Education ministry working to cut costs - Thwaites 3:57 PM
One dead in St Catherine car crash 3:05 PM
Police list ‘Mansaw’ and ‘Buck Major’ as 'persons-of-interest' 2:20 PM
Ananda Alert: 15-y-o Danieke Williamson of Kingston 19 missing 11:24 AM
Met Service fully prepared for 2013 Hurricane season 10:33 AM
US warns nationals about Bahamas crime situation 10:11 AM
Sport
SCA stay grounded despite fine run
... Coach says Kelly still one of Ja’s best
BY OSHANE TOBAS Observer staff reporter
Sunday, September 16, 2012
TOLL GATE, Clarendon — Coach Nigel Stewart has urged his Sporting Central Academy (SAC) players not to get carried away with their impressive start to the Red Stripe Premier League season.
Sporting are one of three teams, the others being Arnett Gardens and promoted Savannah FC, with a 100 per cent record after two games, having recorded victories over Humble Lion and Highgate United.
Last season, the Clarendon side had a similar start but eventually missed out on a place in the End-of-Round Final after losing three points in the boardroom. This time, Stewart wants to avoid any unnecessary mistakes.
"It's very important for us to stay focused because our plan is to go to the End-of-Round Final, so we have to keep our feet on the ground and continue playing good football," Stewart told the Jamaica Observer.
Sporting have so far averaged two goals per game, while conceding once, to join Arnett atop the goalscoring chart, and Stewart hopes to at least maintain that form when they take on Boys' Town today at Collie Smith Drive.
"As a coach, you have to feel good whenever your team is not only winning, but also scoring more than one goal. But there are some things that I'm not pleased," he said.
"I would see them keeping the ball more, make less unforced errors and play the Sporting Central type of football. (Against Highgate) I think we were overconfident at the back, and as defenders you can't be too relaxed," he said.
Sporting's early-season form also represents a personal milestone for Stewart, who was recently promoted from the Under-21 set-up to assume first-team duties.
"I'm working with a talented group of guys, which makes my job easier, so it's a real pleasure," he said.
Stewart also had lots of praises for midfielder Keith Kelly, who has been the club's best player so far.
The former Paris Saint-Germain prodigy who has struggled with injuries and weight problems over the years is yet to complete a full 90 minutes but has turned in a series of eye-catching performances -- capped by the fastest goal of the season in a 2-1 win over Humble Lion
at Effortville.
"He's not 100 per cent fit," Stewart revealed, "so we are taking our time because the season is very long and we want him with us for a very long time.
"I still believe he's one of the best midfielders in Jamaica in terms of vision and passing... it's just to get him back to peak condition. The first game he played 63 minutes and the second he played 75, so he's getting there."
Other Stories
Top Jamaica high schools for adidas Grand Prix
St Andrew reign - Portland unseated as school parish champs
'Tuffy' tops 'em all - Flambouyant striker, H'View steal awards spotlight
'Sub Zero' pummels 'Bus Boy' for easy win
VCB leads J'cans to NY Adidas Grand Prix
Prep school development meet on today
Tru-Juice calls Jamaicans to run for a cause
Rio Cobre to flow in Gerry Skelton
Two Jamaican teams for CACBF Championships
Catherine's Peak, Western Sports to sponsor One-Day Challenge
Orb favoured to take Preakness, set up Triple try
SVL Major, Minor League Netball finals on today
CC perfect in preliminary round basketball
Another cricketer suspended in spot-fixing case
USADA chief says UCI let clean athletes down
Top golfers named for National Trials
AP Source: CK Wu tells Rogge he'll seek presidency
Brazil to deliver last stadium ahead of Confed Cup
Atletico clip Real for Copa del Rey


