Jones scores but Central held 2-2

Jones, in his first game with Central FC since he joined on loan earlier this month, was joined on the score-sheet by Marcus Joseph, while defenders Seth Sinovic and Kevin Ellis netted for the MLS team.

Central FC looked more purposeful, in all areas, than their August 2 meeting against group leaders Vancouver Whitecaps, which they lost by a 1-0 margin.

But defensive lapses proved costly against the visitors.

Jones, Joseph and utility player Elton John were inserted in the starting line-up by Central FC coach Dale Saunders, at the expense of Jason Marcano, Nicholas Dillon and Kaydion Gabriel, while Kansas City’s coach Peter Vermes rested four starters.

Jones had a couple moments to score early in the first half, which he squandered, but goalkeeper Javon Sample was called upon to produce a fine save to deny stand-in skipper Roger Espinoza in the 28th minute.

Jones and Joseph combined to produce two opportunities at goal – Jones found Joseph in a breakaway move but Joseph’s left-footer went wide of the mark while Jones headed home Joseph’s free-kick in the 41st but referee Henry Bejarano disallowed the goal due to an infringement on goalie Jon Kempin.

Sample did well to save a point-blank shot from Brad Davis in the 48th but he was powerless to stop Sinovic from putting his team ahead three minutes later.

A free-kick from the right was not cleared by the Central FC defence and Davis, from the middle, sent a ball to overlapping left-back Sinovic. Andre Ettienne, in his attempt to clear the ball to safety, saw the ball rebound off Sinovic and trickle into the net.

Central FC responded with two goals, in the space of three minutes.

In the 54th, Sean De Silva was sent clear on goal by Jones but his tame effort was saved by Kempin. But a lurking Joseph was on hand to drill home the loose ball, with a powerful right-footer.

Two minutes afterwards, Jones and Joseph exchanged passes, on a breakaway, with Jones guiding his right-footed shot, from a tight angle, past Kempin.

But another national player, Keron Cummings, turned over possession outside his penalty area, and Davis, on the right, picked out central defender Kevin Ellis who got around Sample and sent the ball into the open net.

Sample did well to thwart goal-bound efforts from Diego Kostner and Nuno Coelho, in the latter stages of the encounter.