Espinal’s 6th puts Kickers on the board, Bolduc’s first equalizes
The Kickers pushed the home side throughout the match. A sixth minute shot by Darwin Espinal —his first of a few different attempts on the night— forced Westchester’s keeper to make a save early.
Two minutes later, Josh Kirkland stole the ball from the New York side just outside their box and framed for goal but the shot fell just wide. Westchester capitalized off the possession and found the back of the net for the first time on the afternoon — sending a laser into the bottom right corner.
The Kickers would look to answer about 10 minutes later with a corner. Maxi Schenfeld swung a ball in towards the near post which was kicked back out. The Kickers attack sent the ball back in a few times but it was ultimately cleared.
In the 25th minute, Matt Bolduc found a great lane and took off but the buildup just couldn’t get there and it didn’t become something just yet.
Westchester would find another int he 29th minute to put the home team up two. That wouldn’t go unanswered for long though,
In the 32nd minute, Espinal’s relentless attack broke through for his —league leading— sixth goal on the season. A cross from Simon Fitch found Espinal’s feet and the reliable forward buried it without a problem.
Westchester would try to win back the momentum in first half stoppage time but Sneddon was having none of it, scooping up a save at the close of the half.
The Kickers came out of the locker room hot and quickly went on the offensive to start the second.
In the 47th minute with the whole team pushing, Beckett Howell drove up the left wing and to the end line before crossing back into the mix. Another great run from Matt Bolduc found him ready to slot the ball in and — for the first time since he returned to the Richmond side — he found the back of the net. The service from Howell became the 20 year-old’s first professional assist.
In the 56th minute, Sneddon came up big to keep Westchester from answering — and would continue to for the rest of the night.
Over the next 20 minutes of play, the Kickers came up with two near post opportunities, one from Espinal and another where Bolduc found Kirkland who cut back to his left but ultimately the attempt was saved.
Westchester attacked again in the 83rd but Sneddon made another save to keep them away. In the dying seconds of the match, Westchester would earn free kick that the Kickers cleared well but the ball was put back into play before being sent over the bar, ultimately keeping the match even through the ten minutes of stoppage time.
The Kickers will return to the pitch next Saturday, May 31st for their first match home since the beginning of the month! Join us then for Military Appreciation night at City Stadium! Get your tickets now at richmondkickers.com/tickets .
