Down a point against visitors Asheville City SC and needing a win to secure a spot in the playoffs, Hickory FC failed to get the job done, creating very little in a tough match against another set of visitors from the mountains. The night started off fast, with an opportunity from each side presenting itself within the first 10 minutes. Asheville with the first in the 4th minute, after a quick give and go inside the box turned into a shot that deflected off the post. Hickory would follow up in the 10th minute with midfielder Tate Asante delivering a cross to forward Thomas Pollacchi, who collected the cross and delivered back to Asante who missed on the header.
However, after this quick start, both sides stagnated for the remainder of the half. Hickory nor Asheville could afford to lose, so a safe first half appeared to be the playbook for both clubs, with neither wanting to chase the other for a majority of the match.
The second half started with a bit more intensity as expected, with Hickory FC starting to press and push the ball forward with a sense of urgency, however the first major opportunity came for Asheville in the 57th minute, with a cross coming from the left into the right side of the box, where Asheville missed a wide open chance wide right of the net. Asheville kept pushing, and had another chance with a mis-timed header in the 62nd minute. Hickory kept pushing, but much of the second half felt like the first.
Hickory would eventually earn a corner in the 80th minute, taken by midfielder Ronan O´Mahony. The ball bounced around in the box after the cross, but no one was there to capitalize for the hosts, and Asheville managed to clear the ball. Minutes later in the 84th, Hickory FC managed another opportunity after earning a free kick, with a cross into the box collected by Asheville´s keeper, but then momentarily fumbled into the box before stumbling to recollect the ball. Another free kick was won just outside the box for Hickory in the 88th minute, with winger David De La Vibora attempting a curling shot that was saved right into the keeper’s arms. A corner was won in the 90th minute, with the corner being punched away by Asheville. Winger Amare Lucas took a long shot in the 93rd, but this was also right to the keeper, who bobbled it around again amidst a lurking James Lane. Asheville nearly won it with a shot from outside the box in the 95th, but this was saved by Miklosi. Hickory would have one last chance in the final moments pushing the ball up the pitch, with right back Luke Munson sliding the ball into the box, amidst players from both sides of the box creating chaos as the ball bounced around with no shot being taken. Asheville ultimately won a free kick, which ended the match.
Hickory´s playoff fate now awaits the result of mountain rivals Appalachian FC and their match against SC United Bantams. An Appalachian FC win will eliminate Hickory from the playoffs, but a draw or a loss will keep Hickory in third and award them a playoff spot, to be played Monday July 13th against Charlotte Independence 2.
