Soccer News: Billy Forbes Bags Two for First Career Multi-Goal Game
The San Antonio Scorpions beat FC Edmonton 3-2 Sunday afternoon on the strength of two Billy Forbes goals. The Scorpions secured three points for the second straight match and scored their first ever win in Edmonton.
Once again, the Alamo City boys gave fans a reason to stay in their seats (every Scorpions match this season has had a goal scored after the 75′ minute) until the final whistle as the game-winner came in the 82′. On a routine pass back to the defense, Edmonton’s Mallan Roberts took a touch of the ball right into the path of the on-rushing Billy Forbes, who picked the center back’s pocket just outside of the 18-yard-box and then motored towards the Eddies’ goal. Forbes was even with the penalty spot in a flash and easily slotted low and left as goalkeeper Matt VanOekel desperately rushed off his line in a vain attempt to thwart the attack.
Omar Cummings opened the scoring in just the 21′ on his NASL-leading fourth goal of the season. The Jamaican international was working his way through the Edmonton defense with a deft spin move when he spotted Forbes making a run into the box. Cummings’ attempted through ball was deflected by Edmonton defender Allan Zebie, but unfortunately for the Eddies right back to Cummings. The Scorpions striker stayed selfish with his second opportunity and struck a hard, curling shot from 19 yards that beat VanOekel at the far post.
The score stayed 1-0 until halftime (thanks in part to a point-blank Daryl Sattler save on Chad Burt), but the second frame turned into an entertaining, up-and-down the pitch affair. Edmonton drew level for the first time in the 53′ when striker Daryl Fordyce finished a knockdown ball by Johann Smith that came from a cross by Michael Nonni. San Antonio took their second lead of the match nine minutes later when fullback Stephen DeRoux sent Forbes in behind the Edmonton defensive line with a ball on the left sideline. Forbes did all the rest as he collected the ball just outside the box and then drove straight at VanOekel. The Eddies’ ‘keeper blinked first and dropped to the ground, giving the Turks and Caicos star the upper part of the frame, where he easily chipped home for his first goal of the season and a 2-1 red and black lead.
Once again, Edmonton kept their composure and found an equalizer, though it would prove to be short-lived. In the 74’, midfielder Hanson Boakai hit a hard long range shot that Scorpions goalie Sattler parried to his left….and right to Fordyce. The Northern Ireland native didn’t miss the open half of the net from short distance, but his second tally of the match ultimately was overshadowed by Forbes’ first-career multi-goal match and game winning goal seven minutes later.
Next week, the Scorpions will be on the road again to face the league-leading Cosmos in New York. Edmonton continues a hectic home stretch with the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship on Wednesday against Major League Soccer‘s Vancouver Whitecaps and then they return to North American Soccer League action next Sunday against the Atlanta Silverbacks.
