Orville Wright
Beaches Ocho Rios defeated Sandals Golf 3-1 in their encounter in the Sandals-sponsored St Ann/St Mary Business House football competition on Sunday, August 31 at Drax Hall sports complex, St Ann.
It was a very intense game of football, with both teams making skillful tackles and accurate passing. Sandals Golf had the greater possession of the ball for the first half, with approximately 60 % ball possession. The team had a lot of chances to score at least four goals in the first half but failed to capitalize on any of these chances. This upset spectators and supporters of Sandals Golf who were also shouting to players to take shots at goal.
The Beaches team was at this point spotting their opponent’s weaknesses and figured how they could easily break through the defensive back four. The first goal came in the 34th minute which was produced by #14 Dane Richards, with a beautiful strike from the 6-yard-box, after the Sandals Golf defence got confused and lost control of the ball. The shot was wonderfully placed in the back of the net.
It was not long after, in the 37th minute when Beaches Ocho Rios scored again. This was after the match referee, Robert Lindsay was on the spot when a bad challenge came in from a Sandals player, a little away from the 18-yard-box. Beaches Ocho Rios was awarded a free kick which they took advantage of,. Leroy Marsh #8 took this kick which flew pass Sandals Golf goal keeper, Patrick Nichols. The Sandals players were at this point feeling drained from their performances and so was their coach, Veron Peterkin.
As game play went on Sandals Golf again had several attempts to their rival’s goal but the ball did not end up in the back of the net.
In the 43rd minute the third goal of the match was produced, again this shot was taken by #14, Dane Richards. It was a low shot which came off the goal post and slipped into the back of Sandals Golf net. This made the match 3-0 at the end of the first half.
When the second half started Coach of Beaches Ocho Rios, Lenox Green was pleased with his team’s performance as they took and created chances. Sandals Golf tried hard to at least pull back one goal and they did in the 74th minute. This goal was scored by #11 Lawrence Cross. He received a lofted ball from his team mate which he easily chipped pass the Beaches goal keeper, Dane Henry.
The 3-1 score line, with more than 15 minutes to go, encouraged Sandals Golf and they tried their best to close the gap with their opponents, but failed to do so. Beaches Ocho Rios was quite comfortable until the match official blew the final whistle, sealing their 3-1 win.
