FC Monmouth Defeats Kingston Stockade in Home Opener
MAY 18 2025
Written By Chris Dailey
FC Monmouth defeated Kingston Stockade 2-1 in their 2025 The League for Clubs (TLFC) home opener. Andrew Araya scored the game-winning goal via a penalty kick in the 89th minute after Davide Caputo was fouled.
After thrashing Lighthouse Boys Club of Kensington 6-0, Stockade proved to be much more of a challenge to FC Monmouth. Both clubs meticulously worked to break one another down in the first half to no avail.
The first twenty minutes of the second half were eerily similar. FC Monmouth found some decent chances, as did Stockade, however neither team was truly able to garner a clear-cut chance on net.
Everything changed when Caputo picked up the ball on a half-turn at the top of the attacking third in the 65th minute. Rather than shoot, Caputo opted to offload the ball to an onrushing Aidan Tisony from the left wing. Tisony slotted the ball in the bottom right corner to give FC Monmouth a 1-0 lead.
FC Monmouth held their lead for 15 minutes before the freshly substituted Frank Niang was fed a ball that soared over the Blue and Gold’s defense and into his path. Niang chipped FC Monmouth’s goalkeeper Eddie DeMarco, tying the game to the shock of the home crowd. Stockade’s bench cleared as they celebrated with Niang — who was not even on the pitch for a full sixty seconds prior to the finish — by the corner flag.
Fireworks then ensued. Both teams battled valiantly as they searched for a vital three points. FC Monmouth found an answer in the 88th minute when Lenny Aviles’ thunderous shot wasn’t saved cleanly by the Stockade goalkeeper. Caputo picked up the rebound and was quickly tripped, resulting in a penalty kick in favor of the Blue and Gold.
Captain Andrew Araya stepped up to the spot and buried the ball into the upper left corner to seal the deal. Blue smoke bombs colored the air as the Monmouth faithful celebrated.
“Once the penalty got called, I knew a leader had to step up and take it because it’s a lot of pressure to deal with. Especially the game being 1-1, back and forth, counter-attack, the stands were full, I said I had to step up and do it for the team. With my family watching it was a special moment,” stated Araya in his post-game interview.
Araya’s moment of magic turned what could’ve been a somber finish into a joyous celebration for the FC Monmouth faithful, and it also provided new head coach Hugh MacDonald with his first home win in charge of the club.
“Probably wasn’t the way we drew it up,” said MacDonald, “but we are happy to get three points at home against a really good team in front of our first home crowd, which was really nice that they showed up and did the job for us.”
MacDonald will now turn his attention to next weekend, with FC Monmouth scheduled for a 6 PM home kickoff against NY Bravehearts SC. Streaming can be found on the National Soccer Network’s YouTube Channel. Follow @wearemonmouth on social media to stay up to date with all things FC Monmouth.