BATTERY STOPS IMPACT

The Charleston Battery defeated the Montreal Impact tonight (Saturday, May 4, 2002) at Blackbaud Stadium, by a score of one goal to none. 3,107 fans watched as Paul Conway led the way for Charleston, scoring the only goal of the game in the 12th minute of the first half. The win improves Charleston’s record to 2-0-1, 10 points. Montreal drops to 0-1-0; this was their first match of the 2002 A-League campaign.

The game began with both sides playing conservative football. The Charleston Battery fielded an unchanged starting line-up from the 5-1 victory over the Hampton Roads Mariners, on Tuesday night. They passed the ball well and after a few minutes established some authority over the game. In the 3rd minute forward, Paul Conway, came close, after his point-blank shot was saved by the Impact keeper, Gregg Sutton.

The first and only goal of the match was scored by the Battery in the 12th minute. Montreal defender, Gabriel Gervais, passed the ball dangerously back to the goalkeeper. Under pressure from Battery striker, Mac Cozier, Sutton scuffed his clearance. The ball squirted out to, Paul Conway and he calmly slotted it into the net. The goal was Conway’s third of the season.

In the second half, Charleston created a string of chances but did not manage to convert any of them. Defender John Wilson had two good shots, the first in the 57th minute and the second at the 90-minute mark. Both strikes were from outside the box, the second forced a good save from the Montreal goalkeeper.

Impact midfielder, Mauro Biello, came closest to scoring for Montreal, but both of his second half shots were just off-target. The Battery defense was solid throughout the encounter and Mark Watson in particular, was dominant in the back-line. The final score, Charleston Battery 1 - Montreal Impact 0.

Text taken from the wayback machine.