Detroit City FC defeated FC Buffalo, 2-1, in Friday night’s Rust Belt Derby match in front of 4,413 supporters at Keyworth Stadium.
Jeff Adkins (Butler) started the scoring in the 24th minute. Cyrus Saydee (Michigan State) played a beautiful through-ball to Adkins who deked out the keeper and put it home.
Tommy Catalano (Oakland) scored what would become the game-winner in the 43rd minute, earning M1 Imaging Man of the Match honors in the process. Saydee picked up his second assist of the night, sending a cross through the box that Catalano smashed into the back of the net.
City began probing early with two quality scoring chances in the first four minutes. After the initial surge, though, the game settled into quite the back-and-forth affair.
Le Rouge carried the pace in the first half and took a 2-0 lead into the locker room, but Buffalo looked the much more dangerous side in the second half.
In the 73rd minute, Romario Guscott put a classy finish on an assist from Kieran Toland to put Buffalo within striking distance.
The remaining time was spent mostly in City’s half as Buffalo pushed for an equalizing goal. Robbie Beckwell (Detroit Mercy) made a handful of saves down the stretch to preserve the one-goal lead.
With head coach Ben Pirmann getting married this weekend, assistant coach Colby Cunningham spoke about the team’s focus after tonight’s win.
“Obviously, for us it’s important to stay sharp going into (the game with) Grand Rapids,” he said. “That’s our most important thing, going into our next league game and getting three points.
“And tonight’s our first win at Keyworth and a Rust Belt Derby win for our supporters, which is great.”
Next up for City is a trip to Buffalo for the second leg of the Rust Belt Derby. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon at Robert E. Rich All-High Stadium.
