RICHMOND, VA --- Jimmy McLaughlin sent a low pass from Matt Bahner past goalie Matt Turner to score a second-half equalizer as FC Cincinnati came away with a 1-1 tie against Richmond Kickers Sat., evening at Richmond City Stadium. The 1-1 result was the third in four matches for the Orange and Blue (2-3-3) while the Kickers (2-4-1) posted their first draw of the year.
“It is not easy to get points in the league on the road,” said Head Coach Alan Koch. “Missing Kenney Walker (knee contusion), Djiby and Andy Craven (suspension) and Justin Hoyte (hamstring) tonight, we knew it was not going to be easy at Richmond. But after a tough first 45 minutes, the boys responded with the required intensity in the second half. We are excited to be coming back home to play in front of our fans now.”
The goal by McLaughlin was his first of the season and came in the 70th minute to erase a one-goal deficit. Kadeem Dacres, who came off the bench just 10 minutes prior, worked with Bahner to set up the opportunity. Bahner slipped a pass to Dacres, who quickly returned the favor, and Bahner carried the ball towards the end line before turning to push a pass to the oncoming McLaughlin.
Richmond took the lead in the eighth minute on what was initially ruled an own goal by FCC but later changed, crediting Fred Owusu Sekyere. Chris Korb ran down an errant Kicker pass in the left corner and after pushing the ball past an FCC defender, struck a low line drive into the box that was deflected into the net by Sekyere.
The first half was a quiet affair as both sides combined for just six total shots with the advantage to the Kickers, 4-2. However, FCC worked to earn four corner kicks in the period. The third, in the 31st minute, saw the Orange and Blue get a shot off after securing the ball from a scrum in front of Richmond’s goal. Austin Berry jumped on a ricochet off a Corben Bone attempt but was denied by Turner, who dove to his left to make the save.
In stoppage time, a strong tackle by Delbridge led to a long ball to McLaughlin who took the ball down the right side for the team’s final corner kick but following a clearance by Richmond the whistle would end the half.
The second half proved to be more aggressive for both teams the Kickers taking nine shots to FCC’s seven.
FCC saw an early opportunity after coming out of the break. Andrew Wiedeman earned a free kick just outside of the box in the 48th minute. Aodhan Quinn delivered a beautiful ball to the far post, looking for Delbridge but the Australian was unable to get on the end of the pass, brushing the ball just wide of the goal.
Delbridge had another opportunity in the 51st minute, taking a shot from 20 yards out but that shot was knocked down by Turner.
Luiz Fernando, who led all players with six shots, had a look at the FCC goal in the 56th minute and Mitch Hildebrandt was equal to the task, covering up the shot for one of his two saves.
Cristian Martinez, on loan from Columbus Crew, made the start for FCC and took one shot in the 58th minute, taking a pass from Weideman but sending the ball high.
Richmond mounted an offensive threat in the 80th minute as Alhaji Kamara nearly gave the Kickers the lead after his header bounced off the crossbar.
FCC was awarded a free kick in the 89th minute after Dacres was fouled from behind but Quinn’s attempt flew high and went untouched.
FCC returns to action next Sat., (May 13) against Orlando City B with kickoff scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
GOAL SUMMARY:
RIC: 7th – own goal by Delbridge
FCC: 70th – Jimmy McLaughlin (Matt Bahner)
STARTING LINEUPS:
FCC: Mitch Hildebrandt, Matt Bahner, Austin Berry, Harrison Delbridge, Tyler Polak, Aodhan Quinn, Corben Bone, Daryl Fordyce, Cristian Martinez, Andrew Wiedeman, Jimmy McLaughlin
RIC: Matt Turner, Alex Lee, Mallan Roberts, Evan Lee, Braeden Troyer, Chris Korb, Owusu Sekyere, Samuel Asante, Luiz Fernando, Oliver Minatel, Kamara Alhaji
