skip navigation

Steel FC Grabs Victory Late vs. FCC

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/29/17, 7:05PM EDT

Share

Roberts scores winner with three minutes to go


Photo courtesy Bethlehem Steel FC

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Bethlehem Steel FC’s Hugh Roberts scored a late winner as the hosts took a 1-0 victory against FC Cincinnati on Saturday evening at Goodman Stadium. FCC’s Kadeem Dacres threatened twice inside the opening 10 minutes as he got in behind the Steel FC defense on the right side, but was unable to take advantage. Steel FC’s James Chambers flashed a shot over with Bethlehem’s first good effort on goal, but goalkeeper Jake McGuire had to make four first-half saves to keep the game scoreless at the break. Cincinnati had a big chance to take the lead in the 65th minute when a looped cross found Andrew Weideman, but his header skied over the crossbar. FCC second-half substitute Andy Craven then hit the crossbar with a flicked finish from 10 yards off a good cut-back by Corben Bone with 16 minutes to go, and Aodhan Quinn’s free kick came back off the right post eight minutes later. Bethlehem grabbed the lead with three minutes to go, however, as Roberts headed home from a free kick to earn Steel FC, and after Cincinnati’s Craven was sent off in stoppage time the hosts were able to hold on for their second victory against Cincinnati this season.

Scoring: 
87’ – BST – Hugh Roberts (Adam Najem)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Steel FC looked to be happy with a draw through its substitution patterns late, as the side was able to possess the ball well at times and connect passes together well, but wasn’t able to offer much of an attacking threat in the final third. That meant if the hosts were going to grab three points it was likely to be from a set piece, and with three minutes to go Hugh Roberts came through to earn Bethlehem its second win of the season. Steel FC has had some near-misses since its first win against FCC, including a defeat to Orlando last Sunday that saw the side dominate the first half. Grabbing three points from a game it certainly could have ended up on the wrong end of will be a big morale boost ahead of a visit to Charleston next weekend.

  • 2. FC Cincinnati had a second frustrating visit to Goodman Stadium this season, as the side had the majority of the chances and hit the woodwork twice, but was unable to find a breakthrough to take at least a draw, if not a victory, from the contest. When Cincinnati was awarded a free kick with eight minutes to go just to the right of center outside the penalty area, it seemed tailor-made for Aodhan Quinn, but even he couldn’t quite find the right finish as FCC fell for a second time on the road in Bethlehem.

  • 3. Hugh Roberts had a big performance defensively for Steel FC, recording four interceptions and completing more than 90 percent of his passes throughout the contest. As time wound down, though, his first goal in a Bethlehem uniform proved an even bigger moment for the offseason addition to earn Steel FC a big three points. A USL All-League selection last season for Richmond, Roberts and U.S. U20 international Auston Trusty are going to be key for Bethlehem this season. Lifting the side to victory on Saturday evening was a big step forward.  

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Hugh Roberts, Bethlehem Steel FC – Roberts had a strong all-around display that was capped by the game-winning goal in Steel FC’s second win of the season.

Upcoming Games:
Bethlehem Steel FC
at Charleston Battery – May 6, 7 p.m. ET, MUSC Health Stadium
FC Cincinnati at Richmond Kickers – May 6, 7 p.m. ET, City Stadium

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos