Portland Hearts of Pine Suffer First Loss At Fitzy Despite Outshooting AV Alta
“We either score four or none. With the amount of chances we generate, it shouldn’t be a shutout.”
Portland Hearts of Pine suffered their first defeat at Fitzpatrick Stadium on Wednesday, losing 2-0 to AV Alta FC.
Hearts started positively, registering nine shots (three on target) during the first half, but it was the visitors who entered the break with a lead after Jerry Desdunes found the back of the net in the 39th minute.
“I thought we started pretty well,” head coach Bobby Murphy said. “Goals change games, right? I would like, at some point, for us to get the type of goal that we give to other people.
“Then the number of chances we miss, it's almost like the margin for error is so slim with us. We can't make a mistake because we can't get on the end of anything. We can't take chances. So that makes the game really hard.”
Hearts pushed for an equalizer in the second 45, with JayTee Kamara hitting the post in the 52nd minute. Nathan Messer got to the loose ball, but couldn’t put his attempt on target.
Ollie Wright had a bid one minute later, but wasn’t able to beat goalkeeper Carlos Avilez.
Alta got their second of the night after Desdunes connected with Walmer Martinez, who hit a long-range shot.
Hearts ended with more shots (16 to 8), shots on target (6 to 3), big chances (3 to 0), and corners (3 to 0).
“You try not to get frustrated at chances as long as you’re creating them, but there’s becoming a common theme here, like it’s either feast or famine,” Murphy said. “We either score four or none. With the amount of chances we generate, it shouldn’t be a shutout.”
Hearts have a quick turnaround as they welcome South Georgia Tormenta FC on Sunday. It’s another opportunity for the club to get three points and rise in the standings.
Murphy hopes to see more nastiness and saviness from his group.
“I think some of it’s experience,” Murphy said when asked how you build those qualities. “But I think some of it’s internal, like it’s an intrinsic thing.
“Winning is the most important thing, and I’m going to do whatever I can to win. People either look for a way out or they’re looking for a way to kick the door in. We've got to find guys who want to kick the door in.”