Deshane Beckford Shines as Hartford Ease Past Miami
Deshane Beckford Shines as Hartford Ease Past Miami
A sterling performance from the forward ensures the Latics continue their good start to the season
Deshane Beckford and Enoch Mushagalusa celebrated their 100th USL Championship appearances in style on Saturday with both marking the occasion with a goal. Romario Williams also added his second goal in three games for the Latics, with that being enough to overcome Miami’s resistance and secure all three points for the home side.
The first half hour saw chances at both ends with the first quality opportunity falling to Hartford in the 12th minute. Michee Ngalina nutmegged former Latic Nicolas Cardona on the left-hand side; his cross found its way to Beckford — who had a shot blocked — but the rebound fell to Anderson Asiedu who curled his shot just wide of the far post. Cardona quickly redeemed himself at the other end of the pitch, with an inch-perfect cross finding the head of forward Frank Lopez, who was unable to direct his header on target, and the score remained level.
Another big opportunity for the home side arrived in the 30th minute when Beckford’s pace got the better of defender Samuel Biek, whose late tackle in the box resulted in a penalty being awarded to Hartford. Williams, who has already converted one penalty for the Latics this season; stepped to the spot but his effort was easily saved by Miami keeper Daniel Gagliardi.
It looked like things might remain level heading into the break but Beckford capped a near-perfect individual first half with his first goal for the Latics. Winning the ball in Hartford territory, he touched it forward to Asiedu who played it back into his path as he crossed midfield. Gagliardi was miles off his line and Beckford’s pace was once again the difference as he was able to easily bypass the keeper and finish confidently to put the Latics ahead.
Hartford started off the second half in the same vein as they finished the first and it didn’t take long for them to add to their lead. An inswinging corner from Jay Chapman was flicked on by Joe Farrell and Williams displayed true poacher’s instincts to prod home from a yard out.
From that point on Miami began to exert more control of the game and Paul Walters was forced into a string of fine saves to keep them out of the back of the net. Eventually, Miami was able to make the most of the pressure and a ball bouncing around the edge of the area found its way to Gabriel Cabral who tucked a shot past a sprawling Walters to cut the deficit in half.
The Latics restored their two-goal cushion in the first minute of second-half stoppage time when Marcus Epps was alert to a loose pass and won possession in a dangerous area. He was able to play in Enoch Mushagalusa, and Gagliardi was unable to do more than deflect the resulting shot into the net, giving Mushagalusa his first goal for Hartford.
Things seemed done and dusted at that point but there was one more twist in the tale. In the final minute of stoppage time, Miami lofted a long free kick into the box. A Daltyn Knutson shot squirmed across the box and Thomas Vancaeyezeele’s attempted clearance rebounded off Joe Farrell and into the back of the net trimming Hartford’s advantage back to a single goal. The final whistle went shortly thereafter, and the Latics claimed all three points at home for the second time this season.