Strong second half by Smithfield enough to overpower New Kent

New Kent’s Will Sutherland (right) tries to fend off Smithfield’s defender for the ball.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent’s boys’ soccer team have been trying to figure out what type of team they are. On Apr. 25, they received another lesson in working out the kinks to be successful.

After hanging tough for the first portion of the game, New Kent fell to the visiting Smithfield Packers 5-1 in Bay Rivers District action.

Smithfield jumped out early on the host, receiving goals from Sam Welch and Tamir Melvin. However, the Trojans countered with a goal from Zahier Zuazo, enough to cut the deficit to one (2-1) as teams went into the halftime intermission.

After the break, New Kent attempted to pressure the ball, but Smithfield was able to elude it. Just nine minutes into the second half, Josh Vincent found the back of the net for the Packers to increase their lead to two (3-1). A penalty kick conversion by Smithfield’s Jonathan Taylor along with his additional goal in stoppage time was enough for the Packers to upend New Kent.

After the contest, a frustrated New Kent Head Coach Derek Yates spoke about his hopes for team improvement in the near future.

“The last goal was more of a lapse, but the other goals were more set and plays,” he said, complimenting Smithfield’s attack. “We knew they were going to be a tough team and we even changed our formations.

“Tonight, we played a better team and playing a better team is good for your players,” Yates continued. “It opens their eyes and we are in the mix in some of our games coming up. The most important thing is for us to be focused.”

New Kent’s record stands at 3-5-1.