Village pip Sporting at Brancourt

BY OSHANE TOBIAS Observer writer

Thursday, February 09, 2012

CLARENDON PARK, Clarendon — Dino Williams' league-leading 10th goal gifted Village United a crucial victory yesterday at Sporting Central Academy as they maintained their survival push in the Red Stripe Premier League.

Former Green Pond High striker Williams raced clear of Sporting's defence in the second minute to angle a low shot past debutant goalkeeper Carlloyd Walters from close range.

Sporting did recover from the slow start to carve out a number of scoring opportunities, but Francois Swaby and Kavin Bascom were denied by the upright.

Village, who lost goalscorer Williams to an early second-half injury, could have won by a wider margin, but were also wasteful in front of goal.

But, truth be told, their main objective on an overcast afternoon at Brancourt in Clarendon Park was to protect the precious lead given to them by Williams early in the game and they did it to perfection.

They packed players behind the ball, while gleefully taking whatever opportunities were available to waste time, even from as early as the 10th-minute mark.

Despite scoring what turned out to be a well-orchestrated away win, Village remain five points adrift of the safe zone in 12th.

Coach Rohan Robinson was, nonetheless, happy for the result, which snapped a five-game winless streak.

"We are at the bottom of the table, but we have a plan to get three consecutive wins by February 19...," Robinson said. "We are on track and I want to say thumbs up to the players; they have done well."

Sporting were never at their best, but still managed to keep their guests on the defensive for long periods and could have gone on to secure at least a point had Swaby not muffed three point-blank chances before half time.

Defeat for the Clarendon side means that they are now 10 games without a win -- their last victory coming on December 4 against Arnett Gardens, who are incidentally their next opponents -- but remained six points clear of the relegation places.

"This does set us back and we are very concerned," coach Vassell Reynolds said. "Two games (in the third round) and we are without a point... but we still harbour thoughts of gaining momentum pretty soon."

TEAMS: Sporting -- Carlloyd Walters, Dale Watson, Kevon Reid, Christopher Banner, Owen Gordon (Dwayne Brown 54th), Camaal Reid, Gregory Lewis, Dwight Dunk (Dwayne Campbell 54th), Jamoly Powell, Keith Kelly (Kavin Bascom 73rd), Francois Swaby.

Subs not used: Michael Plummer, Renoir Elliot, Kadian Wynter, Andre Allen.

Booked: Kelly (68th)

Village - Keith Hamilton, Cordell Simpson, Ladale Richie, Jeff Pearce, Ian McAnuff (Nichalos Falconer 85th), Orlando McBayne, Andreas Nickles, Ronaldo Rodney, Shavar Campbell, Dino Williams (Aldaine Grant 57th), Andre Williams (Shaunavon McKenzie 46th).

Subs not used: Roy Forbes, Deaundre Alveranga, Valbert Campbell, Ronald Francis.

Booked: McAnuff (42nd), Nickles (48th), Falconer (85th)

Referee: Cardella Samuels

Assistant Referees: Stacy-Ann Greyson, Steven Brown

Fourth Official: Doyen Tummings

Match Commissary: Ainsley Sharpe