BOSTON CITY FC AND RHODE ISLAND REDS FINISH WITH 3-3 DRAW

Isaac Nana Addai scored a hat-trick for Boston City against his former club, but the Rhode Island Reds returned home with a point from an entertaining 3-3 draw.

The Lions finished the match frustrated at a second home stalemate in the National Premier Soccer League, yet showed resilience in twice battling back from a deficit to rescue something from a contest that seemed to have slipped away.

“It was great to score a hat-trick against my former team, but we wanted the win,” said Addai.  “I want to play like this and score this against whoever we are playing.  But I’m pleased to have scored my first goals for Boston City.”

Addai, the 2016 NPSL Golden Boot and Golden Ball winner who was signed from the Reds this offseason, might have scored twice more when clean through on goal in each half.  A poor touch cost him the first time after 36 minutes and Nils Leifhelm was able to save, then he lofted a finish over the bar in the 74th minute on the end of a Homero Morais pass.

Addai scored twice from the penalty spot to wipe out a 2-0 Reds lead in the first half.  The visitors struck against the run of play after 12 minutes when a Ronaldinho Diniz shot from 25 yards eluded the outstretched dive of Vitor Scariot at the left far post.  Six minutes later on the counter attack, a similar Diniz effort this time was parried by Scariot, but into the path of Fabrice Dogbey, who tapped in the rebound.

The Lions were down 2-0 but not out as after 25 minutes Jhonata Batista was tripped inside the penalty area in full stride by Elimane Seye and Addai coolly slipped a left-footed spot kick home.  Six minutes later it was 2-2 as Batista was again fouled in the box, this time while challenging for the ball with James Myall, and Addai chose the opposite side to send the keeper the wrong way with his second penalty.

Fifteen minutes from time, Fernando Baptista spotted a misalignment in the way the Boston City wall had lied up and found enough space to fire inside the right hand post for a 3-2 lead with Scariot guarding the opposite upright.

The Lions refused to concede three points and six minutes from time, Gilly Desouza made a fake run at a free kick and as the keeper reacted, Addai curled a perfectly struck finish from 25 yards out into the top left corner.