Sporting JAX picked up a comfortable 2-0 win on the road against Sarasota Paradise on Wednesday night, with goals from Rafferty Pedder and Ahmad Al Qaq sealing all three points in USL League One action.
The first half was a patient affair from the visitors. Sporting JAX found their breakthrough in the 34th minute when Pedder finished off a Kieran Sadlier delivery to put his side ahead. Sarasota struggled to muster a meaningful response before the break, and Sporting JAX went into halftime with their lead intact.
The home side came out with more urgency after the interval but quickly found themselves on the wrong side of the referee. Jonathan Bolanos was cautioned in the 50th minute, and Ethan Bryant followed him into the book on 80 minutes as Sarasota's frustration mounted. Maximus Tainio picked up a yellow deep in stoppage time to cap a disciplined night for the hosts.
Sporting JAX were not immune to the card count — Harvey Neville was booked in the 48th minute and Ethan Dudley at the end of the first half — but the visitors managed the game well and never looked in serious danger of conceding.
The insurance goal arrived three minutes from time. Edgardo Rito played in Ahmad Al Qaq, who made no mistake to double the advantage and effectively kill the contest. It was a clinical counter that punished Sarasota for pushing numbers forward in search of an equalizer.
The result extends Sporting JAX's strong form on the road and leaves Sarasota Paradise searching for answers after another defeat at home.
USL League One