great shot of Russell Cicerone’s goal by Matt Birt at queencityblitzers.com.
FC Buffalo’s stoppage time woes haunted them again after Smart Osadolor’s 45th minute-plus goal gave AFC Cleveland its first and only lead of the night, and the Royals held on to beat FCB 2-1.
It started great for FC Buffalo, who controlled possession and found the game’s first goal on a stunning pass from Sam DeMello to Russell Cicerone, who was almost taken down before slotting past Royals goalkeeper Spencer Semple.
Cicerone’s 7th goal of the season is a new single-season franchise best.
But Vinny Bell was allowed to walk along the top of the 18 to let loose with his patented left-footed shot, and Waleed Cassis couldn’t get there. The match was square in the 38th minute.
Osadolor worked his way into a one-on-one with an injured Tyler Allen before eluding the back and beating Cassis with a left-footed shot.
Ian Mort picked up a yellow card just before halftime, while Chris Walter added one in the second half.
The loss makes Sunday afternoon’s match in Lansing a must-win for the Wolves. The Indiana Fire did FCB a favor by beating Fort Pitt 1-0 on Friday, but Cleveland is now five points ahead of Buffalo having played one more game.
Lineups
AFC Cleveland: Semple; Martin, O’Callaghan, Creviston, Fairley; Mitchell, Welch, Minnick, Grant; Osalodor, Bell
Goals: Bell (38′), Osalodor (45+1′)
FC Buffalo: Cassis; T. Allen, Walter, Ross, Hunt; Thomas, Bednarsky, Knapp, Mort; Cicerone, DeMello
Goals: Cicerone (14′)
