Bellingham United takes a point in Langley border crossing

by Kyle Elliott for BUFC

Bellingham United FC earned its first draw this season on Saturday July 7, against Langley Athletic. The teams tied 1-1 in United’s final road game of the year.

Bellingham started off slow. (See a Langley Athletic match gallery here)

“We did not have a good first half,” said Bellingham United Head Coach Lance Calloway. “We didn’t maintain the ball, there were a lot of fouls and we couldn’t find a rhythm.”

United began to play much better towards the end of the half, outside of giving up a goal.

Langley scored in the 43 minute on a sloppy goal. They continued to apply pressure when the ball was in the box and finally got the goal.

In the tunnel before the new derby match: Bellingham v. Langley. (BUFC Facebook)

It didn’t take long for United to respond. Oscar Jimenez chipped the keeper after he came out of the box to clear a corner.

“Their goal really knocked us down,” said Bellingham keeper Leo Cohen. “When Oscar scored, it put the wind back in our sails and woke us up. We were lackadaisical in to start the game.”

The teams finished the first half tied 1-1.

“In the second half we held on great,” Calloway said. “We just couldn’t finish our chances. We didn’t get the ball to Kellan Brown’s feet enough.”

Leo Cohen earned the Hammer Man of the Match in the game.

“Leo was huge today,” Calloway said. “His last save was world class, the opposing player did everything right, but Leo pulled it off.”

Cohen prevented a would be game winner with a foot save in the 85th minute.

“I at first thought that I’m glad it didn’t go in,” Cohen said. “I am just glad I that that moment where I could come up big and keep our momentum.”

United now has 25 points with a record of 8-5-1 on the year. Bellingham plays its final two games at home, the first being on Sunday July 8 against third place Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC.

The Hammers fans traveled north in good number and out-cheered the home side all during the contest.

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