The AFC Cleveland Royals capped off their Fourth of July weekend with some fireworks of their own, securing a key three points as the playoffs near. First half goals from Adam Mitchell and TJ Welch helped the Royals defeat the Erie Admirals 2-1.
Tonight’s match was a tale of two halves. In the first 45 minutes tonight the show was all Royals. From the opening minutes tonight, the Cleveland passing attack was on target. Midfielders Antonio Manfut and Smart Osadolar and strikers Vinny Bell and Adam Mitchell worked the touchlines greatly, creating space for each other. It was the great play of Bell and Manfut, which resulted in the first goal.
Manfut threw the ball in from the left hand side of the pitch, just passing over the head of an Erie defender. With Bell receiving the ball, he was able to break away towards goal down the left hand side. Cutting into the center of the pitch, Bell initially faked a shot, taking another few steps, before launching in an attempt. Deflecting off the hand of the Erie keeper, the ball shot to the right side of the pitch where Adam Mitchell was making a run into the box. Keeping cool, Mitchell drilled the ball into the back of the net with ease.
Play temporarily slowed down as both managers tried to regain control of this fast-paced match. For much of the first half, Erie struggled to get the ball into the attacking third. Much credit has to be given to the Royals defense, as they had to shut down 6’3” striker Karl Jones. On crosses and corners, Jones was not able to get a clean attempt at the ball.
Nearing halftime, Cleveland was able to get back onto the score sheet. In the 38th minute, midfielder TJ Welch had one of the goals of the year for Cleveland. Antonio Manfut was able to find Welch, who was roughly 25 yards out from goal, on the right side of the pitch. After shaking a defender, Welch used his right foot to place a magnificent shot into the opposite corner from 22 yards out. The keeper had no chance as he was fully extended to his right and the ball was placed perfectly out of reach.
As the second half began, the momentum shifted into the hands of the Erie Admirals. Shot attempt after shot attempt was aimed at the Royals keeper Spencer Semple. If Semple was not in top form, the score line could have dramatically shifted into Erie’s favor. In the 65th minute of play, a screamer from André Lendell was destined for the back of the net, but a stellar play from Semple knocked the ball out of bounds. As great of a match as Semple had, his shutout was not meant to be. Karl Jones eventually got his name on the score sheet in the 76th minute. After a ball crossed into the box was bounced around, Jones eventually was able to get his boot on it after several failed clearance attempts.
Your Subside Sports Man of the Match is T.J. Welch for his spectacular goal in the first half. In a truly game-changing fashion, Welch was able to kill the momentum for the Admirals and give the Royals a cushion to sit on. Even after scoring, Welch contributed greatly to the passing game and helped out on defense. After the match Welch had this to say about the remaining two games of the season:
“We need to come out with the same intensity that we came out with today, get a lead, and not make it hard on ourselves like we did today. Just come out and play as a team.”
AFC Cleveland will look to clinch a playoff berth this coming Wednesday (July 9) against the Fort Pitt Regiment. With a four point lead over the Erie Admirals with two games remaining, it will be key for the Royals to lock up three points.
