FC Indiana and FC Columbus were both looking to avenge losses last week before their final matches of the season. Columbus were arguably favorites in the encounter as they came into the match two places above Indiana in the NPSL Great Lakes Conference standings and had hammered them 5-1 in their last meeting.
Damani Camara opened the scoring in the fourth minute after a fantastic ball driven low with pace from Jonathan Barnes. The lead nearly doubled after Camara found Barnes alone at the far post to force a save from Kyle Bugay. After 25 minutes of dominance from Columbus, Indiana was able to slow the game down and get a greater share of possession without any reward other than a header from Jonathan Harkin off a corner which sailed just high off the bar.
The second half began with Columbus getting the better of the chances but Indiana started to see control of the ball more after the 60th minute. The visitor’s patience in possession and constant pressure nearly resulted in a goal after Joseph Musgrave came to the rescue saving a point-blank header off a corner in the 73rd minute.
But against the run of play, Camara was able to find the back of the net for his second after a great pass from Kamal Mohammed split two defenders.
“We had to sit in a little bit but we stayed organized, stayed together as a team, and luckily we capitalized on a counter which shifted the momentum,” said FC Columbus defender Joseph Brush after the clean sheet.
Kamal Mohammed clinched the game officially with a beautiful shot from a tight angle sailed into the upper 90. The match ended 4-0 with Mohammed getting the final goal and both him and Camara nearly getting a hat trick each.
“I’m a team player, I like to score but I am even happier we were able to pull off the big win,” said Mohammed when asked if he was disappointed to be just shy of the hat trick.
“Consistency and cohesiveness will be key to next season for us. We gave up too many sloppy goals thoughout the season,” said Brush reflecting on the season. “But ending on a positive note is huge for the offseason. We want to come back next year and make it even better.”
