September 25, 2013
Frustration: Bulldogs tamed by Anna-Jonesboro, lose 3 of last 4
ports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Anna-Jonesboro provided Sikeston with a level of frustration the Bulldogs normally don't see. Sikeston's attack was bothered by a buzzy Wildcats' defense which led to a 3-1 win by Anna-Jonesboro Tuesday at the Sikeston Sports Complex...
By Chris Pobst -- Standard Democrat
sports@standard-democrat.com
SIKESTON -- Anna-Jonesboro provided Sikeston with a level of frustration the Bulldogs normally don't see.
Sikeston's attack was bothered by a buzzy Wildcats' defense which led to a 3-1 win by Anna-Jonesboro Tuesday at the Sikeston Sports Complex.
"They're a frustrating team," Sikeston head coach Doyle Noe said. "They don't necessarily possess the ball a lot, but they have athletes all over the field. Their counter-attack is deadly and they were able to get inside our defense."
Sikeston has lost three of their last four games and stand with a 7-5-1 record. After losing the first game of the season, Anna-Jonesboro has rattled off 10-straight wins.
The Bulldogs were especially annoyed by Anna-Jonesboro's presence on defense. The Wildcats' defensive style shrunk the field by pushing multiple defenders up which led to more deflected and stolen passes as well as limited shot opportunities.
"They're a strong team and you can't let down," Anna head coach Mark Boomer said about Sikeston. "Your defense has to stay up and keep the pressure on. That's what we did."
Although their defense swarmed Sikeston, Anna allowed the Bulldogs a breakaway goal in just the second minute thanks in part to Tyler McClinton.
McClinton, a junior, took advantage of his quickness to catch up to a pass from Layton Jones just as Anna goalie Steve Wells left his post to retrieve as well. McClinton popped a low-lying shot just over a sliding Wells to hit the back of the net giving Sikeston their first and only lead of the night.
"Him coming back is huge and just adds another element to the team," Noe said about McClinton, who has been out of action for unspecified reasons. "He's got 'track-speed' up top and athleticism. He really catches a lot of teams off-guard with his speed."
A quick goal just minutes into the game can cause many teams much damage. Anna, however, bounced right back.
In the sixth minute Anna's Marcus Taylor tied the game with a goal that ping-ponged in front of Sikeston's net and landed behind goalie Caleb Hampton.
"Getting an early goal is huge and a lot of times it will take the wind out of the other team's sails a bit, but, they equalized a couple minutes later," Noe said.
It took 22 minutes before Anna gained the advantage following the first of two goals by Ben Godinez. Anna-Jonesboro led 2-1 at the half.
"Once everything settled down, we settled in," Boomer said. "(Sikeston's) a physically, strong team -- especially in the back. We tried to keep it away from them and use one of our forwards as a decoy to have the other forward loosened up."
Although they finished with 14 shots-on-goal, Sikeston's chances to score were drained by the second half. After burning them once already Anna put a spotlight on McClinton by denying him the ball with multiple defenders shadowing the playmaker.
"Sometimes, facing that kind of defense, things will go your way and you'll get breakaways and you have to finish," said Noe. "Tyler (McClinton) finished an early one but we never really did seem to get our offense going. They were in the right place and were able to frustrate us a bit.
"(McClinton) buried one early, but by the time the second half came around (Anna-Jonesboro) stuck a guy in his pocket and another right beside him too."
The game stood at 2-1 for most of the second half until the 66th minute. Godizez scored his second goal of the night by beating replacement goalie Andrew Pearson with a low kick. Pearson replaced Hampton to start the second half.
"It seemed like our defense was getting spread a little too far," Noe said. "(Anna) found seams and they were able to sink in. We didn't rotate real well.
"Hat's off to (Anna-Jonesboro). They've won a lot of games and they're going to win a lot more."
McClinton finished with five shots-on-goal while Audi Hay and Sam Cox each added three shots apiece.
Following an off day today, Sikeston will travel to Poplar Bluff Thursday.
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