Playoff Match Report: Vermont Green FC 4-1 Hudson Valley Hammers

Vermont Green FC defeated Hudson Valley Hammers 4-1 on Friday night in the USL League Two Playoffs, Round of 32. After going down a goal early in the second half, the Green responded with nine-minute, second-half hattrick from Arnaud Tattevin. Ryan Zellefrow added a fourth goal in the 90th minute. Vermont Green FC now advance to the Round of 16, and will face top-ranked FC Motown at Virtue Field on Sunday at 6pm.

Chris Taylor’s Round of 32 Starting XI began with Niklas Herceg in goal. Gabe Fernandez, Moussa Ndiaye, Brandon Marshall, and Rui Aoki manned the back line. In the center, Brandon Parrish lined up next to Julien Le Bourdoulous, with Zach Zengue in front of them in the attacking midfielder position. David Ajagbe and Alexander Hall played as wingers, and Arnaud Tattevin led the line.

The Green and the Hammers spent the first 45 minutes of the match exchanging half-chances, with neither side finding a breakthrough.

The first half ended 0-0. The tension was palpable at the jam-packed Virtue Field.

After the break, Chris Taylor made one switch, replacing Brandon Parrish with Eskil Gjerde.

In the 47th minute, Hammers struck first through a goal from Nick Zielonka, who curled an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

The Green absorbed the blow, and prepared to answer back immediately. What happened next will go down in Vermont Green legend:

52’ – David Ajagbe is taken down in the box. Arnaud Tattevin steps up to the spot and buries his penalty. 1-1.

56’ – Arnaud Tattevin once again finds the back of the net, latching on to an Alex Hall cross and poking it past the keeper. Virtue Field erupts. 2-1.

61’ – The Green earn a second penalty as Arnaud Tattevin is taken down by the keeper, and completes his hattrick from the penalty spot. 3-1.

Maxi Kissel, Owen O’Malley, Diego Rived, Ryan Zellefrow, and Ian Abbey were all called upon by Chris Taylor in the second half to see out the match.

In the 90th minute, Owen O’Malley found the ball alone and charged towards the Hudson Valley box. After holding up the ball, the Hero of Lusitano laid the ball off to Ryan Zellefrow, who jolted past the defender and buried an insurance goal.

Vermont Green FC will now look ahead to Sunday as they prepare for the undefeated FC Motown in the Round of 16. Another massive night at Virtue Field awaits, and the club will look to advance past the Round of 16 for the first time in club history.

Get ready for a battle in the Green Mountains.

Lineups

Vermont Green FC — Niklas Herceg, Rui Aoki, Moussa Ndiaye, Brandon Marshall, Gabe Fernandez, Julien Le Bourdoulous, Brandon Parrish, David Ajagbe, Zach Zengue, Alex Hall, Arnaud Tattevin.

Subs — Judewellin Michel, Ryan Zellefrow, Diego Rived, Eskil Gjerde, Ask Ekeland, Owen O’Malley, Sam McCann, Ian Abbey, Maximilian Kissel.

Hudson Valley Hammers — Ciaran Dalton, Alejo Caceres, Sebastian Rojek, Vincent Akanbo, Kyle Evans, Nicholas Zielonka, Francesco Diponzio, Francis Bonsu, Joseph Dipreta, Trusten Lehmann-Karp, Alexander Wyant.

Subs — Matheus Franca, Nico Rubino, Liam Evans, Joseph Kresse, Steven Arias, Diego Rodriguez, Demir Calkap, Joel Jaime.

Scoring Summary

VGFC: Arnaud Tattevin — 52’ (penalty), Arnaud Tattevin — 61’ (assist from Alex Hall), Arnaud Tattevin — 61’ (penalty), Ryan Zellefrow — 90′ (assist from Owen O’Malley).

HVH: Nicholas Zielonka — 47′ (assist from Kyle Evans).

Maple Man of the Match: Arnaud Tattevin

Referees: Fabio Cardoso (R), Damien Jarrett (AR1), Michele Beagan (AR2), Elvis Jandric (4th)

Weather: Warm summer evening, 77°F

Attendance: 2,700+ (sold out)

Post Match Quotes

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Next Match

It’s the USL League Two Playoffs Round of 16! Vermont Green will host FC Motown on Sunday, July 20th at 6pm. Tickets are SOLD OUT.

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