AFC Cleveland added another three points, with four games remaining, to add to their control atop the Great Lakes East Conference. The Royals battled through a very physical FC Buffalo team, winning 2-1.
The saying “there’s no place like home” could not have been more true for the AFC Cleveland Royals tonight at DiSanto Field. After returning from two away losses in a row, the Royals pushed through the heat all evening to secure the victory over FC Buffalo. The Royals came out in the first half extremely aggressive with runs down the flanks.
In the first 10 minutes of the game, Smart Osadolor imposed himself on the Buffalo full backs as he flew up and down the pitch. In the 10th minute Osadolor made a great run down the right side of the field, where he crossed into the middle to find an AFC Cleveland forward, but was unable to score, putting the ball into the side netting.
The scoreless battle would not last long as Buffalo scored an easy goal off the counter attack. After pushing almost eight men forward in attack, Buffalo was able to clear the ball perfectly to Russell Cicerone who knocked it in past Cleveland keeper Spencer Semple. Cicerone used his speed to his advantage, creating space between himself and the last Cleveland defender in the 14th minute.
After scoring FC Buffalo began to force their style on the game. From the pressbox it was easy to see the Buffalo attack form as they pressed into Cleveland’s side of the pitch. Playing a much more patient game forced Royals head coach Aaron McGuiness to make some adjustments. Noticing from earlier that Osadolor was able to make great runs down the outside of the field, the Royals began playing counter attack football.
The move paid off twice in quick succession. In the 37th minute of play, forward Vinny Bell received the ball on the top right side of the 18 yard box. With his close to six inch height advantage, Bell turned his back away from goal and drove in towards the center of the box, ripping a shot with his left foot into the back of the net. It was a great moment for Cleveland as they finally got on the scoreboard.
Moments later in the second minute of added time, Smart Osadolor added another for the Royals. This time receiving a great pass from Bell, who was near the edge of the center circle, Osadolor ran down the right side of the pitch, leaving the Buffalo defender behind him. With a great first touch, Osadolor cut left towards center, followed by a quick shot into the right side’s lower 90. Heading into half, AFC Cleveland lead 2-1 and that would end up being the final score of the evening.
In the second half, Antonio Manfut entered the game as a substitute. After missing some time with injury, Manfut instantly picked up the Royals attack. With instant speed and great ball handling Cleveland was able to regain control of the match.
McGuiness talked about his team after the match, praising their work ethic and desire.
“We have a lot of heart. A lot of passion. The guys come train every session and they want to play. That’s really the gel that’s holding us together.”
With a goal and an assist to his name tonight your Subside Sports Man of the Match is forward Vinny Bell. In a very physical matchup, Bell was able to be a stand-up striker, scoring and distributing well for his team. It was another great performance by Bell who has been a steady scoring threat all year for the Royals. Following the game Bell spoke about the team’s performance.
“I’m happy with it, but not complacent. I started kind of slow, and probably should have had a few more early. It’s a good result and I’m glad.”
Bell also spoke about the team’s difficulty with the Buffalo attack at times.
“When we get up, we can’t stop. We kind of got complacent, sat back, and let them come at us. Luckily our D held, but that won’t be the case all the time so we gotta keep going hard at them.”
With four games remaining, the Royals will face the Erie Admirals FC in three of those matches. It will be important for Cleveland to win most of the matches in hopes of retaining the head of the Great Lakes East Conference.
