Englishman scores three times in win over Indy Eleven

Young Englishman Jack Blake orchestrated Jacksonville Armada FC’s first win of the Fall Season, finding the back of the net three times in the club’s 3-2 victory over Indy Eleven. Blake’s hat trick was the first in club history and also earned him North American Soccer League (NASL) Player of the Week honors, the league announced Monday.

Blake, who is now Jacksonville’s leading scorer with seven goals, tallied his first of the night in the 28th minute. Bryam Rebellón cut a pass back to the top of the box and Blake’s low shot found the bottom corner for the game’s opening goal. Blake, a native of Nottingham, England, celebrated with his nod to Robin Hood, which became a sight Indy Eleven would soon like to forget.

Five minutes before halftime, Blake scored his second of the game. Standing over a free kick, the Englishman delivered a well-executed strike from his right foot to find the top corner, leaving veteran goalkeeper Jon Busch flat-footed.

Later in the contest, Blake again would show his accuracy from a set piece. In the 62nd minute, from an identical distance, the 22-year-old curled his shot into the bottom corner past a diving Busch.

All three of the Armada FC midfielder’s goals proved vital as the Boys in Blue mounted a late comeback. Ben Speas beat Jacksonville goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell with a low shot in the 66th minute before turning provider for David Goldsmith to head into the goal in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.

Blake has become a mainstay in the midfield for Jacksonville, starting 18 of his 19 appearances this year. The youngster is no stranger to the NASL, playing 11 times last season in the league with Minnesota United.

Before coming stateside, Blake grew up in the Nottingham Forest Academy before joining the club’s first team from 2013-15. The Englishman also spent a loan spell in 2013 with English side Mansfield Town.

Jacksonville now aims to build off its first win of the Fall Season, going back on the road to face the New York Cosmos. The matchup will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday night, which can be seen live on CW17 (Jacksonville), ESPN3 (U.S.) and NASL.com (Canada and the rest of the world).

The Jacksonville Armada FC will return home on Saturday, Sept. 9 to play Indy Eleven for First Responder's Night at Hodges Stadium. Tickets can be purchased on ArmadaFC.com.