Spoken Velocity beat Greenville Triumph 2:1 on Saturday in the Group Stage of USL League One. The hosts took all three points at home, moving to 38 points and fifth place in the table. Greenville remain in 14th with 23 points from 22 games.
Z. Bubb turned the ball into his own net in the 27th minute and that proved enough for the break. L. Opara doubled the lead from the spot in the 30th minute after P. Seagrist picked up a yellow card in the previous minute. The visitors could not respond before the interval and the hosts led comfortably.
A. Patti added a second goal for Spoken Velocity in the 55th minute and the game was effectively settled. Greenville made changes in the second half with J. Denton and N. Brett coming on together in the 70th minute, while K. Fritz was introduced earlier. Spoken Velocity brought on J. Gallardo in the 78th minute and then paired M. Nour with C. Evans in the 83rd.
The statistics tell the wider story. Both sides held 50 per cent possession but Spoken Velocity were far more clinical with nine shots on target compared to two for the visitors. The hosts converted at 56 per cent accuracy while Greenville managed just 22 per cent. Eight corners to five reflected the pressure on the visitors throughout.
This result closes the gap on the mid-table sides and extends Spoken Velocity's winning momentum. They have won 12 of 21 games this season and the three-point margin puts pressure on the teams above them. Greenville's run of five draws in their last seven matches continues and the gap to safety remains stubborn.