A makeshift Boston City FC line up fought hard to try to upset a Kingston Stockade side riding the wave of a nine-match unbeaten streak, but fell short, conceding two goals in a ten-minute second half spell in a 3-0 away defeat.
With several players playing out of position, the Lions did themselves proud against a side with NPSL playoff aspirations. Sandro van Kuijck replaced Jason Katz between the posts, with the keeper who has produced some fine stops in tough situations on the bench. Keith Dixon and Ralph Angrand formed a new central defensive partnership, while Samuel Deossa, Chris Gilbert and Jonathan Argueta – all midfielders by trade – occupied the forward roles.
The Lions were missing all eight of their new signings who were unavailable, having followed interim coach Roberto Mazzinghy to the club, but are expected to return for consideration next week. Joint leading scorer John Dumbuya was absent having left the team, as were fellow top scorer Jhonata Batista and forward Rigoberto Jimenez, both through suspension.
The Lions trailed after five minutes when a long ball over the top of the defense found Alejandro Riquelme and he unleashed an unstoppable first-time finish into the top corner that gave van Kuijck no chance.
The Stockade should have doubled their lead seven minutes later. A miscued quick throw in from William Balanta to Avner Alves turned the ball over on the left sideline allowing Pedro Espindola to race down the wing and cut inside past the chasing Alves, but his smart pull back was blazed over the cross bar by Frankie Ljucovic.
Boston City’s best chance of the half came after 31 minutes when Jonathan Argueta played a ball from the back for Ben Manoogian to feed Chris Gilbert, whose finish was saved by home keeper Gregory Monroe.
Seven minutes after the interval, Christopher Robinson turned Angrand on the edge of the penalty area to set up Riquelme, whose snap shot ricocheted back off the cross bar.
With 65 minutes played, the ever-dangerous Espindola played a neat pass inside the Lions 18-yard box to find Justin Jaime behind his marker and he tucked his finish beyond van Kuijck inside the far post.
A third Stockade goal was inevitable and arrived after 76 minutes with Espindola again the creator as he fed Vinny Colantuono, who cut inside to shoot across van Kuijck.
Three minutes later, sub Braeden Van Epps controlled the ball out wide and crossed for Jaime, whose first-time shot was well parried by van Kuijck to deny the hosts a fourth goal.
Nine minutes from time, the Lions might have claimed a consolation goal as Samuel Deossa got free down the left and crossed for debutant Chris Gilbert to shoot first time narrowly wide of the target and into the side-netting.
Boston City close out the 2019 NPSL campaign with two successive home matches at Harry Della Russo Stadium in Revere. The Stockade visit next Sunday, June 30 at 6pm and New York Athletic Club provide the opposition on Saturday, July 6 at 7pm.
