Sporting triumph in seven-goal thriller

Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Sporting Central and Village United treated Brancourt fans to a seven-goal thriller, with the home side just digging deeper in Santa's bag to find one goal better in a pulsating final five minutes, to win 4-3.

Village's small band of supporters and their Brazilian coach, Neider dos Santos, must have felt they had the game sewn up after taking a 2-0 lead after 49 minutes.

But Sporting crafted their way back to score three goals in 20 minutes for an unbelievable 3-2 lead.

And, with the pendulum swinging and the home spectators counting three points after an amazing comeback, Village forced another twist to even things up with five minutes remaining.

Both sides refused to retire attacks in an anxious period for both groups of fans, punctuated by animated discussions as to the tactical dilemma for both coaching staffs, whether to settle for a draw or to go for a dramatic win.

Controversial substitute

In the end, Chris Dawes won that battle as his seemingly controversial choice as substitute, Damarly Samuels, scored within three minutes of coming on to seal the clincher.

At that stage, Sporting led 3-2, but lost defender Gregory Lewis for a needless tackle around the half line mark. Instead of a defensive replacement, Dawes went for Samuels.

Village quickly spotted the breach and an immediate attack brought a penalty call on Laing, for the second time in the game.

Sporting began the game with intentions of securing three points, which would have maintained their slim hopes of reaching a first end-of-round final.

Lame ducks

Village would not be lame ducks, surprising the home side with the early goal raids. They were quickly rewarded when Laing was fouled in the danger area. Shavar Campbell was clinical from the penalty spot and showed again his spot kicking was no fluke, easily converting another when Laing was again fouled in the penalty area with five minutes remaining.

Despite conceding so many goals, both goalkeepers, Elvis Hart for Village and Andre Blake for Sporting, made a number of crucial saves. They were lucky too as Village's Dino Williams' overhead kick crashed on to the upright, while Williams was denied a hat-trick by the crossbar.

Blake, however, provided the most crucial stop, leaping in the air at full stretch to deny Laing in what was the final shot of the match.

The win kept Sporting Central fifth in the overall standings on 30 points; and joint second in the second round table on 17 points. Village remained third from bottom overall on 21, and fourth from bottom in round two with nine.

Yesterday's results

St Georges Sports Club 2 Reno 0

Arnett Gardens 2 Portmore United 1

Waterhouse 0 Boys' Town 1

Harbour View 3 Tivoli Gardens 2

Benfica 0 Humble Lion 1

Sporting Central 4

Gregory Lewis 53rd minute

Levaughn Williams 62nd, 74th

Damarley Samuels 88th

Village United

Shavar Campbell 12th, 85th

Lance Laing 49th