Maxwell happy with fighting spirit

Gareth Davis Snr, Gleaner Writer

Coach Geoffrey Maxwell left Lynch Park on Sunday with a huge smile after, came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw with St Georges Sports Club in their Digicel Premier League game at Lynch Park.

"We played a tough game and I am happy with the result," he said. "It was always going to be difficult against Georges and I believe my team played well after having to chase twice against a tough opponent.

"Yes, they dominated the first half, but we fought our way back," he added. "I believe it was a good match-up played on a good surface."

It was a first-half in which both teams looked ordinary for the most part, with the exception of a goal in the 21st minute.

Georges took the lead after Damion Harwood played a high ball towards goal. Goalkeeper Richard McCallum advanced from his line and made a horrendous mistake, as he miscalculated the bounce and the ball went over his head. It left Richardo Watson to tussle with a defender who, in his attempt to clear the ball, managed only to play it into his own goal.

That lead was shortlived as a build-up between Damion Williams, Stephen Williams and Nicholi Findlayson resulted in the latter firing an angled shot from the right flank, which dipped and beat the faulty goalkeeper at his near post.

The second half started with Georges earnining a penalty for handball as a shot was cannoned goalwards from a corner kick. Referee Courtney Campbell pointed to the spot and Dwayne Holmes firmly placed a right-footed kick to McCallum's left and scored in the 48th minute to give St Georges the lead a second time.

Rebuilding process

Maxwell brought on Kevin Lamey in the 60th minute in search of an equaliser and the veteran striker started leading the rebuilding process, following which they begun to launch a series of relentless attacks.

In one of those offensiive moves, the unmarked Kemar Thomas was picked out inside the 18-yard box. He calmly controlled, then fired past Ralston Robinson in goal to tie the score 2-2.

St Georges' coach, Braxton Hyre, praised his team.

"We gave a good account of ourselves today," he said. "The team fought hard and that is the way I want to see my team playing. Today we played 90 minutes of football and, against a quality team like Waterhouse, we held our heads high."