FC Buffalo held nearly every statistical advantage over the Erie Admirals in Sunday’s match at Robert E. Rich All-High Stadium.
Nearly didn’t cut it.
Erie’s Afrim Latifi — a former Queen City FC player — struck twice in the first half to build a 2-0 lead for the Admirals and the Blitzers couldn’t find their way all-the-way back despite a 19-7 advantage in shots.
Mike Unwin ripped a 24-yard bullet into the twine off a set piece pass from Victor Gonzalez, but that was the only tally Buffalo could muster past Erie GK Danny Mudd.
There were four yellow cards issued in the chippy affair, one to Erie and three to Buffalo (Matt Stedman, Mike Unwin, Andrew Larracuente. No card was levied on Cory Phillips after a tackle in the 18, but Erie was awarded a penalty kick and Latifi converted. Buffalo.com photographer Nate Benson caught the pivotal sequence here:
Later, Latifi would take advantage of a Blitzers miscue and chip home a breakaway chance to score the second Erie goal.
Erie improves to 3-0, moving to within a point of FC Sonic and AC Crusaders. Erie hosts Sonic on June 10, which is when the Blitzers (2-2) next take the pitch in New Jersey against the Blaze. Sonic then travels to All-High for a 3 p.m. Sunday affair June 12.
Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org
