FC FREDERICK STAYS PERFECT WITH WIN OVER LEGACY 76
Shawn Baker assisted the go-ahead goal and scored the game-clincher as FC Frederick defeated Legacy 76 3-1 on Sunday night in NPSL action.
Again, it was FC Frederick’s bench play that delivered the result as two goals were scored by players entering after halftime.
The win leaves FC Frederick comfortably in first place in the NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference at 3-0. Legacy falls to 0-3-2 and is in last place. FC Frederick defeated Legacy also 3-1 last week in Frederick, Md.
“The chemistry is there,” FC Frederick coach Chris Spinks said. “These guys are hungry, they want it.”
FC Frederick has scored six of its seven goals this season after halftime, and usually with players coming off the bench to play pivotal roles.
Baker entered the match in the 68th minute to spark the FC Frederick offense. Only four minutes into his time on the field, Baker served up a corner kick that was headed in by John Remsberg, who came on in the 61st minute, for the go-ahead goal in the 72nd minute. In the 80th minute, Mamadou Jallow, another second-half sub, drew a penalty kick that Baker converted for the final margin.
“This league is all about depth, and all of the guys doing what they need to do,” Spinks said. “We made three key subs that got us the goals. We have guys coming off the bench who have started games this year but today they knew their roles and came off the bench and brought something good.”
“John Remsberg came through a crowd of players to head in the winning goal and it shows the impact he can have,” Spinks added. “Baker always delivers. When he came on, he was very lively. Then Mamadou (Jallow), who started the last two games, comes in at halftime and wins us a penalty kick. … That’s huge for us.”
Saidou Toure gave FC Frederick a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute, assisted by Zach Hommey. FC Frederick carried the lead into halftime, but Legacy tied the match in the 49th minute on a Jeff Wolons’ goal.
Phil Breno was in goal for FC Frederick and recorded three saves.
FC Frederick’s next NPSL match will be June 24 at Hood College against second-place Virginia Beach City FC (1-0-2). A win will secure a home playoff match and almost lock up a first-place conference finish for FC Frederick.
FC Frederick Notes
* FC Frederick’s 3-0 start is the best start to a season and ties the team record for longest win streak.
* Goalkeeper Phil Breno is now 5-0-1 in his last six FC Frederick appearances with an 0.67 GAA.
* Shawn Baker’s 80th minute goal Sunday night makes him only the second FC Frederick player to score in all three years of the program, joining William Eskay.
* Of FC Frederick’s seven goals and six assists on the season, three goals and four assists have come from players entering the match after halftime.
* Saidou Toure became the fourth FC Frederick player to score in back-to-back matches, joining Reilly Maw (2015), William Eskay (2015) and Shawn Baker (2016). Eskay is the lone FC Frederick player to score goals in three straight matches.
* FC Frederick scored 10 goals in 10 NPSL matches last year, and has seven goals in three outings this year.