Hardware goal lifts Boys' Town

Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Schoolboy Jamiel Hardware made the decisive mark on a generally dull game at the Effortville Sports Club, scoring in the 61st minute to give Boys' Town a 1-0 win over Humble Lion yesterday.

Boys' Town, which started the 24th round fixture in third place, two points adrift Tivoli Gardens and Portmore United, moved to 42 points. Humble Lion stayed on 25.

Hardware's role before the goal was far from typical of a man-of-the-match performance, but he succeeded where his more illustrious senior partners on either side had failed - getting the ball in the net.

It seemed the most unlikely of opportunities when defender Omar Parker tried to architect an attack of his own, dribbling from his comfort zone into midfield territory. He lost the ball and immediately forced the foul from which a free kick was given by referee Valdin Legister.

Intelligent decoy

Boys' Town touched the ball twice, before, in a moment of intelligent decoy, it was turned far right where Hardware, captain of Manning Cup finalists Bridgeport High controlled. Before he was covered by Lion's players, who were slow to pick up the plan, Hardware got in the danger area quickly before making a speculative shot.

Goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers made a parried save initially, but Hardware followed up smartly, getting the second crack right and successfully past Shawn Sayers.

It is not unusual for Boys' Town to introduce youngsters at this level, as was the case with Marvin Morgan Jr. of St George's College last season and Technical Director, Andrew Price was keen to sing his praise.

"He is one of us, born and bred here (Boys' Town) coming up through the ranks - Minor League and Under-21 - and we are not afraid to give him an opportunity to show his class," Price told The Gleaner.

With a tough fixture against Tivoli at midweek, it didn't worry Price that Boys' Town's latest win was the second they have had over teams in the bottom three.

"Its all about points and I think we got three bonus ones today," Price said, following his realisation that it was the first Boys' Town had beaten Humble Lion away.

While Price was happy to speak to tthe media, the home side's technical staff beat a hasty exit from the playing area. It was their second straight loss to higher ranked teams.