West Chester United rally comes up short, NPSL season ends in loss to FC Motown

A weather delay, crunching fouls, counter attack goals, balls cleared off the line, controversial no calls. The NPSL Keystone Conference semifinal between West Chester United and FC Motown had it all.

The second-seeded Predators fell behind early on a punishing counter attack goal from Stephen Elias in the 4th minute. Last year’s NPSL finalists made it 2-0 on Michael Knapp’s header at the far post after a Marcus Hackett cross from the right flank.

Motown made it 3-0 in the 37th minute when 6-foot-7 Cape May Court House, N.J. native Joseph Fala got on the end of a bouncing ball in the box and got it past Pierre Gardan. West Chester wanted a foul to be called on the play against Fala who appeared to push off on defender Christian Williams prior to heading the ball into the back of the net.

Vito Vincent came on for West Chester in the second half and ended up being a key player in the second half with his long throws, which set up a pair of chances that led to goals and a couple other opportunities.

The first chance found the head of Chris Donovan for the finish to make it 3-1 in the 56th minute. The second ended up a goal for Evan Vare after Troy Amspacher, who later hit woodwork in his free kick attempt at tying the game, served a ball in from just outside the box in the 72nd minute.

Controlling most of the possession and pressing Motown back, West Chester created a slew of chances — a couple were cleared off the line, including one that looked like it could have been a handball and Donovan had a great chance with a header off a corner that went over the bar — but ultimately could not find a third goal to stay alive in the match.

It was a cruel result for West Chester given how much they controlled the tempo and the possession in the second half. With the loss, they finish the 2019 campaign with a 7-3-1 overall record.