Deri Corfe (Wright State / Chester, England) continues his impressive form during the 2019 USL League Two campaign by adding another goal to his tally against NPSL side Philadelphia Lone Star FC on Wednesday night at Carey Stadium ("The Beach House"). Corfe’s goal doesn’t count toward his goalscoring total in league play (he is tied for the league lead with 12), but the midfielder has four goals in his last two games.

Unfortunately, Corfe’s goal was canceled out by a Nor’easter own-goal to level up the match, which eventually ended in a 1-1 draw.

Photo: Dave O'Sullivan | Glory Days Magazine

The scheduled 7 p.m. start was pushed back 35 minutes, however, the minor delay didn’t stop either team from taking chances early on. In the 12th minute, Corfe made his way through the Lone Star defense and uncorked a shot to test Vincent Tasca for the first time of the night. Corfe’s shot traveled just wide of the net.

In the 22nd minute, the physicality of both teams lead to the first card of the match, a red, for the Philadelphia Lone Star captain. Ryan Inman (High Point / Birmingham, England) and the Lone Star skipper battled for the ball before the opposing midfielder tackled Inman to gain possession of the ball. The head referee blew the whistle for a foul on the opposing player which is when tempers flared. Angry with the referee’s call, the Lone Star captain shoved Inman and pushed Nor’easter keeper Jan Hoffelner (St. John’s University / Frankfurt, Germany) to the ground. Both teams got in each other’s faces and the official issued a red card for the Lone Star skipper’s actions, leaving the visitors down to 10 men for the rest of the match.

Four minutes after the altercation, Marco Torino (St. Peters Univ. / Rome, Italy) had the best scoring opportunity since Corfe’s chance in the 12th minute. Torino received the ball, saw that the opposing keeper was off his line and decided to go for goal. Torino chipped the ball over the keeper, but a Lone Star defender was there to clear the ball before it traveled into the back of the net.

The first substitution of the match saw Brandon Smalley (Florida Tech / Bridlington, England) come on for Inman in the 29th minute. Five minutes after the substitution, Corfe received a pass from Joni Gjyleri (Rutgers Camden / Egg Harbor Township, NJ), made his way down the left flank, beat a couple of Lone Star defenders, cut inside and shot right past Tasca to give the Nor’easters a 1-0 lead.

In the 44th minute, the second card of the match, this time a yellow, was again issued to the opposition because of a late tackle. The Nor’easters carried a 1-0 lead going into halftime.

Photo: Dave O'Sullivan | Glory Days Magazine

In the 52nd minute, it looked like the Nor’easters were going to double their lead. Inman received a bouncing ball and ripped a shot from 30 yards out, only to see the ball nail the crossbar. Four minutes later, Gjyleri received a through ball from Michele Bennati (Genova, Italy). Gjyleri tried slotting the ball past Tasca but Tasca came up with the sliding kick save.

 

 

Hoffelner was subbed out for the first time all season in the 65th minute. 18-year-old Austin Coron (Catholic University of America / Malvern, PA) replaced Hoffelner to make his Nor’easter debut. Six minutes after the goalkeeper substitution, Philadelphia Lone Star had a free kick from 50 yards out. The ball traveled into the Nor’easter box and met the head of Gustavo Fernandes (Stony Brook / West Babylon, NY). Due to a miscommunication, the ball went over Corron’s head and into the back of the net, tying the game at 1-1.

Fernandes looked like he gave the Nor’easters the lead after he scored on a header in the 83rd minute. Unfortunately, the sideline referee signaled offside and the goal was called off.

The third card of the game, another yellow, was issued to the opposition in the 88th minute on another tackle-from-behind call. After no stoppage time, the referee blew the whistle for the final time, as the scoreboard read 1-1

Seven players made their Nor’easter debuts during the 1-1 draw: 18-year-olds Austin Coron (Malvern HS), Michele Bennati, Julian Cruz (Atlantic County Tech), and Hunter Paone (Ocean City HS), as well as 19-year-old Harrison Coron (Drexel University), Brad Bischoff (Rider University) and Zach DiDonato (California Polytechnic / Burlingame, CA).

The Nor’easters are still unbeaten at home during the 2019 season with a home record of 7-0-2 (all competitions included) and are unbeaten in their last five exhibition games (4-0-1).

In addition to his league-leading 12 goals, Corfe has also scored a goal in each of the team's exhibition games.

One more game remains in the 2019 campaign as the Nor’easters look to preserve their home unbeaten streak and remain in second place in the Mid Atlantic Division as they take on the Long Island Rough Riders this Sunday, July 14 at the Beach House. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.