So that’s what it feels like to lose? Yea, doesn’t feel too good but for a new club, to not have to experience it until six games in, isn’t so bad.
For the New Orleans Jesters it was their second game in as many days and a couple of their players had taken a few knocks from the night before, so for them to pull off a convincing win against the Division’s top club and the #12 team in the country, says a lot about the depth of NOLA (and possibly the validity of the NPSL ranking system)
Reese Wilson collected a hat trick for the home squad as they eased their way to a 5-1 thumping of Nashville FC in front of a solid home crowd at Pan Am Stadium on Saturday night.
It was Nashville who looked like the tired, banged up side but that wasn’t until after the visitors got off to a fascinating start.
Alan O’Connor, who missed what would have been the game winning PK in stoppage time last week against Rocket City United, promised on twitter he would make it up to his fans. It didn’t take him long to do that. Just under the midway point of the first half O’Connor headed in a goal off of a free kick to put Nashville FC up 1-0.
Unfortunately, the lead only lasted 7 minutes.
Reece Wilson responded with a goal as he got one past NFC keeper, Rumwald Le Guevel to equalize.
As the first half began to wind down, Nashville FC had a shot saved by Jester’s keeper, Andrew Tarbell, who quickly got the counter going on the other end with a long ball, which led to Phil Dean hitting the back of the net, giving New Orleans the 2-1 lead.
The hosts added a third late in the first half and again got an assist from the keeper. This time the long pass found Jordan Hulme, who blasted one from the left side of the 18 into the Nashville FC net.
Trailing 3-1 at the half, Nashville FC was going to need something special to happen in the final ’45 to leave the Big Easy with a point and a minor miracle to take all three.
That didn’t happen.
Wilson got his second in the 48th minute with a Penalty Kick all but ending Nashville FC’s undefeated start to the season. Wilson’s hat trick came just a few moments later turning a sure win into an impressive blow out of the league leaders.
That now pulls New Orleans within 1 point of Nashville FC with 1o total points to Nashville’s 11.
Chattanooga was rained out last night in Huntsville, so they will play tomorrow and depending on that result, Nashville FC may no longer be at the top of the SouthEast Table.
Nashville has a couple of days to prepare for their rematch with I-65 Rival Rocket City United. That game will be on Tuesday, so check here on Monday for a preview of that match.
