Forward Madison Triumphs Through Lightning Delay, Beating Orlando 3-1 at Home
Published on August 23, 2020 under United Soccer League One (USL1)
Forward Madison FC News Release
Forward Madison FC vs. Orlando City B
(Forward Madison FC, Credit: Justin Nuoffer, Forward Madison FC)
Forward Madison had to wait for it, but at last came away with a 3-1 win against Orlando City B at Hart Park on Sunday. The Flamingos had to wait through a 98-minute lighting delay during the second half, but goals from Eli Lockaby and Brandon Eaton were enough to see FMFC through.
The game was chippy from start to finish, but Lockaby helped relieve the pressure for the Flamingos by scoring on a header to the back post off a Michael Vang corner kick in the 19th minute. It wasn't without consequences for Lockaby, who spent the next few minutes getting his eye patched up to stop the bleeding from a freshly-formed cut on his forehead.
Late in the half, the Flamingos' defense cracked, with Orlando capitalizing on a mistake and Mason Lamb scoring from his own header thanks to a cross from Michael Halliday in the 37th minute. Orlando nearly took the lead a few minutes later through an indirect free kick inside the 18-yard-box, but FMFC blocked the close-range shot.
After the interval, Forward Madison retook the lead in the 55th minute on another Vang corner kick. While Vang's cross initially found the head of Paulo Junior, it was a deflection from Orlando's Juan Pablo Monticelli that sent it flying into the back of th net.
The game was delayed in the 77th minute due to a storm in the area, and wouldn't re-start for nearly two hours.
When the rain finally cleared, though, the Flamingos came back ready to play. Brandon Eaton sealed the result in the 85th minute, using a through ball to set Don Smart free on the right flank before sprinting to the back post for a diving header delivered by the Jamaican.
With the win, Forward Madison jumps to third place on eight points, just two behind Richmond Kickers for the final playoff place and ahead of both Union Omaha and South Georgia Tormenta on goal differential.
Following Sunday's match, Forward Madison will be able to enjoy a spot of midweek rest before hosting North Texas SC on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 4 p.m.
Images from this story
 Forward Madison FC vs. Orlando City B (Justin Nuoffer, Forward Madison FC) |
 Forward Madison FC vs. Orlando City B (Justin Nuoffer, Forward Madison FC) |
 Forward Madison FC vs. Orlando City B (Justin Nuoffer, Forward Madison FC) |
United Soccer League One Stories from August 23, 2020
- Forward Madison Triumphs Through Lightning Delay, Beating Orlando 3-1 at Home - Forward Madison FC
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