Vereinigung Erzgebirge drops first NESL Super League match to Christos FC at home

VE lost a hard fought match at home 1-0 to the regional power

By Matthew Ralph@MattRalph_ Oct 8, 2020, 3:57pm EDT

A first half goal from the former national player of the year at Messiah was enough to give visiting Christos FC a 1-0 win over local amateur squad Vereinigung Erzgebirge in the the third match of the inaugural Northeast Elite Soccer League Super League.

VE played host for a beautiful Saturday afternoon of soccer in Warminster against one of the top amateur teams in the region featuring former pros like Jacob Bender, who found the back of the net in the 33rd minute for the game’s only goal.

Bender’s goal came off a counter attack followed a chance down the other end created by VE’s target man Derek Antonini and was perfectly served up by a cross from Khalid Balogun that Bender was able to get to for an easy tap-in at the far post.

VE was able to create a number of chances off dead balls to put pressure on the visitors but Christos FC goalkeeper Chase Vosvick was up the the task keeping the VE attack in check to record the clean sheet.

Christos had multiple chances of their own to add to their narrow lead in the second half but had a ball cleared off the line from a corner kick by Evan Vare on one big chance and Tim Washam made a diving save to tip another goal-bound shot out for a corner. Mike Reese was also his usual reliable self cutting down chances in the back.

The difference in the end was the one chance Christos was able to convert to pick up all three points on the road in the new competition.

Saturday’s game was the second in Super League play after West Chester United opened with a 3-2 win over Jackson Lions. FC Motown drew Safira FC 3-3 on Saturday evening.

VE will visit Jackson Lions and West Chester United will take on Safira FC on the road on the next match day October 17.