BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Bethlehem Steel FC got a goal and assist from Eric Ayuk as it took a 2-1 victory against the Richmond Kickers on Sunday afternoon at Goodman Stadium. Derrick Jones also scored for the Steel as the hosts ended the Kickers’ undefeated start to the season.

The Steel (2-2-0, 6pts) got out to a good start as Gabe Gissie fired an early shot wide of the right post, and the hosts remained on the front foot throughout the opening 10 minutes. Bethlehem earned four corner kicks in that span, but weren’t able to take advantage as twice Kickers goalkeeper Ryan Taylor punched clear.

The Kickers (2-1-1, 7pts) almost caught the Steel with a counter-attack as Brian Ownby scooted into the left side of the penalty area, but while his shot got past goalkeeper John McCarthy, Auston Trusty trailed back to clear the ball off the goal line.

The scare did little to rattle the Steel, who continued to control the majority of possession. Ayuk and Seku Conneh almost combined to give the side the lead in the 18th minute, but Taylor made a spectacular save to deny Conneh’s point-blank volley.

Four minutes later, the Steel took the lead. A break through the middle by Cole Missimo drew defenders before a backheel found Ayuk. The 19-year-old’s shot from 20 yards took a deflection that wrong-footed Taylor, and found the left corner of the net.

Richmond had its first sustained spell of pressure around the half-hour mark, but were unable to find a similar clear look on goal that came to Ayuk for the Steel in the 31st minute when his shot from the top of the area flashed over the Kickers’ crossbar.

The Steel maintained their one-goal lead to the halftime break, and then struck again a minute into the second half. Ayuk was again at the center of the move, as he stole possession near the halfway line and broke forward. After checking up to wait for support, he slipped a pass to Jones, who cut onto his right foot and sent home a low finish to the left corner for his first professional goal.

The Kickers responded almost immediately on Yudai Imura’s third goal of the season. After a corner from the left was deflected toward the top of the penalty area, the Japanese midfielder was quick to react, and drove a low finish in off the left post.

The quick response accelerated the action, as both teams looked to grab control of the game. McCarthy punched a shot by Ownby from the left side of the penalty area to safety for the Steel, while Bethlehem’s Gissie forced a save from Taylor low at the left post after a deflected cross came to him at the top of the penalty area.

The Kickers tried to get back on level terms late on, as William Yomby sent a header on goal from a corner that was easily stopped by McCarthy. The Steel kept their composure, however, and were able to manage the game’s tempo. James Luchini had a shot go just wide of the post with six minutes to go as the hosts looked for an insurance goal, but the need for one proved academic as the Steel took their first home win of the season.

Upcoming Games

• April 24: Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Charleston Battery, 3 p.m. ET, Goodman Stadium

• April 22: Richmond Kickers at Charlotte Independence, 7 p.m. ET, Ramblewood Stadium

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Eric Ayuk, Bethlehem Steel FC – Ayuk was the central point for much of the Steel’s attacking play, and his quick passing and movement caused problems throughout to go with a well-taken goal and assist.