'Morale booster' moves Georges to fourth

Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

Assistant coach of St Georges Sports Club's football team, Raymond 'Munzie' Gordon, was a happy man following their 1-0 victory over Sporting Central Academy in the Digicel Premier League match-up at Lynch Park on Sunday.

"This victory is a morale booster for my team," said Gordon. "We've waited a long time for this victory. The team has been playing well, but we have not been scoring goals. Tonight (Sunday night) we completely outplayed Sporting in all departments and it was obvious that the guys wanted this victory.

"Our aim remains the same and we are determine to finish the completion in the top three and probably more," he added.

The first half was completely dominated by Georges' rough playmaker Leon Irving, Richardo Watson, the overlapping Jermaine Taylor, Delroy James and Ushane Dobson.

The frequent attacks paid off in the 19th minute when Damian Harwood's shot was handled by a defender inside Sporting 18-yard box and referee Kevin Thomas pointed to the penalty spot.

Powerful shot

Penalty specialist Dwayne Holmes stepped up and fired a powerful right-footed shot to the left of goalkeeper Andre Blake, who was to have an outstanding game.

With the exception of a thunderous 30-yard shot from Romaine Barnes - which brought out the best in goalkeeper Randal Huie diving to his left - Sporting Central Academy looked ordinary.

The second half was basically the same story with Irving, Watson, who had an outstanding game, captain Taylor, Holmes and Dobson propelling Georges.

However, Harwood missed several opportunities or else the scoreline could have been far different. Additionally, Sporting's goalkeeper was outstanding and was the main reason behind Georges' failure to add to the scoring.

Irving and Watson were substituted due to injuries but by then, Georges had already done enough to confuse any though Sporting might have had of a late comeback.

The victory pushed Georges to fourth in the standings, following Boys' Town's 4-1 loss to Tivoli in an earlier game on Sunday.

Losing coach Nigel Stewart said his team failed to settle down in the first half.

"We are now in a rut," said Stewart. "The early goal really set us back and we basically played catch-up throughout the half. We did well in not allowing Georges to improve the scoreline, but we need to be more consistent."

Sunday's matches

Tivoli Gardens vs Village United at Edward Seaga Sports Complex at 5 p.m.

Sporting Central Academy vs Portmore United at Brancourt at 3:30 p.m.

Rivoli United vs Harbour View at Spanish Town Prison Oval at 4 p.m.

Boys' Town vs St Georges at Collie Smith Drive at 3:30 p.m.

Waterhouse vs Humble Lions at Waterhouse Mini Stadium at 6 p.m.

Arnett Gardens vs August Town at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 6 p.m.

Standings

Teams
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
PTS
 

H View
28
17
6
5
36
17
19
57

Tivoli
28
14
12
2
46
19
27
54

W'house
28
12
7
9
30
30
0
43

Georges
28
10
11
7
24
20
4
41

Boys' Twn
28
10
9
9
24
22
2
39

Village
28
7
12
9
22
29
-7
33
H

Lion
28
7
10
11
24
30
-6
31

Aug Twn
28
8
7
13
24
37
-13
31

Rivoli
28
6
12
10
27
31
-4
30

S'ting
28
6
12
10
22
27
-5
30

Arnett
28
7
9
12
25
32
-7
30

P'more
28
6
9
13
16
26
-10
27

Digicel Premier League standings after matches played on Sunday.