by ANTHONY J. MERCED

HARRISON, N.J. – Two first half goals by Manolo Sanchez and Marius Obekop were all that New York needed to cruise in their 2-0 victory over the Wilmington Hammerheads at Red Bull Arena Saturday night.

New York dominated almost every statistical category in the game, even keeping the Hammerheads without a shot on goal until early in the second half. The win moves NYRB II one step closer to a secure USL playoff spot and even closer to second place, where they can earn a bye straight into the Conference semi-finals.

The first half at Red Bull Arena couldn’t have been better. New York dominated possession and threatened on numerous occasions. First round draft pick Leo Stolz looked dynamic, nearly scoring a goal in the first ten minutes and distributed the ball brilliantly to the wingers who shredded the Hammerheads defense.

The scoring opened in the twenty-second minute when Williams became entangled with a Wilmington defender. Players stopped, awaiting an inevitable foul call, but it never came. James Thomas was the only one who didn’t cease his motion, picking up the ball from Williams and finding Sanchez who fired a brilliant shot into the bottom left corner for the first goal of the game.

Marius Obekop added the cushion with a fantastic unassisted goal in the 28th minute. The forward picked up an a bad play in midfield by Wilmington and took on three defenders before finding the back of the net.

Despite a demoralizing first half, Hammerheads head coach Carson Porter wouldn’t concede defeat, bringing on forwards Corben Bone and Aaron Wheeler before the end of the first half. Still, New York pressed forward and didn’t allow Wilmington any momentum.

The second half was a continuation of the first with the Hammerheads trying their best to gain an offensive advantage. Their first half substitutions, mixed with a bit more of a high-pressing outlook did provide a few dangerous moments but nothing that New York couldn’t handle.

Red Bull II now sits in third place, five points behind Louisville City FC with three games left to play. Next week, New York will have a chance to cut that lead by three when they host USL darling Louisville City at Red Bull Arena. A win, would also all but guarantee New York’s placement in the USL playoffs.