Carolina RailHawks get first win in 36 days, down Jacksonville Armada
After earning only four points in their previous nine matches, RailHawks supporters were seemingly unanimous in their demands for some sort of personnel change on the pitch. On Saturday night, RailHawks coach Colin Clarke fulfilled their wishes, placing three new signings in the starting XI.
Clarke’s movements paid off, as the RailHawks overpowered the Jacksonville Armada 3-0 to earn their first win in 36 days.
Carolina started the match firing on all cylinders, finding themselves in an unfamiliar position, leading by a duo of goals at the halftime break.
Tiyi Shipalane opened the scoring onslaught, slotting a worm-burner into the bottom left corner in the 35th minute, his sixth goal of the year.
Six minutes later, Nazmi Albadawi was the beneficiary of an excellent ball from Daniel Jackson – who returned to the RailHawks after a one-year hiatus with the USL’s Charlotte Independence – sliding in to poke the ball past Jacksonville goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo to double the Carolina lead to 2-0.
“I watched Frank Lampard play in New York City, every time the ball is live he’s bombing to the box,” Albadawi said. “That’s something I’ve been working on, getting into the box every time and seeing what happens instead of waiting back.”
After trading offensive blows for the majority of the second half, Albadawi weaved his way inside the 18 and put a rocket into the top right corner, effectively putting the nail in the coffin as the RailHawks went up 3-0.
Turning point
The Jackson-to-Albadawi connection late in the first half gave the RailHawks the ever important multi-goal lead.
Three who mattered
Nazmi Albadawi, Carolina: Albdawai contributed a goal and assist in the first half, giving the RailHawks a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. His 90th-minute goal solidified the Carolina win.
Alex Perez, Carolina: Making the lineup as a defending midfielder in his first start, the 24-year-old Spaniard made a plethora of touches in the transition game in addition to his own defensive stops.
“Great player with a great background, he’s a player we’ve been looking for, for awhile,” Clarke said. “He makes everyone around him better … I can’t wait to see him grow.”
Shipalane/Jackson, Carolina: The duo took no time to become accustomed to each other’s strengths, playing the ball back-and-forth for the full 90 minutes on the offensive end.
“We wanted to get (Shipalane) in the center and give him license to roam,” Clarke said. “We gave him options to shift and interchange.”
Observations
▪ With Nacho Novo suspended, Clarke opted to have recently signed Jackson and winger Shipalane start up top.
▪ The RailHawks wore red shirts in honor of the Durham Ronald McDonald House.
▪ Saturday night was the first time since May 30 (4-0 at Jacksonville) that Carolina won by 3-plus goals.
Looking ahead
Carolina looks to keep their playoff hopes alive when they host Edmonton on Wednesday night.
“I feel confident playing anyone at our home field,” Albadawi said.
This story was originally published October 11, 2015 at 12:11 AM with the headline "Carolina RailHawks get first win in 36 days, down Jacksonville Armada."