RECAP | Silverbacks 2, RailHawks 1

Only one survived in Saturday night’s meeting of unbeaten sides at WakeMed Soccer Park during a Week 3 clash in the North American Soccer League (NASL) Spring Season. The Atlanta Silverbacks held on to seal head coach Gary Smith’s first NASL victory, 2-1, over the Carolina RailHawks after Shaka Bangura and Jonathan Okafor put away second-half strikes.

“We knew coming in that Carolina is a strong team, and they always defend their home pitch very well,” Smith said. “I think it’s fair to say that we didn’t play the strongest first half, and I just told the boys to take control of the game coming out of halftime. The two goals were fantastic strikes; they were just absolutely beautiful balls.”

Carolina (1-1-1, four points) held a share of first place before kickoff while the Silverbacks (1-0-2, five points) entered with two points off two season-opening draws. The New York Cosmos claimed sole possession of the top spot in the standings with a 2-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, with a No. 1 against  No. 2 meeting between Atlanta and New York looming on April 25 at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

A scoreless first-half stalemate was quickly shattered in the 49th minute when Bangura blasted a failed RailHawks clearance from the top of the 18-yard box. Paul Black scorched the left touchline before crossing a low ball toward the six-yard box. After Carolina pushed the clearance into space at the top of the box, a full-tilt Bangura laced a right-footed rocket into the corner of the net.

The goal is Bangura’s second in three matches, tying him for the league lead with the Cosmos’ Leo Fernandes and Carolina’s Nacho Novo.

“I was just playing my assignment, covering the top of the box,” Bangura said. “The ball fell for me, and I was able to run onto it and put a good strike on it. As soon as I touched it, I knew it was going to be on frame. Scoring is the only way for forwards to build confidence, and I’m glad to do my part.”

Okafor latched the tip of his outstretched left foot onto a near-post Kyle Miller cross for the eventual game-winner in the 68th minute. Substituted into the match for Bangura just seconds earlier, Hans Denissen was ripped down about 35 yards out and in the center of the pitch.

The restart was played down the right wing, where Miller floated an inch-perfect ball to three yards in front of goal. Okafor’s sliding touch slipped past a frozen Hunter Gilstrap for the two-goal lead.

“My goal was more of a result of our great team play,” Okafor said. “Kyle’s cross was only going to one place, and I ran to it, but the team was building up to that moment, and I was able to put it away. It’s a good feeling, but it was for the team.”

The RailHawks fought off the clean sheet, scoring in the 82nd minute when Blake Wagner slotted a rebound into the back of the Silverbacks’ net. Silverbacks C.J. Cochran punched off Carolina’s initial attack, but the ball fell at Wagner’s feet, and he struck it pure.

The Silverbacks, fresh off their first win of the season, return home to host the New York Cosmos, while the Carolina RailHawks visit Indy Eleven. Both matches will kick off on April 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET.