Lion make big move with big victory

Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Humble Lion carved out their best scoring performance in the Digicel Premier League, blowing away Rivoli United 4-1 at Effortville Community Centre yesterday.

Big-kicking and firmly built Omando McLeod scored twice from moves set up by his physical advantage, while there was a goal apiece from Denzil Watson (62nd minute) and Zico Herrera (89th).

Kemar Brown's 30th-minute goal for Rivoli, which equalised the first scored by McLeod eight minutes earlier, proved of little consolation for a team that has slipped to the relegation tier.

Coach Bradley Stewart, the assistant to Theodore Whtimore in the national programme, emphasised his team missing the services of main marksman Devon Hodges, who went on trial last week in search of US Major League Soccer contract.

"Of course, we had three or so good chances to score and no one to put them in," an obviously embarrassed-looking Stewart said.

Further luck

Those chances needed further luck, given the continued superb performance of Shawn Sawyers in goal. Yet, the margin of victory could have been more, had Roberto Fletcher not have his second-half penalty saved by Leon Goffe in goal.

Humble Lion's win has lifted them from 10th on 28 points to seventh on 31. This was also the second time that Humble Lion were winning against Rivoli this season.

The win for the Clarendonians eased pressure on their coach, Christopher Bender, but he felt his team still lacked the important quality of holding the ball when the pressure was on.

"We have played better but not scored so much goals, so that is the big difference today. But I feel at no time were able to control the tempo of the game. Against a better team, it could have hurt us."