Battery earns a draw with Portsmouth

Charleston Battery defender Colin Falvey and midfielder Nicki Paterson felt like they were home in England again.

Despite several quality scoring chances from both teams, the Charleston Battery and Portsmouth FC, a team from the English League Championship, played to a scoreless draw in an exhibition match Wednesday night before a crowd of 3,345 at Blackbaud Stadium.

A year ago, Bolton, a team from the elite English Premier League, defeated the Battery, 2-0, in a similar exhibition match.

For Falvey, a native of Ireland, and Paterson, a native of Scotland, it was a chance to hear their native tongue again.

"There were times out there when I could close my eyes and feel like I was back home," Paterson said. "Their movement is world class. You can tell some of these guys played at the top level in the Premiership. They move the ball so well and their passes are right on your feet. We were pretty tired at halftime after chasing them around for 45 minutes."

Falvey began his professional career in Ireland, and Portsmouth's crisp passing and constant movement were a reminder of what he left behind when he came to the United States.

"It was nice to hear all the familiar accents," Falvey said. "There are little sayings, a turn of phrase, that is unique to English football that you don't hear over here. It was nice to hear again. It took some of the guys a little while to get used to their style, but I knew the way they were going to come out and move the ball around. That's the way I grew up playing."

Several of the Portsmouth players exchanged jerseys with their Battery opponents. Paterson was smart to ask Portsmouth midfielder Liam Lawrence for his No. 7 jersey before the game.

"I knew a couple of the guys might want it, but I asked first," Paterson said.

The weather, which was actually mild compared to recent days, seemed to slow down Portsmouth's attack. The temperature was a balmy 80 degrees at kickoff. Portsmouth has been in the Lowcountry for the last two weeks preparing for their season opener next weekend.

"I thought we looked really tired tonight," said Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill. "I thought we looked better in the second half than we did in the first half. We looked like we had had a hard two weeks here, which we did. I thought we looked dead on our feet."

Paterson said several Portsmouth players complained about the weather conditions during the game.

"A couple of guys asked me how I played over here in the heat," Paterson said. "I told them it was actually comfortable tonight."

Portsmouth nearly scored on a set piece just five minutes into the second half. Lawrence sent a searching ball into the six-yard box on a corner kick that found the head of defender Hermann Hreidarsson. But backup keeper Keith Wiggans made a diving stop to end the threat.

"I just happen to get a hand on it," Wiggans said. "We were pretty tired in the second half."

The Battery nearly scored in the 63rd minute on a miscue by Portsmouth keeper Jamie Ashdown. After a cross from the Battery, Ashdown attempted to throw the ball to one of his defenders. Charleston striker Levi Coleman stepped in front of the ball just inside the 18-yard box and a clear net to shoot at. However, Coleman's half-volley just missed wide of the net.

"I rushed my shot a little bit," Coleman said. "I didn't get all of it. I'll be thinking about that chance for a couple of days."

Charleston had another excellent scoring chance in the 68th minute on a beautiful long ball played to striker Jon Gruenewald. Gruenewald came storming down the right flank, cutting back to the middle of the field on Hreidarsson just inside the 18-yard box. Gruenewald got the ball on his left foot and took a shot that Ashdown got a foot on to keep it out of the net.

"Jon had a great chance, but give credit to their goalie," said Charleston Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser.

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