Match Report: Vermont Green FC 4-0 Seacoast United

Vermont Green FC defeated the defending National Champions Seacoast United Phantoms 4-0 on Saturday night. David Ajagbe, Arnaud Tattevin, Zach Zengue, and Eskil Gjerde were the goalscorers. Niklas Herceg kept a clean sheet in goal. 

Chris Taylor called upon a strong starting XI for this Twin State Derby, starting with his keeper Niklas Herceg. Moussa Ndiaye was partnered with the stoic University of Vermont transfer Rui Aoki, with Luca Costabile and Amoni Thomas starting as wingbacks. In the center of the midfield, Julien Le Bourdoulous and Joseph Picotto sat behind captain Zach Zengue. At the left-wing position, Taylor called upon David Ajagbe for his first league start, mirrored by the ever-consistent Enzo Dovlo out right. Arnaud Tattevin was at the tip of the spear.

Despite the heavy rain, the Green came out of the gate with intent and control, flying up the wings and levying a handful of heavy tackles on the champions. In just the 5th minute, David Ajagbe split two defenders on the left wing and tucked the ball into the far corner of the net from a difficult angle, lighting a fire that would burn through the night.

In the 25th minute, the tricky winger Enzo Dovlo delivered a pinpoint aerial cross to his countryman Arnaud Tattevin, who rose up to head the ball past a flat-footed Tobias Jahn, doubling the lead for the Vermonters.

The half ended 2-0 to the Green. The Vermonters went into the break confident but unsatisfied, well aware that the New Hampshire club have come from behind in this fixture more than once before.

The second half began as the first did—the Green firing on all cylinders. Zach Zengue put the ball in the back of the net, but was ruled offside by a whisker.

A few minutes later, Zengue would get his goal, smashing home a low cross from Enzo Dovlo. At 3-0, the Green were running riot.

In the 74th minute, Norwegian big man Eskil Gjerde poked home a corner kick from Le Bourdoulous with his left foot, extending the lead to 4-0.

The Vermonters would see the match out in professional fashion, solidifying a 4-0 win and moving into first place in the Northeast Division with 9 points and zero goals conceded after three matches. The victory was the biggest win in the history of the Twin State Derby.

Scoring Summary

VGFC: David Ajagbe — 5′, Arnaud Tattevin — 25′ (assist from Enzo Dovlo), Zach Zengue — 57′ (assist from Arnaud Tattevin), Eskil Gjerde (assist from Julien Le Bourdoulous).

SCUP: No goals.