Grafton ends NK win streak

New Kent’s Alec Bailey and Grafton’s Eric Bauman (20) contest for the ball in the Trojans’ Bay Rivers opener.

Alan Chamberlain photo

First half chances to gain the upper hand against Grafton’s Clippers in their Bay Rivers District soccer opener went for naught for New Kent’s host Trojans.

Instead, Grafton punched in a penalty shot for the March 28 match’s lone first half score and added three more goals after the break to claim a 4-0 win.

The outcome snapped New Kent’s unbeaten streak, dropping the hosts to 4-1 overall.

“I thought it should have been 3-1 or 3-2 [in New Kent’s favor] at halftime,” said New Kent coach Clinton Leckie. “We did a great job in the first half, and we had a lot more scoring opportunities than we did in the second half.

“Our defense stepped up,” he said. “The defense is much stronger and more solid than last year, and that’s been our strong point this year.

“We put a lot of pressure on them in the first half,” he added. “If we’d gotten a couple of goals, it would have turned the momentum around.”

For New Kent, a first half direct free kick sailed high before Matt Thomas’ attempt to put the hosts on top sailed just wide of the Clipper goal. Then Gunner Gilland had an open shot at beating Clipper goalie Jay Fox, but Fox won the encounter by smothering the ball. Fox also prevailed in another battle with Gilland just before the half expired.

With less than 11 minutes remaining before halftime, Michael Temple’s penalty kick stemming from a Trojan tripping violation in the box handed the visitors a 1-0 lead. Second half goals at the 28, 20, and 13-minute marks put the contest out of reach.

Trojan keeper Jay Barbour managed 12 saves while Fox stopped five New Kent shots.