Barbican claim advantage

Ryon Jones,Gleaner Writer

Barbican clipped Bull Bay 1-0 in their Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Jackie Bell Knockout first-round match yesterday at the Barbican field.

A 53rd-minute header by Troy Clue secured Barbican's advantage going into the return leg on September 16. Scoring the goal was the only moment of efficiency in a match of numerous missed chances.

The away team came close to opening the scoring in the sixth minute when a 20-yard grounder from Shane Neil Lewis saw Barbican's custodian, Donovan Walker, scurrying to push the ball around his right post. Lewis injured himself in the process, resulting in a lengthy delay for him to get treatment.

Barbican's best opportunity of the first half came on the stroke of half-time when the most dangerous-looking player on the park, Haughton Higgins, rounded the keeper. But with the goal at his mercy, Higgins saw his teammate slide before him to put the ball wide.

This was one of 13 misplaced shots by Barbican, while they had two on target. Bull Bay had six shots, with only two of them being on target.

Barbican's coach, Alrick Clarke, was happy for the victory but not totally satisfied.

"The guys put everything into it and we are really happy for the victory," said Clarke, who has coached Norman Manley to the Manning Cup title, and also conditioned Meadhaven at the Premier League level. "We got numerous chances, but it is early days yet. Hopefully, in the return round, we will do much better."

home advantage

Paul Hibbert, coach of Bull Bay, was not perturbed by the loss, as he is confident his team will be able to overcome the deficit at home.

"We lost the game but it wasn't for a lack of effort," said Hibbert, the former Kingston College Manning Cup captain. "The good thing about it is that they have to come to the Bull Pen, so we will see if we can reverse the score there."

In other games yesterday, Cavalier Soccer Club and the University of the West Indies (UWI) recorded first-leg victories.

Cavalier, with goals from Fabian Swaby (27th) and Akeelie Martin (75th), beat New Kingston 2-1. Gerald Hibbert (12th) scored for New Kingston. The UWI, meantime, beat Rockfort 1-0 through a goal from Ajai Aiken (72nd).

In Monday's round of matches, Santos, through a hat-trick from Fabian Nethersole (41st, 72nd and 76th), got by Constant Spring 3-1. Denzil Mitchell (20th) got Spring's consolation, while Duhaney Park and Mountain View played to a one-all draw in their encounter.

Mountain View took the lead in the 38th minute through an own- goal, before Dwayne Allen's 62nd- minute strike gave Duhaney Park a share of the spoils.

The match between Meadforest and Greenwich Town was not played, as Meadforest's field was not prepared. Meadforest were subsequently summoned to a KSAFA Competitions meeting at 7 p.m. yesterday.

The competition continues today with three matches: Brown's Town vs Seaview Gardens at Vauxhall High School; Allman/Woodford vs Police National at Heroes Circle; and Swallowfield United vs Molynes United at Stadium East. All matches are slated to begin at 3 p.m.