Benfica looking to rebuild

Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

BUFF BAY, Portland:

A goal on the stroke of half-time enabled Benfica to salvage a point in their bottom-of-the-table clash against St Georges Sports Club at Lynch Park in the Digicel Premier League on Sunday night.

"It was a good draw," commented Benfica's coach, Orlando Clarke. "After a series of losses, we welcome this hard-fought point. We are trying to rebuild and this game ... and it gives me an opportunity to have a first-hand look at the players and to view their skills. We are hoping to get back to winning ways shortly."

It was a game completely dominated by Georges, who scored to claim a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute when Horace James slotted home from close range after receiving a pass from Bobby-joe Huie.

Georges continued to dominate the first half, but squandered numerous scoring opportunities.

The missed opportunities came back to haunt them, as on the stroke of half-time, Devon Moncrieffe found himself near his opponents' six-yard box after receiving a pass from Craig Gordon. Moncrieffe calmly tapped in from close range to pull his team level.

The second half was similar, as St Georges again went in search of the lead, but poor finishing robbed them of what should have been an easy victory.

When coach Geoffrey Maxwell brought on Daniel Shaw, Omar Brissett and Kenief Lee, replacing Delroy James, Oniel Brown and Horace James, in the spate of four minutes, the attacks increased, but the scoreline remained unchanged.

Brissett picked out Lee near the edge of the 18-yard box, but with only the advancing goalkeeper to beat, he failed to get off a shot. Less than a minute later, Shaw curled in a ball from the left flank, which found Lee unmarked near the six-yard box, but the striker headed wide.

"These kind of games continue to haunt us," said Maxwell. "We create the chances, but we are just not scoring them. It is a terrible result for us, as this is one of the games which we had targeted to secure full points."