(NASL 2015 Fall) New York Cosmos 3v2 Carolina Railhawks

Sunday 30th August 2015
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  5,257

A late goal from Lucky Mkosana took Cosmos within 2 points of Ottawa in the Fall table and extended their lead in the combined standings.

Cosmos got off to the perfect start scoring from their first attack of the game. A well worked free-kick from the training ground saw Raul feed Flores who gave the home side a lead after only 2mins with a fine finish. Cosmos continued to look dangerous and Guenzatti was denied by Fitzgerald, who prevented a second Cosmos goal in less than 15mins. Lucky was next to threaten the Carolina goal with a shot that went wide of the target.

Cosmos continued to stream forward and Guenzatti beat his man and tried to link up with Mkosana, only for a sliding challenge from Tobin to rescue the Railhawks.

The Railhawks did manage to get into the game and Novo had an effort go wide of the goal. Seconds later and Carolina did find the target as Shipalane skipped past his marker and found Albadawi who scored past Holt, deputising for the injured Jimmy Maurer.

Cosmos almost regained the lead straight away as an effort from Lucky took a deflection off Danso and struck the post. The Cosmos were losing their way after the early onslaught and Albadawi stunned the Cosmos with a second goal with a great strike into the top corner of the net. Cosmos again tried to respond straight away, only for Fitzgerald to make saves from Raul and Guenzatti.

Carolina threatened to make it 3v1 5mins after the interval, but Holt made a vital stop from Nacho Novo who was set up by Shipalane.

The game swung into the Cosmos favour in the space of a few minutes in the 2nd half. Cosmos were starting to crank up the pressure and levelled matters from the penalty spot after Lucky was fouled in the area by De Luz. Raul stepped up to tuck the penalty away.

Carolina could have regained their lead straight away, but Holt made a brilliant stop from Novo. Seconds later Carolina were reduced to 10 men as Scott was shown a red card after his arm struck Lucky.

Cosmos were looking for a go ahead goal and Mulligan put in a dangerous cross but no-one was positioned to apply the crucial touch.

Leo Fernandes almost put the Cosmos ahead, but Carolina managed to scramble the ball away thanks to a brilliant clearance by Danso. The pressure was increasing and Cosmos were awarded a second penalty after Fernandes was fouled in the area, but this time Raul could only hit the post from the spot.

Cosmos were continued the pressure and Fitzgerald did well to tip over from Flores. From the resulting corner substitute Haji Wright made an immediate impact with a brilliant cushioned pass to Lucky who fired Cosmos ahead.

Carolina refused to lie down and Shipalane tested Holt who produced a good save to maintain the lead.

Holt was tested again in stoppage time as he had to make a save off a deflection that came off Roversio who had just been introduced into the action.

But Cosmos held on to record another home victory to continue their impressive run of results.