 Reggie Lambe in Action IslandStats.com
While the buildup for both the Vancouver Whitecaps and Reggie Lambe and his Toronto FC teammates prior to opening day centered around some new arrivals, it was a familiar face who proved the difference at BC Place, as Gershon Koffie’s 60th-minute strike proved decisive.
The play started with a knockdown header from Darren Mattocks. Lee Young-Pyo collected the ball and played a one-two with Kenny Miller, then slotted the ball into Daigo Kobayashi. The Japanese midfielder, who joined the Vancouver Whitecaps this offseason, then claimed the first assist of his MLS career with a cool lay-off that teed up Koffie for the shot. The Ghanaian hammered what would prove to be the winner past TFC goalkeeper Joe Bendik.
Nahki Wells
Nahki Wells and his Bradford City teammates gained a valuable three points in their play-off quest after securing a 2-0 win at Yorkshire rivals York.
In an even opening it was Bradford who forced the first effort on goal with top scorer Wells seeing his effort blocked by Chris Smith on the edge of the area.
Prior to half time, York City had a glorious chance to open the scoring through Jason Walker but Carl McHugh blocked his effort on the line after rounding Jon McLaughlin.
Garry Thompson is brought on for Wells in the 55th minute after the Bermudian seemingly picked up a slight knock minutes earlier.
Midway through the second half both goalkeepers were called into action with McLaughlin denying Matty Blair before Michael Ingham produced two saves in quick succession from Kyle Reid and Andrew Davies.
The breakthrough finally came in the 75th minute courtesy of James Hanson as he powerfully headed home Stephen Darby's cross with the ball squirming between Ingham's legs.
Bradford City wrapped up the points four minutes from time as substitute Garry Thompson capitalized on a slip from Jack O'Connell to race away and fire past the keeper.
Jonte Smith
Jonte Smith was an unused substitute as his Crawley Town teammate Jamie Proctor scored his first goals for the club to help keep his side's slim play-off hopes alive with a deserved victory at Gigg Lane.
Proctor, signed from Swansea in January, struck for the first time since October 2011 in the 16th minute when he controlled a pass from Mike Jones on his chest before hitting a left-footed half-volley past Bury goalkeeper Trevor Carson from 15 yards.
Crawley posed far more problems than their struggling hosts in the first half and referee Richard Clark pointed to the spot in the 27th minute after Jake Taylor had been brought down before spotting an assistant's flag for offside.
Proctor scored again two minutes into the second half when he planted a firm header from Nicky Adams' cross past a helpless Carson and after that the visitors were content to soak up pressure and try and hit Bury on the break.
Kevin Blackwell's strugglers seldom threatened although Craig Fagan twice fired off target from good positions in the second half, while Crawley goalkeeper Paul Jones made a good save from Mark Carrington's volley, but lackluster Bury remain deep in relegation trouble.
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