Asheville pulled within one point of the Atlanta Silverbacks in the standings after a big 3–2 win at FC Carolina United on Saturday night in Charlotte. The Blues were led by a hat trick from forward Elma N’For, who has taken this league by storm over the last couple of matches.

The match got off to an almost comically productive start, with three goals in the first five and half minutes. FC Carolina got on the board first in the 3rd minute with a goal from Fabricio Barancoski. But Asheville quickly struck twice to take the lead.

Elma N’For was the man of the match without a doubt, and he secured it before the 6 minute mark: he scored twice in 40 seconds. Once at the 4:50 mark on an assist from Ryan Murphy, and then again at 5:30 from Mitchell Botfield.

Elma N’For scored all 3 goals for the Blues in their 3–2 win (Photo Credit: Alex Hamilton)

Asheville kept the pressure on and attempted the long ball several times, creating some great opportunities, but nothing came to fruition. Meanwhile, on the sidelines Asheville fans shocked another sedate home crowd with their loud chants and shenanigans.

The South Slope Blues are very fortunate (almost spoiled) with their home situation at Memorial Stadium. The fans (read: “we”) are actually shocked to find that the other stadiums we have encountered thus far don’t hoot and holler the entire game, don’t sell alcohol, and give plenty of disapproving looks to boisterous fans.

A penalty kick to take the lead for FC Carolina rang off the crossbar (photo credit: Alex Hamilton)

Anywho, the start of the second half saw FC Carolina United come out strong and tie it up in the 62nd minute on a beautiful finish from Junior Nyemb after singlehandedly carving up the Blues defense.

And then, in the 65th minute, it appeared FCCU were going to take the lead when Asheville gave up a PK for the second straight match. Instead, Nyemb ripped it off the crossbar and the game remained tied… for a few more minutes.

Asheville City took that momentum and ran with it. Cameron Saul took a pass just outside the 18' and dribbled through a couple United defenders, drawing the keeper to the left side of the box before finding N’For in the center of the box for an easy strike into the net, completing the first ever hat trick in the young club’s career. Then the Blues were able to hold off any last minute attacks the United put forth, and closed out another big win.

The win brings ACSC’s record to 3–1–2 with 8 points, currently good enough for second place in the Eastern Division. They face an undefeated Inter Nashville FC squad this Saturday in Nashville at 7:30 with a chance to take the lead in the division with the win.

(Photo Credit: Alex Hamilton)

As we learned from the Memphis game, a 7:30pm game time is local time. So to make it perfectly clear, the watch party held at Hi-Wire this Saturday is for an 8:30pm ET kickoff!

Nashville has a good following, sells beer, AND they play indoors, which is pretty sweet, so for those of you who can make the trek, it should be a pretty fun experience. And I think Inter Nashville is just about due for their first loss of the year. #PTCB!