A reverse of the same fixture from a fortnight ago saw the same scoreline, but this time around, the result was in Wilmington’s favor. The Hammerheads walked away from their PDL home opener with a 3–1 win over their Interstate-40 opponent in another match filled with offensive chances, a match which featured a tale of two halves.

NCFC U23s Line-up, a 4–5–1 formation with Dean Rutherford as the lone forward. (Photo Credit: Ryan Allen)

Wilmington opened up the match with a fast start, taking a majority of their shots in the first fifteen minutes. On 14 minutes, Dean Rutherford took the Acorns’ first shot of the night off of a 1-on-1 opportunity against Hammerheads keeper, Andrew Romig, but the shot was deflected away.

Minutes later, Cameron Lindley took a shot from beyond the box that rattled the crossbar of the goal. The attack continued, as a free kick into the box was headed into the side netting by Hammerheads defender, Rafael Fagundo.

One of Wilmington’s many free kicks from the first half. (Photo Credit: Ryan Allen)

With the many shots taken by Wilmington, a goal was all but inevitable, and it came when Tanner Roberts opened the scoring at the 27th minute. UNCW alum Daniel Escobar scored just five minutes later. Roberts completed a brace with another goal in the 42nd minute, leaving the Hammerheads up 3–0 at half, and also leading 7–2 in shots through the first 45 minutes.

Rutherford recorded both of the shots for the visitors in the first half. In goal for the Acorns, goalkeeper Ignacio Blanco must be commended for making many extraordinary saves from an onslaught of driving shots from Wilmington during the first half. If not for Blanco, the scoreline may have been much uglier for the Cary based club at the break.

By the time the second half began, the match was a different story. The Acorns’ offense appeared to have waken up, recording five shots and holding possession in the second stanza. At times, Wilmington struggled to move the ball past halfway during the opening moments of the half.

Matt Arnone, NCFC U23s defender, broke the Hammerheads’ clean sheet, with a score off a header that tucked under the bar in the 67th minute, his first goal of the season.

It took until the 88th minute before Wilmington took their first shot of the second half, and the club added two more shots in stoppage time just before the whistle blew for full time, capping off a win in their PDL home opener.

The Hammerheads saluting the fans after the match. (Photo Credit: Ryan Allen)

Takeaways from the Match

Wilmington improved offensively, scoring the same amount of goals in this match as they had in their prior two matches. The Hammerheads also won the shot battle, with nine, compared to the Acorns’ seven shots on the night. The only potential pitfall for the hosts was how long they went without taking a shot in second half. The Hammerheads did benefit from many corners and free kicks on the evening, providing many chances on goal.

Man of the Match: Tanner Roberts, Wilmington Hammerheads.

Scoring a brace for the hosts set the tone for the match. Roberts now leads the club in goals with three and having as many shots through three matches on the season.

Tanner Roberts, #9, leading another Hammerheads attack. (Photo Credit: Ryan Allen)

Upcoming Fixtures: Wilmington turns around with a rescheduled match hosting the Myrtle Beach Mutiny (2–0–1) on Monday, June 5th. North Carolina FC U23s continue a three match road trip, as they travel west to Greensboro to take on the Carolina Dynamo (1–3–0) on Saturday, June 3rd.