Second half lifts Tabb past New Kent 5-0

Tabb's Matt Montgomery tumbles over New Kent goalkeeper Jan Czech who dives on a Tiger pass near the Trojan goal.

Alan Chamberlain photo

New Kent’s host Trojans held Tabb’s powerful Tigers to a single first half goal. The visitors, however, dominated after the break to hand the Trojans a 5-0 setback in Friday night soccer.

“The first half was pretty good,” said Trojan coach Keith Grant, whose team fell to 0-6. “But [Tabb] is another one of the stronger teams.

“I told the guys that two seasons ago we were losing games to teams like this by the slaughter rule, so we are improving,” he said.

“It takes time to build a soccer team,” he added. “We’ve been keeping JV players down on JV so they can play together more and build their confidence before they come up to varsity.”

Offensive fireworks took a back seat in the first half. The two teams combined for only eight shots, but the Tigers’ Stanley Henderson placed one past Trojan keeper Jan Czech for a 1-0 halftime lead.

The Tigers took command after play resumed. A leaping Czech misjudged a lofty pass launched toward the Trojan goal by the Tigers’ Andrew Lenfant. The ball barely cleared Czech’s outstretched arms, giving the visitors’ Matt Montgomery opportunity to punch in an open shot for a 2-0 lead nine minutes into the period.

Tabb went on to add three more goals, including one on a penalty kick, to account for the final margin.

Tabb held a 13-10 advantage in shots. Czech and Tiger keeper Noah Shorb managed three saves apiece.

“Our guys played hard and were passionate, to say the least,” said Grant.