Reno spank hapless Benfica 4-1

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Former national league champions, Reno, won their first game in the second round of the 2010-11 Digicel Premier League yesterday when they score a big 4-1 win over Benfica in the clash of the promoted teams at Frome Sports Ground in Westmoreland.

In easily their most dominant performance of the season, the Wendell Downswell-conditioned Reno scored through skipper O'brian Woodbine, Davian Thorpe and substitutes Craig Foster and Jahshane Foster. Garfield Reid got Benfica's lone goal, via a superb free kick.

"We have been playing well throughout the season, but we were not getting the goals," said Downswell. "Today, we got the goals in large volumes and we are thankful."

By virtue of their win, the Reno team, which is creeping into mid-table, moved up to 21 points while Benfica, which is being plagued by internal problems, remain handily place three points above Reno on 24.

"We had some problems before the start of the game and as a result some key players were missing from the team," said Benfica's coach, Vanny Clarke. "We just have to find a way to iron out these problems and regroup going foraward."

Taking the lead

After dominating the early action and looking the more cohesive of the teams, Reno took the lead in the 20th minute. Skipper Woodbine pounced on a neat free kick by Thorpe and nodded home with relative ease, making the half-time score 1-0.

In second-half play, Reno continued to call the tune and went further ahead in the 67th minute. Thorpe ran on to a pass from Troy Reid and fired powerfully, a the shot deflected off a defender, making the score 2-0.

73rd-minute lifeline

With Benfica only attacking in spurts, they got a lifeline in the 73rd minute when they won a free kick some 20 yards from goal. The well-taken kick by Reid left goalkeeper Dennis Taylor and his defensive wall mere spectators, as the ball rocketed into the net, making the score 2-1.

With Benfica threatenning to pull level, Reno introduced the Fosters (Craig and Jahshane) into their attack and it quickly paid rich dividends as Reno quickly regained control of the game.

In the 84th minute, Reno made it 3-1 when Woodbine dribbled powerfully towards the goal line on the right side and pulled back a neat cross to Craig Foster). He controlled with his back to goal, turned sweetly and fired past the helpless goalkeeper.

Reno completed their goal feast in the 86th minute when Reid supplied a perfect pass to Jashane Foster and he calmly curled his shot out of the reach of the goalkeeper, making the final score 4-1.

"This is a good confidence-builder for the team going into our next game against Village United," said Downswell. "We just need to keep scoring goals and we should be okay."