Atlantic City FC (4-0-1) looked to continue their undefeated season Friday night versus First State FC Midnight Riders at Silver Eagle Stadium. At their first meeting in Delaware, the Aces shut out the Midnight Riders 3-0. First State looked to return the favor.
The Aces were knocking on the door early in the first half. By the fifth minute, Bissafi Dotte nearly put Atlantic City FC up 1-0, but his shot hit the upper right crossbar.
Atlantic City FC struck first in the 12th minute after a throw-in by Christian Schneider. Loic Jean-Baptiste lifted the ball into the air in the direction of Johnny Fenwick. Fenwick finished the play with a header into the lower right corner of the net that put the Aces up 1-0.
On the next possession for the Midnight Riders, they had a chance to tie the game; however, the shot went wide right and out of bounds.
In the 23rd minute, a Midnight Riders defender tackled Jeremy Opong which resulted in a penalty kick taken by Fenwick. Fenwick sent the ball to the lower right corner for his second goal of the night that extended the Aces’ lead 2-0.
Atlantic City FC added another goal in the 32nd minute off a throw-in from Christian Schneider. A Midnight Riders player headed the ball, attempting to redirect it. Instead, the ball landed on the foot of Roberto Alarcon Saez. Saez directed the ball to the lower-left corner of the net for the goal. Atlantic City FC’s lead was now 3-0.
Late in the first half, First State FC attacked the Aces defense. Their offense had been quiet in the game. In the 43rd minute, Shawn Genus made a no-look behind the heel pass to Assane Ben Souleymane Fall before Fall sent the ball to the lower-left corner of the net that cut the Aces lead 3-1. Atlantic City FC led 3-1 at halftime.
In the second half, First State FC attackers kept the pressure on the Aces but could not find the net thanks to a tough stance by Atlantic City’s defense. In the 79th minute, off a free kick from Roberto Alarcon Saez, Bissafi Dotte finally scored a goal with a header to the left side for a 4-1 lead.
Atlantic City FC continued to attack the Midnight Riders’ defense late in the game. They had three corner-kick opportunities but were unable to add any more goals. Once the final whistle was blown, Atlantic City FC defeated First State FC Midnight Riders 4-1 to improve to 5-0-1 on the season and remain in first place in the Keystone Conference.
Atlantic City FC will see some familiar faces when they head to Count Bessie Park in Red Bank, NJ, next Friday, June 18th, at 7 pm against FC Monmouth. Former Atlantic City FC players Matt Fryc, David Nigro, Ryan Nigro, Matthew Perrella, Jacob Rubinstein, and Walter Calderon all play for FC Monmouth.
