New Orleans Jesters Defeat Chattanooga FC 3-2

The New Orleans Jesters got a 65th minute goal off of an Oliver Roberts free kick to complete a dramatic 3-2 win Saturday night against Chattanooga FC.

The Jesters jumped out to a 2-0 first-half lead on goals by Roberts and Hisham Kasimu. The goal by Roberts came in the eighth minute after Kasimu fought his way down the left side and sent a ball to Roberts, who finished it off.

“It was a long ball down the line, and Hisham was running down and I am coming in late, and he cuts the ball back and I hit it down into the ground and snapped up over the keeper, and I am just delighted to get in the score sheet again,” Roberts said when asked about the goal.

Kasimu added to the lead in the 18th minute on a great individual effort where he escaped a pull from a Chattanooga defender and uncorked a left-footer into the lower left corner to double the New Orleans lead.

“I was just able to get the ball off the defender and finish it first time far post,” Kasimu added. “I am just happy we got the win. We needed that win.”

But Chattanooga FC, rallied with two second-half goals, despite playing a man down for the final 66 minutes of the match. The first came from Santiago Moore in the 56th minute. Chattanooga continued to pressure the New Orleans back line and six minutes later Felipe Oliveira got behind the backs and put it past Chad Collins to level the match at 2-2.

Three minutes later, New Orleans got the game-winner when Roberts took a free kick from the side of the penalty area. Tony Judice flashed in front of the defender, who had the ball deflect off of him and into his own net for the 3-2 final score. For the Jesters it was a huge three points after falling at home Wednesday against Atlanta Silverbacks FC.

“On our day we can beat anyone in this league,” Roberts continued. “We play good football and we have all of the talent in the world. In the last few games we have just made a few mistakes here and there that we just need to cut out and move forward.”

Jesters head coach Kenny Farrell said this win was extremely important.

“We leapfrog them on points and they have a game in hand so we put pressure on them. We have pressure on us. This league is turning out to be a fantastic league from top to bottom. No one gets an easy game.”

The Jesters now have a week off before they host Inter Nashville FC. That match is Saturday, June 23rd at Pan American Stadium with a 7:00 pm kickoff.

Photo Credit: James Cage Jr.