Western Bureau:
Montego Bay's Seba Untouchables made a dismal start to their campaign in the 2006 Sherwin Williams Women's National Premier League when they were beaten 3-1 by St. Catherine's Upliftment in their first round fixture at the UDC playing field in Montego Bay on Sunday.
The seemingly more organised Uplift-ment got theirs through the skilful Shanika Gordon (2) and Shanice Steele, while Untouchables, which featured a number of new recruits, got their lone goal from the boot of Kemula Omfrey.
"We gave up too much space in midfield and the St. Catherine team used that against us," said suspended Untouchables midfield star Lorraine Mair. "Come next game we should be a lot stronger because the senior players who missed today's game will be back in the line-up."
The game, which was played almost at a relaxed pace, started with Upliftment taking the lead with their first attack on goal. Gordon dribbled through the Untouchables defence and cracked a powerful grounder past goalkeeper Nordia Blair, making the score 1-0.
With the half, Untouchables drew level against the run of play. Omfrey pounced on a cross before the Upliftment goal and clipped the ball past the goalkeeper, making the half-time score 1-1.
Scorching Grounder
In second-half action, Upliftment again struck early to reclaim the lead as Steele unleashed a scorching grounder which sailed past a diving goalkeeper Blair, making the score 2-1.
With Untouchables offering very little resistance, goalkeeper Blair was called upon to make a series of splendid saves as the Upliftment front-line launched non-stop attacks on her goal. She was beaten for a third time midway the half when Gordon ran unto a pass from midfield and curled it into the roof of the net, making the final score 3-1.
"We lost our first game 3-0 to Barbican and we were determined not to lose again today," said Upliftment's captain Marcelee McBean. "With this victory under our belt we can now look forward to the remainder of the season with greater confidence."
- A.F.
