Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
RENO FC grabbed an important lifeline to slow down their descent towards the relegation zone when goals by Omar Dallas and skipper Fabian Blake gave them a 2-0 win over Wadadah in their 2005-06 Wray & Nephew National Premier League derby at Jarrett Park yesterday.
By virtue of the win, Reno which remain in 10th position on 26 points opened up some daylight between themselves and cellar dwellars Constant Spring (21) and Rivoli United (18). Wadadah remain in ninth position on 28 points.
"This result means a great deal to us as it has eased our relegation concerns for the time being," said Reno's coach Eaton Bruce. "We need to come up with a few more performances like these because we are now at a crucial stage in this competition."
The game started with Wadadah on the attack and creating a good chance in the sixth minute. Jermaine Anderson pounced on a lofted cross before the goal but his powerful header sailed wide of a diving goalkeeper Aaron Lawrence and the goal.
Midway the half Reno wasted a glorious chance when Ricardo Scott pounced on a low cross before the goal but he failed to get his header on target. Wadadah staged a beautiful counter attack a minute later but after being sent clear by skipper Daniel Rickettes, Anderson fumbled and lost
possession.
Reno took the lead in the 38th minute when Dallas latched onto a free-kick just inside the penalty area and clipped the ball out of the reach of goalkeeper Gavin Barrett, making the half-time score 1-0.
Wadadah wasted a glorious chance to draw level four minutes into the second half when Rickettes dribbled through the Reno defence but his attempted lob was well read by goalkeeper Lawrence, who collected the ball safely.
With Wadadah turning up the pressure and battling to upstage Reno in midfield, the Westmore-land team struck for the second time in the 67th minute. A superb cross by Gary McIntosh found Blake unmarked infront of the goal and his firm header flew into the roof of the net, making the score 2-0.
Reno should have widened their lead in the 74th minute when Martin Williams broke free before the Wadadah goal but an alert goalkeeper Barrett left his line smartly to block his effort.
In the dying minutes Wadadah just missed grabbing a consolation goal when substitute Oliver Sewell found himself with space behind the Reno defence, but his powerful grounder was well saved by Lawrence.
GOALSHEET
Reno 2
Omar Dallas 38th, Fabian Blake 67th
Wadadah 0
