Florida Roots Defeat Port City FC in U-19 Play

By Port City FC

Playing for a second consecutive night, the Port City Sounders hosted the Florida Roots on Saturday afternoon.  A first half deficit would prove to be too much for the Sounders again, as they were defeated by the away side 5-3. 

The scoring would begin early from the Jackson County Soccer Complex.  The opening kick from the Roots was lumped forward into the Sounders half.  The ball would be knocked down and after a few quick passes, Ridge Hatton would get the scoring started after just 30 seconds with a ball placed in the corner past the outstretched arms of the Sounders keeper Carl Blundell. The roots would double their advantage in the 27th minute via a Samuel Sanchez strike. 

Following some promising play from the Sounders, the Florida Roots would soon strike for their third goal of the afternoon.  Port City had done well to earn a corner kick in the 32nd minute. The Roots were able to clear their lines well and hit the Sounders on the counter by way of another Sanchez finish.

Finding themselves down 3-0, Port City needed an immediate reaction, and that is exactly what the boys showed.  Nearing the end of the first half, Donevin Esterhuizen brought Port City back into the match with his strike making the score 3-1.  The score would go into the halftime break with the Florida Roots up by two goals.

The second half would begin just as the first half ended.  Port City would build up pressure and begin to attack the Roots goal.  Denim Lombard would get on the scoresheet in the 58th minute to put Port City in striking distance at 3-2.  Following a free kick, the Port City forward was able to find an opening and put the ball away.  Another Esterhuizen strike in the 62nd minute would draw the Sounders level on the evening at 3-3.  A corner kick bounced around in front of the Roots penalty area and was finished neatly by the Sounders midfielder.

However, the comeback would fizzle out and the Roots would take over the last few minutes of the match.  In the 85th minute, the Roots broke down the right side of the pitch.  After a well-worked ball was put into the mix, Zachary Bischoff was able to finish off the play putting the Roots back up 4-3.  Sanchez would finish off the scoring for the afternoon when his strike from distance would find the back of the net to make the final score of 5-3 to the away side.

These two clubs will be back in action tomorrow at 11:00 am at the Jackson County Soccer Complex.

Photo Credit: Port City FC