Lion humble ragged Village

Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Humble Lion ran a ragged-looking Village United team to the ground, beating them 3-0 at Effortville Community Centre yesterday, while ensuring the two switched positions in the Digicel Premier League (DPL) bottom tier.

Humble Lion are now on 22 points, one more than Village, who were slumping to their third straight defeat.

It was a continued reversal in form for the home side, who were winning their third game on the trot.

The one point difference means the Clarendon side has limped from the 11th position they have occupied for the past month.

Victories against St Georges, and then away to Benfica, provided the confidence for a three-man attack lead by Denzil Watson, Roberto Fletcher and Omando McLeod.

McLeod, who was having his first start at home since falling out of form last season, was the first to make an impression. It was an ugly one though, being carded in the first minute of play.

However, he quickly got in the referee's good books and happily for his eager home fans, making use of a ball that stayed much too long to be cleared, then hitting home from a melee in the 12th minute.

It was a scrappy affair for the rest of the half as Village looked a far cry from the side that impressed while going toe-to-toe last Sunday with another Clarendon side, Sporting Central Academy, in a game which had produced a 4-3 thriller.

They were probably fatigued from the back-to-back travel to Clarendon in four days, but the home side showed no mercy.

With the platform for a chance to move out of the relegation vice-grip, the home side were fired up on the resumption when Watson, nicknamed "Harry Buller", scored from a fierce 20-yard shot that initially sent goalkeeper Elvis Hart the wrong way.

Young Dever Lawrence, one of several players noticeably promoted from their Under-21 squad, capped off the scoring in the 58th minute, hitting nicely home as Humble Lion rounded off an evening not seen at Effortville in many moons.

Perhaps the lone distraction for Humble Lion was the absence of senior coach Lenworth Hyde Sr on the bench, effectively sidelined for failing to attend a JFF disciplinary committee meeting for actions which led to his eviction at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex two weeks ago.

Humble Lion 3

Omando McLeod 12th, Denzil Watson 48th, Denver Lawrence 58th

Village United 0