Nor'easters shut out Jersey Express to snap two-game skid

Fredinho, Noumansana each score to keep Ocean City tied for second place in Mid-Atlantic Division

Nor'easters shut out Jersey Express to snap two-game skid

The Ocean City Nor'easters defeated Jersey Express 2-0 to finish a string of four straight road games on a positive note. Fredlin "Fredinho" Mompremier (Fairleigh Dickinson / Limbe, Haiti) and Ismael Noumansana (Lenoir-Rhyne / Bamako, Mali) scored the goals to clinch Ocean City's first away win against Jersey Express since the 2013 campaign.

With the win, the Nor'easters improve to 4-2-0 and are tied with Reading United AC for second place in the Mid-Atlantic Division.

The Nor'easters played a strong, attacking first 45 minutes. The team looked like they're starting to gel together in their sixth PDL match and eighth in all competitions (two US Open Cup fixtures).

Head coach John Thompson, noted that prior to tonight the team had not moved the ball around enough in the final third but they got it right tonight. 

 

"We've got the talent," John Thompson said. "It's just getting the ball in the final third to finish... We've been working on that in training."

In the 32nd minute, Fredinho opened the scoring with his second league goal and third in all competitions. His hot start continued after Akeil Barrett (Tulsa / Kingston, Jamaica) flicked the ball through the defense and he took one touch before chipping the keeper to the right side of goal. Ocean had played well to that point and got the goal they deserved.

The second half was a stronger defensive effort from Ocean City. Jersey Express were able to get forward more often and create chances in front of their home fans. Ocean City goalkeeper, Todd Morton (Delaware / West Chester, PA), who made his second appearance of the season, was not needed often, but was useful when called upon.

In the 57th minute, Jersey had their best chance of the match. The attacker got through the backline and found himself one-on-one with Morton. The 6'4 goalkeeper used his size to his advantage and stopped the attack.

Jersey Express were forced to commit numbers forward late to find an equalizer. Tidy, compact defending from Ocean City allowed them to counter attack very well. Mike Paye (Creighton / Monrovia, Liberia) played a long ball over the top to Noumansana and he was in acres of space. He had help to his right and left, but took on the goalkeeper himself and won the battle to score his first goal of the season and seal the match in second half stoppage time.

These two clubs have played each other 19 times and this was the first time Ocean City has kept a clean sheet against the Express. This was the Nor'easters second straight win over Jersey.

The two teams will square off again this weekend when Ocean City returns to "The Beach House" on Sunday, June 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. 

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