Seba United's Ricardo Geddes (left) comes under a challenge from Village United's Lacon Brissette (right) during yesterday's NPL game in Montego Bay. Village won 1-0. - photo by Adrian Frater Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
VILLAGE UNITED took a big step in their bid to move clear of the relegation zone yesterday when a second-half strike by Leon Irving gave them a 1-0 win over Seba United in their Wray and Nephew National Premier League western derby at the Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay.
By virtue of their win, ninth-place Village United have moved up to 34 points, which gives them a comfortable cushion over 11th-place Wadadah and bottom side Naggo Head, on 19 and 17 points respectively. Seba remain tenth on 29 points.
"Today we decided we would play around the football instead of chasing it and it worked very well as Seba had a tough time countering that style," said Fitzroy 'Johnny' Reid, the coach of the Village United team. "While we cannot win (the title) we are looking to qualify for the Wray & Nephew Cup."
In the first half of the game, which was lacking in substance and was characterised by poor passing, Seba United had the better of the early scoring opportunities.
In the fifth minute, Oliver Trail broke free before the goal and fired over the crossbar and seven minutes later, he came close with a long-range grounder, which was well saved by the diving goal-keeper.
Best chance
Village's best chance of the half came on the stroke of halftime when Vincent Barnes won possession on the right side of the goal area but his powerful grounder sailed across the face of the goal and out of play.
Seba created the first opportunity of the second half in the 59th minute when Stephen Forrest pounced on a rebound in front of goal but his well-struck shot was brilliantly blocked by an alert defender, who parried the ball wide with his out-stretched foot.
With Village looking more organised in their attacks they created back-to-back chances in the 62nd and 65th minutes.
First, Orlando McBayne had his close-range effort blocked on the goal line and then substitute Edward Campbell dribbled around the Seba United goalkeeper but fumbled in the process and loss possession.
Village's non-stop attacks on the Seba United goal finally paid off in the 82nd minute when Irving sped through the defence and, with defender Damion Nelson chasing him but not tackling, fired easily past the advancing goalkeeper. "We were not as dominant as we could be but our mission for today was accomplished as we got all three points," said Reid. "It is a case of all's well that ends well."
| Village | 1 |
Leon Irving 82nd Seba | 0 |
Warterhouse surrender the crown
Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
DEFENDING CHAMPION Waterhouse's hopes of retaining their title officially came to an end following a 0-0 draw with Arnett Gardens at the Waterhouse Stadium on Wednesday night.
Realistically eliminated following poor performances over the past two rounds, they needed a win to keep their slim hopes of staying in contention alive. However, with Wednesday's draw there will be no miracles for the Drewsland team, unlike the 13-point collapse which saw them lift the title a year ago. The most that they will be able to get with just five remaining games is 15 points and leaders Harbour View (61) are already 16 points ahead of the now vanquished champions. "We played with a lot of discipline. The chances were there but we were just never able to put them away," a disappointed Anthony Patrick, new man at the helm of Waterhouse, remarked after the stalemate.
"The guys played for 90 minutes today and it was just unfortunate that we did not getthe goals," he said.
Patrick, the coach of current Manning Cup champions Bridgeport, replaced embattled coach Barrington Gaynor, who resigned one week ago.
Could have made it
Waterhouse could certainly have got the goals and at one point it looked likely that they would keep their season alive with three points.
In the 85th minute, striker Jomo Gordon found himself facing goal after receiving a Roberto Fletcher cross but, taking careful aim from no more than 12 yards away, he dragged the shot past Arnett custodian Julian McLiesh and the goal.
Fletcher would himself come crashing into the area five minutes later as he looked to connect with a Demar Phillips' cross but, with the goal at his mercy, the flank player failed to make solid connection with the ball, which squirted away for a goal kick.
Solid performance
Comfortably away from the relegation zone in seventh place with 35 points and out of contention weeks ago, Arnett Gardens coach Glendon Bailey believes it was still a solid performance by his team.
"They played well today. We have missed a couple days of training but the players looked sharp." Bailey said.
"I have been trying to point out the fact that we don't need to go on all-out attack to win every game. Sometimes a draw on the road is a fair result and today it was," he said.
"We are relatively safe and with the season winding down we will just be looking to finish as high up as we can."
