Bethlehem Steel FC clinical in win against FC Cincinnati

Bethlehem Steel FC finally had a game go their way. Sure, FC Cincinnati was unlucky with a non-contact injury ending Justin Hoyte’s night after 15 minutes and a red card shown to Paul Nicholson. That being said, seeing Steel FC finally play out a win with some professional possession and burying two chances for the first time since JULY 14th was a pleasure.

Steel FC came out in a 4-3-3, with Cincy initially responding with a 4-2-4 that Alan Koch said switched to a 4-4-1 in his postgame interview. The Blue and Orange looked dangerous for just about the entire first half, with Jake McGuire having to come up big in a few spots. McGuire made it look incredibly easy, remarkable given this was his professional debut.

Failing to convert a penalty after the red card to Nicholson bothered Seku Conneh. The Liberian is primarily known for being an incredibly passionate player, however where most guys might let the frustration set in, Conneh just kept getting chances and making them count. His first goal came on a stupidly good series by Jack Elliott and Conneh. Elliott scooped up a loose ball before playing it wide to Aaron Jones. Jones gave the ball back to Elliott who had plenty of space and rifled a shot from the halfway line to the top of the 18 yard box for Conneh who cut inside and fired a laser beating Mitch Hildebrandt far post. (If you just hit play on the video below, it’ll be time stamped to where the buildup to the goal starts)

Bethlehem didn’t let off the gas after getting their first goal, with just about all the Steel FC attack looking to provide some extra cushion to the lead. Just before the hour mark, Adam Najem did well to slip Marcus Epps in behind the Cincy back line as Epps’ cross was pinpoint perfect to the far post, but Cory Burke couldn’t nod it down.

Steel FC would be rewarded however for slamming the pedal down. Aaron Jones played a seeing eye ball to Cory Burke, who hit a ridiculous lay off ball to Santi Moar. Moar barreled down the right side pretty much unmarked (10 men causing that I’m sure), but after he couldn’t beat Hildebrandt near post he poked the ball to Conneh, who blasted the ball into the net to all but seal the game for Bethlehem. (Second goal below, same deal, just hit play and enjoy)

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