Downswell eyes end-of-round final

Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Reno's captain O'Brian Woodbine showed Sporting Central Academy's fans why they nicknamed him 'Beckham', scoring a 19-yard free-kick in the 22nd minute that secured full points in a 1-0 win, in their Digicel Premier League clash at Brancourt on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Harbour View suffered a shock 1-0 loss to St Ann newcomers, Benfica, as their rollercoaster season took another twist at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium.

Former Portmore United striker, Carlington Smith, inflicted the damage with an 86th-minute goal.

Benfica climbed to eighth on 11 points, two adrift of Harbour View, who are tied with Sporting Central, on 13 points.

Reno, who have now moved to 14 points and fifth overall, are still in a position where they can harbour thoughts of squeezing a place against front-running Waterhouse in the first end-of-round final.

Coach Wendel Downswell raised that possibility, but underscored tomorrow's away game against Tivoli Gardens as a potential decider.

"We are thinking about that (end-of-round final), but as you know, there are other factors that will come into play in our next two games," an elated Downswell told The Gleaner.

"But after the loss against Harbour View today, we wanted to get back to a place where we stay in the top four and make a run later," he added.

Sporting continue to be hurt by the absence of head coach Donovan Duckie, who is still suffering the effects of a car accident a fortnight ago. They also missed the inspirational presence of regular captain and chief playmaker, Jevaughn Watson - who is on trial at English Premier League club Birmingham City - as well as stock midfielder, Camal Reid, who missed the match due to an accumulation of cards.

They almost scored in the 14th minute when Levaughn Williams' shot beat goalkeeper Gavin Barrett, but rolled inches from the right upright.

They would pay a heavy price for that miss as Reno's players on the bench and their spectators called it right from early, shouting "Goal!", "Goal!" when minutes later, referee Lewin Purser awarded a free-kick just inches outside the 18-yard box.

Flimsy tackle

Sporting players were still fuming at what they felt was a harsh call on a flimsy tackle that felled Nyron Davis, but were made to pay dearly when they opted to erect a wall protecting the further upright, carelessly leaving a more open angle to Woodbine's natural right-footed kick.

Their players in the wall jumped in vain while goalkeeper Triston Huntley barely moved an inch when Woodbine, standing a mere foot from the ball, sent the ball home with the precision of a laser beam.

Woodbine's beauty was similar to an earlier effort against Village, but the goal was not the only clear chance of the day. However, neither team spared the effort to ensure they got it just right.

Standings

Standings in the Digicel Premier League after Sunday's ninth round of matches

(Tabulate under Teams, P-Play, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Lose, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, Pts-Points)

TeamsPWDLGFGAGDPTSWaterhouse9612146819Tivoli86021331018Boys' Town95221110117Portmore9441105516Reno9423106414Sporting9414117413H View9414129313Benfica9324913-411Arnett9234511-69Humble Lion822436-38Village9135818-106St Georges9117820-124

Tomorrow's matches

Portmore vs Waterhouse

Sporting Central vs Harbour View

St Georges vs Village

Tivoli vs Reno

Benfica vs Boys' Town

Arnett vs Humble Lion

(Home teams named first)