Trojans top Essex, go to 4-0 on season

New Kent’s Nishan Moomjian blocks the effort to reach the ball by Essex’s Robert Watkins.

Alan Chamberlain photo

After a disappointing winless soccer campaign a year ago, New Kent’s Trojans are on a roll. Last Friday night, the Trojans upped their unbeaten streak to four with a 5-2 conquest of Essex’s visiting Trojans.

“I’ll take it,” said Trojan coach Clinton Leckie. “It’s a lot better than last year.”

The contest, however, did not get off to a great start. First, New Kent keeper Jay Barbour sustained an ankle sprain in warm-ups. And since New Kent does not have a back-up goalie, Barbour pressed forward into action.

Then Essex took advantage as Robert Watkins rolled a shot under Barbour for a 1-0 lead 13 minutes into the match.

But Barbour never surrendered another goal until late in the game. By then, New Kent held a comfortable 5-1 lead that included four straight goals from Gunner Gilland.

Five minutes after Essex pulled in front, Gilland evened the count on a pass from Nishan Moomjian. Near the 10 minute mark and after Essex’s James Briggs tripped New Kent’s Matt Thomas in the box, Gilland hammered a penalty shot past keeper Jason Compton to put the hosts in front to stay.

Nine minutes into the second half, Gilland bounced his third goal past Compton and added his fourth four minutes later. Thomas’ shot with just over 16 minutes left opened the 5-1 advantage.

“I kept telling our guys to possess the ball and try to work the ball on the ground with their feet more, and they did a good job with that,” said Leckie.

New Kent’s defense kept pressure off Barbour, who made four saves after Essex’s first goal. The hosts forced Compton to make 11 saves.