Forward Madison Sweeps the Henny Derby With Win Over Richmond Kickers

Goals from Gebhard and Mesias give FMFC three points and three Henny Derby wins in 2023

MADISON, WI: After a game five days ago, Forward Madison FC stayed home to play Richmond Kickers at historic Breese Stevens Field on Thursday, September 14th. This was the third Henny Derby matchup this season, with FMFC already up 2-0 in the series. Forward Madison took the pitch wearing the iconic 2020 Drip Kits for the first time at home. The match kicked off just after 7pm CT.

The match started with high press from a new Forward Madison frontline. In the third minute, FMFC players pressured the Richmond goalkeeper, who turned it over to striker Nazeem Bartman. Bartman crossed it into the box to a wide-open Derek Gebhard, and with one touch, Gebhard scored the opening goal to put Forward Madison up 1-0. Richmond battled back, putting a few dangerous chances in the box, but FMFC goalkeeper Bernd Schipmann came up with big saves to keep the home squad in the lead. The half ended with Forward Madison FC ahead by one.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first. Within two minutes, Forward Madison’s offense rushed down the field, playing clever passes just outside the 18-yard box. Midfielder Aiden Mesias found an open gap and slotted the ball past Richmond’s keeper to put the ‘Mingos up 2-0. In the 65th minute, Gebhard had another opportunity to bag his second goal of the night, but his shot hit off the crossbar. A few substitutions were made for both sides, but Forward Madison stayed strong defensively to keep Richmond scoreless. After eight minutes of stoppage time, FMFC finished with a 2-0 victory at home and a clean sweep in the 2023 Henny Derby.

“There’s been some games where we’ve scored early and then lose a little bit of concentration,” said midfielder Derek Gebhard. “We’re really focused on trying to make sure we keep our foot on the gas and don’t let our opponents back in the game. Tonight, we didn’t have the best first half, but we came out in the second half playing a lot better.”

“It’s been our goal to be a playoff team since the first day of the season,” said Head Coach Matt Glaeser. “I think the guys have shown resilience through injuries, difficult travel and some bad luck, so it’s good to get back in the win column. Hopefully we can carry the momentum into a difficult week next week.”

“Getting three points is the aim from now,” said midfielder Aiden Mesias. “Doesn’t matter how the ball gets in the back of the net, as long as we get three points.”

Next up, Forward Madison FC plays their third home game in a row on Wednesday, September 20th at 7pm CT against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC. Tickets for the match are available here.

——————————————————-

Forward Madison FC Lineup (FMFC):

#4 Osmond

#6 O. Ramos

#12 Brotherton

#16 Crull

#17 Gebhard

#22 Payne

#23 Mesias

#24 Bartman

#28 Wheeler-Omiunu

#44 da Silva

#55 Schipmann

Substitutes: Sanchez, Screen, J. Ramos, Baptiste, Conerty, Vasquez, Martinez

Head Coach: Matt Glaeser

——————————————————-

Richmond Kickers (RIC):

#1 Fitzgerald

#25 Hornsby

#3 Cole

#24 Aune

#4 Fitch

#6 Moran

#8 Silva

#10 Vinyals

#27 O’Dwyer

#9 Bentley

#19 Sukow

Substitutes: Palmquist, Mecham, Barnathan, Howell, Sierakowski, Johnson, Simmonds

Head Coach: Darren Sawatzky

——————————————————–

Major Match Moments (corners, fouls, cards, subs, goals, big saves/close opportunities)

1st Half

1’ FMFC foul
3’ FMFC Goal Madison (#17 Gebhard)
6’ FMFC foul
12’ RIC foul
12’ RIC Yellow (#10 Vinyals)
13’ RIC foul
14’ RIC foul
15’ RIC foul
18’ RIC foul
18’ RIC Yellow (#3 Cole)
23’ RIC foul
24’ FMFC major save
24’ RIC corner
29′ FMFC major save
30′ RIC foul
31’ FMFC foul
40’ FMFC foul
42’ RIC corner
44’ FMFC Foul
44’ FMFC Yellow Card (#4 Osmond)
46’ FMFC foul
47’ FMFC corner
48’ FMFC foul

Half-Time Score: FMFC 1 – 0 RCH

2nd Half

47’ FMFC Goal (#23 Mesias)
49’ FMFC foul
49’ FMFC Yellow Card #44 da Silva
53’ RIC foul
53’ RIC substitutions
55’ FMFC Foul
58’ RIC foul
60’ FMFC corner
66’ Yellow Card (#36)
72’ FMFC substitution (#23 Mesias out, #8 Conerty in)
73’ FMFC foul
76’ RIC foul
77’ FMFC foul
79’ RIC Yellow Card (#6)
81’ FMFC foul
81’ RIC substitution
82’ FMFC substitution (#7 Martinez and #18 Jno-Baptiste in, #44 da Silva and #24 Bartman off)
83’ RIC Yellow Card (#24)
90’ FMFC foul