SYMMES TOWNSHIP, OHIO (June 4th, 2025) – Kings Hammer FC Cincinnati men fought hard, but ultimately fell short against Lexington SC with a final score of 3-0.
Another hot and humid night in Symmes Township saw a dull opening 20 minutes after the kickoff. Both teams found possession on the ball, but couldn’t turn it into any attacking momentum with both goalkeepers being called into action to claim a few errant crosses and through balls.
The fixture would spring into life as a hard challenge from KHFC defender Caleb Frakes in the 20th minute would result in a yellow card and a Lexington free kick from about 30 yards out. Caleb Parrish would be the only SC player to stand over the ball, but couldn’t connect on the finish, whipping the ball wide of the post.
Lexington would continue to have the upper hand in the attack as a cross from wide found a streaking Lexington forward in Salvador Martinez. The striker met the ball well, but was only able to put the header over the bar.
Frakes would get himself into the action again for KHFC, but this time in the attacking end in the 26th minute. After a ball fell to his feet just inside the box, the defender took on a right-footed shot that ultimately wound up over the top of the net.
Not long after, the referee halted the game for a hydration break which is when the momentum began to swing the way of Lexington.
In the 37th minute, defender Cannon Scretchen drove down the left flank with the ball before whipping a low cross into the box where midfielder Luca Sowinski was waiting. Sowinski would control the ball with one touch before placing the ball past the outstretched arms of KHFC goalkeeper Jack Moxom, who almost got to the ball.
With Lexington up 1-0 and eight minutes plus stoppage time remaining in the half, KHFC began to push for an equalizer before they hit the locker room. Forward Noah Amissah would find himself in the box, but couldn’t beat the Lexington goalkeeper Pablo Vazquez Blanco, and after a coming together with a Lexington defender, he was shown a yellow card..
In the waning seconds of the first half, Lexington striker Salvador Martinez once again had a chance at a header, this time from within the six-yard box, but failed to put it on target, meaning the lead would remain at just a single goal.
Lexington would get the first opportunity of the second half as just two minutes in, they would win a corner on the left side. Midfielder Brandon Parrish whipped in a curling ball with his right foot, and despite the best efforts of KHFC players to get a head to it, the ball wrapped against the inside post and deflected in, giving Parrish an Olimpico goal off the corner.
Now trailing by two, KHFC would continue to up the pressure, and despite some serious efforts, they just couldn’t beat Vazquez Blanco in Lexington’s goal.
Lexington would continue to find attacking avenues off the counter of KHFC attacks. Defender Cannon Scretchen once again found himself with the ball on the left flank, but this time, he dribbled into the box before placing an inch-perfect pass onto Salvador Martinez’s right foot. Martinez would deftly switch the ball to his left foot before firing the ball into the back of the net, once again just barely beating the diving Moxom.
With only 25 minutes left to play, KHFC went for broke, attempting to cash in on one of their opportunities. They would continue to put Lexington under pressure for the remainder of the half, even forcing a back-to-back save from Vazquez Blanco.
KHFC forward Bennett Painter and midfielder Casey Welage would come closest for the Hammers, with Painter watching two of his powerful shots wizz just inches past the upright. Welage would strike a ball from about 35 yards out, and while Vazquez Blanco may have been beat by the dipping effort, the ball clattered off the outside of the post, keeping the Lexington lead at three.
In the 87th minute, Lexington thought they would have the chance to add another after winning a penalty, but forward Lewis Johnson couldn’t hit the target from just 12 yards out, hitting his grounded shot off the left upright to keep things at 3-0.
Even though a few extra yellow cards were handed out to Lexington players for time wasting, it wouldn’t be enough as KHFC fell 3-0 in a very unlucky game.
They’ll look to rebound on Saturday as they travel to face new division foe West Virginia United. The KHFC men will hope to recreate their opening fixture of the season when they topped WVU 2-1. Fans are welcomed to travel to West Virginia for the match, but are encouraged to watch via the stream on Sports Engine Play if they cannot make the trip.
