Sporting nets victory with brilliant first-half display

Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Sporting Central Academy earned bragging rights and three important points after outgunning fellow Clarendon team Humble Lion, for a 2-1 win in their National Premier League football contest yesterday.

The parish derby produced the biggest crowd at the Effortville Community Centre, but it was the visitors who stole the attention, gaining two goals by the half-time interval in a magnificent performance that represented the triumph of style over brute force.

The two goals were coats of class, woven from their trademark fluency of passing and transition into attack. The first goal, coming in the 31st minute, saw the Bahamian recruit Lesly St Fleur starting a play in midfield and then becoming the recipient of the final pass, for which he would outrun the defenders and slide it past the near post of Philmore Crumbie in goal.

Second goal

The second goal, which came five minutes later, was even more embarrassing for the Humble Lion defenders as from a similar play, this time on the left side, Hughan Grey produced a similar run as St Fleur, and it ended with the striker leaving Crumbie on the ground, before slotting into goal from two yards.

Losing coach Lenworth Hyde Sr. reckoned the first half made the difference in the game.

"We totally slept in the first half and paid the price," an angry Hyde told The Gleaner.

Not even the fact that his son scored his team's only goal was any kind of consolation.

"We have been starting slow and when we dig in it's sometimes too hard to come back," he said, of his team's style since the start of the season.

At 2-0 at the interval, the game appeared over for the home fans. However a heckled Hyde went for broke and introduced three changes in the 52nd minute. The move seemed an instant tonic, shifting the attacking momentum to the home side. Sadly for him, he would have to wait until the 89th minute to gain some success, as Kevin Lamey won a penalty after goal keeper Sanchez Lloyd put in a two-footed tackle to stop him inches from the six-yard box. He was too injured to even be considered for the kick.

Wolry Wolfe's spot kick was initially blocked by Sanchez in goal, but an onrushing Lenworth Hyde Jr. sent it home.