Hyde promises better days

Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

New Coach Lenworth Hyde Sr promised better days for Clarendon team Humble Lion, after dreadlocked Denzil Watson scored in the 23rd minute to hand them a 1-0 win over St Ann team Benfica, in their Digicel Premier League match-up at Effortville on Sunday.

The win was Humble Lion's first of the season and crowned Hyde's return to the Premier League, after he was axed at runners-up Tivoli Gardens at the end of last season.

With a previous point from their derby clash with parish mates Sporting Central Academy two weeks ago at the same venue, they are now on four points and off the cellar position on goal difference.

Judging from the responses, Hyde's happiness was seemingly shared by most, and he thanked the players for an encouraging start and to a new set-up, which includes his assistant, Max Straw.

"I am elated because they fought hard and followed instructions, especially in the first half," a beaming Hyde, hugged by specators, told The Gleaner.

"They can play good football and their defence was not bad; it's just the confidence level out there and that's why we were brought here. The midfield will need a bit more tucking-in (work), but we have time and it will get better."

It would have been interesting to gauge the responses had Benfica's Carlington Smith not muffed a second-minute chance, created by a back pass, which horibbly went wrong from a new-look defence.

Watson, who played as part of a new-look three-pronged attack, which also included Kevin Mighty and new captain, Kemar Mills, latched on to a good pass from midfield, rounded two defenders, before beating a diving Leighton Murray in goal with a fierce shot from 12 yards.

Humble Lion were not able to sustain their first-half dominance, as they were pushed on the back foot for long periods in the second half as Benfica, who had lost Garfield Reid to injury in the first half, looked a stronger side with the inclusion of Lacon Brissett and Gergory Tape.

Fight for equaliser

The St Ann side could count their ill-luck, as well as they were probably denied a late penalty call from refereee Dave Peterkin, from a suspected handball.

Humble Lions would mount a clear chance to score again when Jermaine Christian was introduced, but there were hurried clearances and signs of panic in the last five minutes as the St Ann team, which adapted better on the soaked and slippery outfield, went all out to find an equaliser.

For losing coach, Conroy Brown, it was a tale of two halves, one his team got wrong in the first and couldn't capitalise on in the second.

"Very good game despite the loss," he said. "Benfica played well in the second half and had we just done that in the first, the result would have been different."