The Blues used a clinical performance in front of the net to beat NCFC U23 in Raleigh and inch closer to their fifth-straight USL League 2 playoff appearance.
The Blues got things started early when Ashton Bilow hopped on an errant pass from the NCFC keeper and one-touch finished it into the right side netting for the opener.
Nine minutes later, Mitch Picksley nearly found another, but his near-post shot was saved by Mason Cranford.
Tommy Viscuso was called into action in the 37th minute and made a great sliding stop from point-blank range to keep the Blues in front. NCFC would level it four minutes later, however, as the match went into the half tied at one.
Newcomer Momo Diop almost broke the deadlock three minutes after the restart, but Cranford made a diving save to push it wide. Liam Jones scored a header off the ensuing corner, but it was called back for a foul.
Diop would not be denied eleven minutes later, however, as he opened his Asheville account to make it 2-1 to the Blues. Great build-up play by the Blues created an opportunity that was blocked, but only as far as Diop on the edge of the box, who tucked his finish into the bottom right corner to restore the Blues’ lead.
Gustavo Barbosa and Bilow both had great opportunities over the next 25 minutes, but neither could find the insurance goal from the Blues. Finally, in the 97th minute, the Asheville lead was doubled courtesy of Lior Holtz. Holtz shuttled the ball from the midfield to around 30 yards out from the goal before he unleashed a screamer into the upper right corner for his first goal of the season and a 3-1 Asheville win.
The Men in Blue wrap up their regular season on the road on July 11th at 7:00 PM when they take on Hickory FC. A point or more from the match would clinch the 5th-straight USL League 2 playoff appearance for the Men in Blue.
