New Orleans Jesters Defeat Port City FC 2-0
By New Orleans Jesters
The New Orleans Jesters defeated Port City FC 2-0 Saturday night at Pan American Stadium. Both goals came within the first ten minutes in what became a heated encounter that saw Port City finish the match with nine players after receiving two red cards.
New Orleans Jesters head coach Kenny Farrell was pleased to see his side pick up their first win of the campaign.
“I’m very pleased for the boys,” Farrell said. “They worked extremely hard tonight and fought to the very end. Mason’s goal was superb and I felt that the overall performance merited the three points. We need to build on this with a strong week of training as we look ahead to a tough match next Saturday versus Jacksonville.”
The game began at a frantic pace but it was New Orleans who started on the front foot. The first goal came in the fourth minute after some slick interplay through the midfield with Mason Walsh slipping a pass into the path of winger Jowayne Laidley.
Laidley then drilled the ball across the face of the goal and Port City defender Reece Harrison deflected into his own net as he attempted to clear.
Walsh doubled the advantage with his second goal of the season five minutes later. He received the ball twenty yards out and shaped a curling shot into the far corner past goalkeeper Owen Betz.
Minutes later Port City had a golden chance to peg a goal back after being awarded a penalty kick. Striker Courtney Smith struck the ball well but Jesters goalkeeper Jose Santos dove to his right and smothered the shot away to safety.
The game changed in the 65th minute as Betz was shown a straight red card for rushing from his box and shoving Jesters striker Sheldon Green to the ground.
With minutes remaining Port City lost another player to a straight red card after Guilherme Terra was sent off for another rash challenge.
The Jesters remain at home next Saturday night versus Jacksonville Armada FC U-23. Gates open at 6:00 pm with kickoff set for 7:00 pm.
Photo Credit: James E. Cage Jr.
