Strikers Get First Franchise Win Against Rowdies
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (3W-4T-3L) defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies (3W-3T-4L) at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday night by a final of 3-1 for their first win against Tampa Bay in franchise history. Goals by Abe Thompson, Mark Anderson and Walter Restrepo were the difference for the Strikers. Anderson’s game winner in the 54th minute was his fourth goal in the last five NASL games and sixth goal in the last seven for the Strikers overall.
“It’s good for us just to get a win,” said Strikers head coach Daryl Shore. “The fact that it was against Tampa is extra special and great for our fans who come out here every game.”
The Strikers fell behind to start the match when Shane Hill found Luke Mulholl and with a long cross Mulholland buried to give the Rowdies a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute. The Rowdies had not lost a game all season when leading at halftime.
The Strikers would get on the board in the 52nd minute when forward Aly Hassan was taken down in the penalty area by Draymond Washington. Strikers captain Abe Thompson scored on the ensuing penalty kick to tie the match at 1-1.
Before the Rowdies could catch their breath the Strikers scored again. In the 54th minute, Mark Anderson played a short corner quickly to Lance Laing who stopped the ball for Anderson to fire another long distance strike beating Jeff Attinella at the far post.
“We got a corner and I knew they were arguing with the ref and not getting set so I had Lance just stop it and I knew right where I was going with it,” said Anderson. “I was trying to aim for the corner, it went in, and it couldn’t have gone any better.”
The scoring was capped in stoppage time by Walter Restrepo, who took a long lead pass by second half substitute Andy Herron toward the Tampa Bay area. Restrepo reversed his field and dribbled around Attinella and a Rowdies defender to score his fourth goal of the year to match Anderson’s four.
The Strikers move ahead of the Rowdies in the NASL standings into fourth in the league. Fort Lauderdale next travels North to face FC Edmonton on Sunday, June 10th at 4:00pm.
