CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery scored five minutes into the second half to take a 1-0 victory against the Charlotte Independence on Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium. The Battery opened the game the brighter of the two teams, but Charlotte’s Enzo Martinez forced a good early save by Charleston’s Alex Tambakis with a shot to the right corner. Neither side was able to break the deadlock before the break, however, as the game went to halftime scoreless. The Independence got the first big chance of the second half as Brian Brown broke in alone, but shot well wide of the left post, and moments later the Battery took the lead as Ataullah Guerra set up Maikel Chang for a simple finish five minutes into the second half. Martinez hit the crossbar soon after as Charlotte looked to hit back quickly, while Yann Ekra also hit the woodwork with just over 15 minutes to go for the visitors with a fierce shot from 20 yards. Ekra was then denied with three minutes to go by another spectacular save by Tambakis, while Romario Williams was denied by Charlotte’s John Berner on a counter-attack moments later for the Battery,  but the Battery held on to take a big victory.

Scoring: 
50’ – CHS – Maikel Chang (Ataullah Guerra)

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Charleston rode its luck on Saturday night after scoring a nice goal thanks to a clever move and pass by Ataullah Guerra, but that won’t matter until the side returns to training after it made a two-spot move up the standings after it victory on Saturday night. The Battery can now prepare for a clash with long-standing rival Richmond on Wednesday night in the knowledge a victory on the road would move the side back into the top four at a very opportune time for its playoff push.

• 2. The Independence will rightly feel a bit hard-done by after Yann Ekra’s strong finish from 20 yards appeared to go off the underside of the crossbar, over the goal-line and out, only for the potential equalizer not to be awarded. It summed up the night for the Independence, who aside from Ekra’s chance either saw their good chances saved by Alex Tambakis, or fired off target as the side’s six-game undefeated streak came to an end. With another big clash FC Cincinnati arrives on Wednesday night, the Independence will have to shake off Saturday night quickly.

• 3. The victory for the Battery not only moved it ahead of the Independence in the standings, it took one of the closest battles for the Southern Derby in a long time. The Battery claimed the three-way rivalry trophy on goals scored after the two teams finished level on seven points and seven on +1 goal differential, meaning the Battery’s six goals to the Independence’s five handed them the three-way rivalry trophy that also includes Wilmington Hammerheads FC.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Ataullah Guerra, Charleston Battery – Guerra served up what proved to be the game-winning goal on a platter for Maikel Chang, and it ended up proving the difference as the Battery downed its regional rival.

Upcoming Games:

Charleston Battery at Richmond Kickers – Aug. 31, 7 p.m. ET, City Stadium

Charlotte Independence vs. FC Cincinnati – Aug. 31, 7 p.m. ET, Ramblewood Stadium