Jesters defeat Florida Roots to move into first place

Panama City, FL.  The New Orleans Jesters defeated Florida Roots FC 3-2 tonight at Tommy Oliver Stadium in Panama City. The win lifts the Jesters into first place in the NPSL’s Gulf Coast Conference.

After a scoreless first half New Orleans finally took the lead in the 51st minute.  Ricardo Gomez broke a tackle and fired home a stinging shot from 20 yards out.

The lead only lasted two minutes as Roots midfielder Richard Bushmeister drilled home an equalizer from the left side of the penalty area.

The Jesters retook the lead in the 65th minute after some neat interplay between Rolando Sanchez and Erick Gunera.  Gunera played the ball wide to Sanchez who squared it back inside for Gunera to finish with a placed shot into the left corner.

Sheldon Green made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute, lashing a shot past the keeper after winning possession back and fighting off the challenge of the Florida defender.

Roots pulled a goal back in the 85th minute with a strike from Evan Power that flew in off the inside of the post.

Florida came close to leveling in stoppage time but Jesters defender James Raptis supplied the heroics, clearing a shot off the line to preserve all three points for New Orleans.

The Jesters next game is at home on June 17th versus Tallahassee SC with kick off set for 7 PM ($10, nolajesters.com).