Alexandria Reds Secure 1-0 Victory over DMV Elite FC to Climb Standings

By SherShah Atif/Alexandria Reds

The Alexandria Reds bounced back in dramatic fashion, grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 victory
over DMV Elite. The win elevates the Reds to third place in the Mid-Atlantic Conference
standings with nine points.

The match was defined by midfield battles, sweltering heat, and two standout individual
performances: a second-half match-winner from forward Langston Fabiyi and a goalkeeping
masterclass from Cameron Marbray, who preserved the clean sheet.

The first 45 minutes proved to be a stalemate. DMV Elite controlled the early tempo and edge in
possession, forcing the Reds to defend multiple transition moments and set pieces. Despite the
pressure, the Alexandria backline held firm. With just three minutes remaining in the half, DMV
Elite nearly found a breakthrough with a dangerous one-on-one breakaway. However, Marbray
delivered a spectacular diving save to his right, pushing the effort just wide of the post to keep
the match scoreless heading into the break.

In the second half, the Reds flipped the script. Alexandria began dictating play, putting DMV
Elite on the back foot with sustained pressure and dynamic runs down the flanks.

The shift in momentum paid off in the 65th minute. Elias Androus ignited the attack by breaking
down the left side and driving a cross into the penalty area. After an initial flurry of blocked
efforts by the DMV Elite defense, the ball deflected into the path of Fabiyi near the top of the
box. The forward didn’t hesitate, unleashing a half-volley past the keeper to put the Reds ahead
1-0.

The final 15 minutes required maximum defensive execution as DMV Elite threw numbers
forward in a desperate search for an equalizer. Marbray once again proved to be the difference-
maker, producing phenomenal point-blank saves in the closing five minutes to preserve the lead.
In stoppage time, he cemented the victory by acrobatically tipping a dangerous effort over the
crossbar following a late corner kick.

Alexandria Reds head coach Nick Conklu praised his team’s mental toughness and adaptability to secure the result in punishing conditions.

“I’m super proud of the team to grind that out,” Conklu said. “It was definitely a difficult game in
terms of the conditions and a physical opponent. We struggled to find momentum early, but we dug deep, did the defensive work, and won those duels. In the second half, we showed more
fight, more intensity, and the mentality to play forward.”

Conklu named Fabiyi the Player of the Match while also giving massive credit to his goalkeeper
for anchoring the defense.

“We missed Langston’s presence the past two games,” Conklu noted. “He stepped up and took
that moment for us. And a big shoutout to Cameron Marbray. When we needed him, he stood
on his head with at least four or five big-time, point-blank saves to protect the goal and get us the
three points.”

For Fabiyi, the message moving forward is simple: maintain the standard.

“We can’t let the heat affect us; we have to stay strong,” Langston added. “The other team is
dealing with the same stuff we’re dealing with. We just have to keep pushing.”

The Reds will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture as they prepare to face Hub
City FC on Wednesday, June 17.

Photo Credit: Devon Douglas/Score Media Company/Alexandria Reds