held on to extend their 17 game unbeaten home record.