Jesters Fall in Knoxville on Late Goal

The New Orleans Jesters’ unbeaten streak was halted at three after they fell to Emerald Force SC Wednesday night in Knoxville 1-0.

The Jesters had several opportunities in the first half that they couldn’t capitalize on. The team seemingly had the opening goal in the 27th minute, but Tom Peers’ tally was disallowed after he was ruled offside.  The Jesters had several other opportunities in the first half but were denied by Force goalkeeper Ryan Coulter. The teams went to halftime scoreless.

Jesters head coach Kenny Farrell was disappointed in all of the missed opportunities.

“We came in nil-nil at half and you go…we aren’t clinical enough.  We are tearing them up but we aren’t clinical enough.  That’s why it’s nil-nil. We weren’t ruthless enough.”

Emerald Force SC got the lone goal of the match in the 79th minute on a free kick by Alexander Garuba that found the lower corner to the left of Chad Collins.

The Jesters nearly answered two minutes later when Chase Rushing’s header was robbed at point-blank range by Coulter.  The game ended 1-0 just four weeks after the Jesters had knocked off the Force in the season opener 4-0.

Farrell shared comments on the turnaround.

“I don’t think the mental focus was tough enough. I think player for player they thought they were the better side but team-wise they weren’t because they didn’t win it. So that’s what it boils down to.  You learn and lick your wounds and move on.”

The Jesters (3-2-1) return to action Friday night at Georgia Revolution FC.

Contributor: Paul Boron/New Orleans Jesters
Photo Credit: Paul Boron/New Orleans Jesters