New Orleans Jesters and AFC Mobile Finish with 1-1 Draw

Sheldon Green scores late goal as Jesters rally to earn point in opener

By New Orleans Jesters

Striker Sheldon Green scored a 90th minute equalizer to earn the New Orleans Jesters a point vs. AFC Mobile on Saturday night at Pan American Stadium in the season opening game.  Green fired home from close range with seconds remaining to mark his debut for the Jesters in style.

Head coach Kenny Farrell was pleased with his side’s resilience.

“The boys have only been training for a couple of weeks and I thought they showed tremendous character and fight to come back and get us a point tonight,” Farrell said. “I am very happy for Sheldon to get his goal, he worked extremely hard and it just shows you what can happen if you refuse to give up.  I see a lot of potential in this team and we will get stronger as the season progresses.”

The game started at a frantic pace and both teams exchanged chances before AFC Mobile took the lead in the 15th minute with a well-worked set piece.  The ball was whipped in from the left and defender Mario Gratzle met the cross to snap a header home past New Orleans goalkeeper Jose Santos.

The Jesters responded to the setback and created several good chances before half time.  

AFC Mobile goalkeeper William Blake was in fine form, denying Mason Walsh with diving save in the 24th minute then watching five minutes later as a strike from Jackson Hulme deflected high off the crossbar.

After the break New Orleans adjusted their shape switching to a back three and moving defender Mason Morise into an attacking role.  The adjustment almost paid dividends in the 70th minute as Walsh picked out Morise just outside the box.  Morise rounded Blake but blasted wide from an acute angle.

With time running out it looked like AFC Mobile would hang on for all three points but Sheldon Green’s late heroics changed the narrative as the teams shared the points.

The Jesters head to Southern States SC next Saturday night as they continue in Gulf Coast Conference competition.  Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm with a stream available on MyCujoo.

Photo Credit: James E. Cage Jr.