Swaby hat-trick sinks Village

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Striker François Swaby turned in a heroic performance for Sporting Central Academy on Sunday afternoon, as he scored all three second-half goals in the Clarendon team's emphatic 3-0 blanking of Village United, at the Elliston Wakeland Youth Centre in Falmouth.

"He (Swaby) is the most hated man on the training ground because he does not always get it right," said Donovan Duckie, coach of the Sporting Central team. "Today he got it right, so he deserves a lot of credit."

The Sporting Central team, who were recording their third win of the season, has now moved into double figures on 10 points, moving into the comfort ofmid-table.

Taste of defeat

Village United, who were tasting defeat for the fourth time, remain somewhat off the pace on seven points.

In the first half, both teams seemed somewhat lackadaisical, building well in midfield but lacking penetration in attack. In the 10th minute, Swaby broke free before the goal, but lifted his shot over the crossbar with the goalkeeper at his mercy.

Towards the end of the half, Village United got back-to-back chances in the 32nd and 39th minutes, respectively. First, Troy Smith's free kick sailed inches wide of the goal and secondly, Andre Williams broke free before the goal, but pulled out under pressure from two defenders.

On the stroke of half-time, Williams went high for a lofted cross, but directed his glancing header over the crossbar.

All-out attack

Sporting Central started the second half in all-out attack, but the Village United defence stood tall under the pressure. In turn, they too launched a few spirited attacks, but to no avail.

With Sporting Central looking increasingly ominous with each attack, they took the lead in the 69th minute. On a break down the middle, Renoir Elliott swung a perfect cross to Swaby, and his header gave the goalkeeper no chance, making the score 1-0.

Having taken the lead, Sporting Central went into overdrive and doubled their tally when Swaby won possession and despite being surrounded by several Village United defenders, he somehow managed to get off an accurate shot that scored.

After soaking up some pressure from Village United in the dying moments, Sporting Central struck a third goal in stoppage time. Swaby found himself unmarked before the goal, but after initially fumbling, he stroked the ball into the goal, making the final score 3-0.