Early New Kent lead disappears, Northampton rolls 7-1

New Kent's Christian Lysek (right) leaps for a header along with Northampton's Arturo Gildo.

Alan Chamberlain photo

The early moments of New Kent’s soccer clash with Northampton’s invading Yellow Jackets couldn’t have been better for the host Trojans. Less than three minutes into Friday night’s contest, New Kent took a 1-0 lead against a team that had won the first meeting between the two squads just three nights earlier.

“We got off to a fast start,” said Trojan coach Keith Grant. “Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out that way.”

New Kent never scored again, and the early advantage failed to hold up. The Yellow Jackets broke open the contest just before halftime on the way to a 7-1 win.

A Josue Benitez pass set up teammate Darren McCaughan who blasted a shot past Northampton keeper Gabe Webb to put New Kent in front. Defense held off the visitors over the next 10 minutes, but a fluke goal, accidentally knocked in by a Trojan defender, evened the contest.

With 13 minutes left in the first half, the Yellow Jackets’ Bayron Ortiz beat charging Trojan keeper Billy John to a pass to put the visitors in front. Then in the final minute before the break, the Yellow Jackets punched in two more goals, first on a shot from 45 yards out and then on the attack with 10 seconds left, for a 4-1 halftime lead.

“That other team is probably the fastest we’ve seen this year, and their goalie is the best I’ve seen. He sets up a lot for them,” said Grant.

Northampton managed an 18-8 advantage in shots. John stopped five Yellow Jacket shots while Justin Cox, who took over in goal in the second half, managed five saves. Webb smothered four New Kent shots.

“We’re a young team,” Grant said after his Trojans fell to 0-4. “My guys are better than that [record], but you’ve got to win.”