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By Jackson Shoe/NPSL.com
Hickory FC advanced to the NPSL National Championship with a 3–2 win over Ristozi FC, closing out a match that swung in momentum but ultimately favored the home side. A crowd of 6,247 at Moretz Stadium saw Hickory establish control early, protect a two-goal cushion through halftime, and withstand a late surge during an extended period of stoppage time.
The opening 25 minutes featured limited clear chances as both defenses managed transitions effectively. Hickory broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when Ronan O’Mahony converted from close range after a setup by Robbie Deighan. The sequence originated from sustained possession in Ristozi’s half, and O’Mahony’s finish provided Hickory an initial lead.
Hickory doubled its advantage before the interval. In the 43rd minute, newcomer Geoffroy Letienne met an Alvaro Sanchez cross with a decisive header to make it 2–0. It was Letienne’s first goal of the season and underscored Hickory’s advantage on set pieces. The hosts carried that margin into halftime, having limited Ristozi’s touches in dangerous areas and disrupted most forward runs before they reached the penalty area.
Ristozi adjusted after the break by accelerating its transitions and applying more consistent pressure on Hickory’s back line. The visitors were rewarded in the 59th minute when Yohsuke Ono cut the deficit in half with a left-footed strike from inside the box. The goal shifted the tempo, as Ristozi pushed numbers forward and forced Hickory to retreat into a more compact defensive block.
Hickory restored a two-goal cushion seven minutes later. In the 66th minute, Antonio Pineda delivered a measured 40-yard diagonal pass that found Tomas Pollachi in stride. Pollachi finished the chance to put Hickory ahead 3–1, though he required treatment after contact on the play. The goal proved decisive, giving Hickory the separation it needed to manage the final stages.
Ristozi, however, continued to press. The visitors narrowed the margin again deep into stoppage time when Toga Katsuma completed a solo run with a composed finish in the 98th minute. Match officials had added 14 minutes of additional time, reflecting several injury delays and substitutions in the second half. That window provided Ristozi multiple opportunities to equalize, but Hickory’s defensive unit cleared successive crosses and limited second-chance looks in the final moments.
When the final whistle sounded, Hickory had secured the 3–2 result and, with it, a place in the national championship for the first time in club history. The match offered contrasting phases: Hickory’s organized first-half performance and efficient chance conversion versus Ristozi’s higher-tempo approach and late-game pressure. Ultimately, Hickory’s early goals and timely third strike created a margin that endured.
The statistics reflect a balanced contest in which Hickory capitalized on set pieces and direct service, while Ristozi’s possession in advanced areas increased after the interval. Both teams generated scoring opportunities from transition, but Hickory’s ability to convert three of its key chances proved the difference.
Hickory now turns its attention to preparing for a championship stage that will test the same defensive discipline and efficiency in attack that carried the club through this match. Ristozi exits after a performance that nearly forced extra time, particularly with the late goal and sustained pressure during stoppage. For Hickory, the task will be to replicate the composure shown in the closing minutes and maintain the balance between proactive play and resilient defending that defined this 3–2 victory.
Photo Credit: Ernie Masche/NPSL.com
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