JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Armada had plenty of new things to experience on Sunday. Not only was the match against the San Francisco Deltas the start of the Fall Season for both NASL clubs, but it was also the first match for Jacksonville since Robert Palmer purchased the club from the league.
Around the match, there as a new video board that was brought into UNF's Hodges Stadium, to more camera positions for the TV broadcast and the debut of one of the new additions to the team, forward Brian Shriver.
All the new was accompanied by one "not so new" occurrence as the Armada continue to be unbeaten against the Deltas, the second place team in the Spring Season after a 1-1 draw.
Jack Blake put the Armada on top when he converted a penalty kick in the 35th minute. The opportunity was set up by Derek Gebhard who used his speed to create the penalty in the area. Blake slotted the ball in the lower right corner for his third goal of the season.
Jacksonville took a 1-0 lead to halftime thanks to a number of clutch stops by goalkeeper Caleb-Petterson Sewell, who finished with seven saves., but in the second half, San Francisco broke through. Brazilian midfielder Jackson's perfectly weighted through ball set up Danny Cruz, who beat Patterson-Sewell one-on-one to equalize in the 58th minute.
“It’s not the worst start. We got the draw, but hopefully we can bounce back and get the win next week,” said Blake.
The Armada next travel to Puerto Rico to face Puerto Rico FC on Saturday at 7:30. The match will be broadcast on WJXT.