Neosho takes victory over Tigers

Fort Scott's Kurtis West (white jersey) and Neosho's Jarod Hill clash as they try to direct the ball during first-half action at Ellis Park Thursday afternoon. The visiting Wildcats took a 3-1 victory as Hill scored two goals. (Scott Nuzum/Tribune)

Jarod Hill scored two goals and assisted on another as visiting Neosho (Mo.) took a 3-1 victory over Fort Scott High in a non-league soccer match at Ellis Park.

After a half-hour delay caused when two of the officials went to the wrong city, Fort Scott junior Josh Buller came out and scored quickly despite a nagging groin injury. His goal in just the third minute of play put the Tigers (5-5) up 1-0.

But while Fort Scott had the early goal, Neosho was taking more shots. For most of the first half, however, the Wildcats did not seem to have much more of a plan than get the ball close and just fire it.

Neosho (5-8) got frighteningly close to getting goals twice in the first half. Tyler Allen hit the crossbar with a shot in the 28th minute. A header off a corner kick went over the crossbar in the 38th minute.

Neosho outshot Fort Scott in the first half, 16-5, but didn't get on the board until literally seconds before halftime on Hill's first goal.

A Neosho player collided with Tiger goalie Brett Allen in the 46th minute but no foul was called. Teammate Griffin Hulbert was there to kick the loose ball away from the goal.

Buller had a rocket shot in the 49th minute that took a diving save by the Neosho goalie to keep from going into the net.

Eight minutes into the second half, Hill directed a corner kick in and Allen directed the ball into the net for a 2-1 lead.

Neosho had another shot go off the crossbar in the 68th minute. The rebound was shot wide and to the right of the goal.

Hill's second goal came with 10 minutes left in the contest.

The Tigers finished the night with just 11 shots on goal to Neosho's 24. Allen made five saves.

Fort Scott, which has alternated losses and wins in going 2-3 in its last five games, will travel to Riverton Monday for another non-league game.

Goalkeepers

N -- n/a. FS -- Brett Allen, 5 saves.

Scoring

FS -- Buller (unassisted), 3rd min.

N -- Hill (unassisted), 40th min.

N -- Allen (Hill, corner kick), 48th min.

N -- Hill, 2 (unassisted), 70th min.