The Hounds fell to the Charleston Battery 2-1 last night in a disappointing effort that saw the boys carry the majority of the play. Though a five minute stretch in the first half saw Charleston hit the Hounds net twice to give them a two goal lead at halftime.

A beautiful Rob Vincent strike early in the second half gave us hope of a possible comeback, but it was not to be. A flurry of second half chances could not be converted and in the end it was another disappointing Saturday night in Station Square.

Pittsburgh had the majority of the possession in the first half but saw only a couple clear scoring chances, the best probably coming from Corey Hertzog. Judging from comments after the game from Hertzog and coach Brandt, this seems to be the way the Hounds want to play, having the majority of the ball. Obviously they would like to find the back of the net more, but there were signs of promise, which is hardly any conciliation being 1-6-3.

The 37th minute is where it all went wrong for the Hounds, when Jamaican O’Brian Woodbine was able to take on two Hounds defenders before being taken down in the box by Jordan Murrell to earn a penalty. Woodbine converted from the spot in to the upper left corner past Mauricio Vargas to put the Battery up 1-0.

Five minutes later, Battery defender Taylor Mueller was able to double their lead when he pounced on a loose ball that was failed to be cleared from the Hounds area after a Maikel Chang free kick.

As expected, the Riverhounds came out for the second half with a sense of desperation to get back in to the game and the pressure paid off five minutes in to the second half. Rob Vincent was able to mark his return to Highmark with one more wonder goal, smashing a shot in to the bottom right corner from 30 yards out.

The remainder of the game saw the Hounds get plenty of the possession and create a number of clear scoring chances, but a packed in Charleston would not surrender. The best of the chances were a Kerr header and a powerful shot from Hertzog from close range; both saved well from Battery keeper Alex Tambakis.

So another disappointing, frustrating night at Highmark and we are again in the depths of the league table. The coach and players were both positive last night in the progress they are making in learning Brandt’s system, but time is something you don’t have when you’re second from bottom and not getting results, especially at home.

Maybe Danny Earls will be the catalyst to put a little run together and start to get results. The vibe I got from Coach Brandt is that this could be the case and that the guys are really happy to have him back.

Time to move on and hope the worst is over.

#UNLEASH