New Orleans Jesters Fall to Atlanta Silverbacks 2-0

For 87 minutes of mostly non-threatening soccer, it appeared Atlanta and New Orleans would settle for a 0-0 draw and in the process, each take a key point in the postseason chase.  But the Silverbacks got two goals in the final minutes to beat the Jesters 2-0.

In the 88th minute, Abraham Lansana hit a low shot from 25 yards out that found the far lower corner to give Atlanta the lead.

They would get an insurance goal one minute later on a left-footed rocket hit far post by Joao Johanning Mora to double the margin.

The Jesters had few scoring chances in the match, and one of those seemingly was harmless.  In the 18th minute Mason Morise, crossed a ball from the corner that carried into the crossbar.  Later in the 73rd minute Oliver Roberts attempted a testing long shot that was saved by Atlanta’s Theo Blachon.  The Jesters couldn’t muster much more and in the end were blanked by Atlanta.

Jesters head coach Kenny Farrell expressed his disappointment after the match.

“I thought the game was probably worthy of a draw.  It was so tight everywhere, lot of hard work from both teams.  Didn’t press the ball, it was about 30 yards out and obviously the keeper didn’t see it coming through because it went through a lot of bodies. But, yeah, it is unfortunate.”

The loss drops the Jesters to 7-4-2 and 23 points in the Southeast Conference. While the Silverbacks victory moves them to 20 points with two matches left to play.

New Orleans will play their regular season finale at home Saturday night against Asheville City SC at 7:00 pm at Pan American Stadium.

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