Records are meant to be broken and it’s safe to say that Annapolis is getting quite comfortable doing so. With a crowd of 12,853, Saturday night’s match between Annapolis Blues FC and Christos FC did not disappoint. The game was a derby of its own, one that saw five fouls in the opening ten minutes.
Wasting no time, Ryan Belal generated the first opportunity for the Blues. The attacker received a pass on the left wing, cut inside and darted into the box. He released a shot that went just wide of the far post, kicking off the action within the opening minute of the match.
An attempted clearance from Christos that was butchered by defender Brett St. Martin, a two-time All-Big Ten selection with the University of Maryland, saw Ben Madore pick up the ball 30 yards out from goal. Madore dropped it back to Rafael Machado who took a touch and cleverly slipped Madore through, one-one-one with the onrushing Tanner Kennard. The Christos keeper was able to deflect Madore’s shot wide and out for a corner.
Just two minutes later, Madore connected with Belal. In similar fashion to his first opportunity, the former FC Cincinnati striker received a through ball on the left flank. This time, however, Belal found himself in behind the defensive line, charging towards the near post. Seven yards out from goal, he released a shot with his left foot that nearly missed the far post.
The 15-minute mark yielded Christos’ most promising opportunity of the match. Following a foul by the Blues, Christos was awarded a freekick on the left side of the field, near the touchline. Whipped in by Jack Andru, his outswinging ball was met by the head of St. Martin at the back post. Beating an outstretched Emigdio Tormo Lopez, St. Martin was sure he had broken the deadlock. However, his joy was spoiled as Machado jumped into the air, making a heroic, scissor-kick, goal line clearance.
The first card of the game was awarded to Tyler Flynn of Christos, in the 20th minute, following an aggressive two footed tackle on Madore. Albi Ndrenika then received a yellow card for simulation in the 23rd minute, with the referee claiming the Blues player unjustly went down inside the box, untouched by Ritchie Nichols. A third card was given in the 43rd minute on Nicholas after he fouled Madore in the middle of the pitch.
The remainder of the half did not see any major attacking opportunities as both sides entered the break without finding the back of the net. Christos’ high press left them susceptible to Blues the counterattack. On the defensive end, Annapolis remained strong, only allowing the once chance from a Christos set piece.
Annapolis came out of the break full steam ahead, generating a handful of half-chances within the first couple minutes. The most significant of the bunch came in the 48th minute, forcing a goal line clearance from the Christos defense after a Blues’ header was saved by Kennard at full stretch.
In the 62nd minute, Blues’ Head Coach Colin Herriot dug into his bench, bringing on Kobe Keomany for Taku Takahashi and Matthew Lenert, who scored the game-winning goal for the Blues in its opening match of the season, for Monath.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 65th minute, proving the adage of the third time truly being the charm for Belal. Herriot’s tactics would once again reign successful with the newly brought on Keomany starting the attack. Playing a beautiful pass that split both the attacking and midfield lines of Christos, Keomany connected with Ndrenika, who turned and drove towards goal. As he neared the edge of the box, the University of Maryland midfielder slipped through Belal. Taking one touch, Belal opened his hips and calmly slotted his finish into the bottom left corner, sending waves of excitement through the crowd.
Sealing the result in the 89th minute, Herriot’s other substitute, Lenert, darted down the left flank, easily beating his defender with pure pace. The College of Charleston attacker reached the six-yard box and calmly played a ball across the face of goal, leaving Brady Geho with an easy tap in finish, ensuring all three points for the Blues.
Looking to remain unbeaten, the Blues hit the road, taking on Virginia Beach United on June 4th at 5 p.m. On June 7th the Blues return home, facing off against Lionsbridge FC at 7:30 p.m.
