By the time the Charlie Smith and Garvey Maceo players took to the field at Sabina Park in the second game of a double-header, the North Stand, which was the only stand open to the general public, was almost full to capacity. The electric atmosphere inside the stadium created by the sounds of the horns and the screams of the fans gave way to an absorbing contest between two good football teams.
Clarendon based Garvey Maceo, started the game well and won consecutive corners just inside 5 minutes of play. The Charlie Smith defense maintained their composure and dealt with the situation easily.
Defender and captain Odane Samuels broke down the right side for Charlie Smith but failed to provide a cross with three teammates waiting inside the box.
Charlie Smith stand out player of the season so far, Bebeto McDonald, got by a couple of players on the right before winning Charlie Smith their first corner with ten minutes played. McDonald took the corner and it was headed over the crossbar Kimani Arbouine.
Charlie Smith was not short of fancy foot work and Chevon Crooks on the left on side skipped past three Garvey defenders before he was brought down. A chance fell to Crooks in the 14th minute but he shot straight at the Garvey Maceo custodian Wallace.
Charlie Smith was controlling the game, breaking up plays in midfield and preventing Garvey Maceo from settling on the ball.
Garvey Maceo tried to build their rhythm and captain and striker Ryan Scott had a shot at goal from 28 yards out. It was hit with power and Leon Taylor had to punch it away to safety.
Midway the half, Scott gave his team the lead when he placed his shot to the right bottom corner of the goal beyond the reach of Taylor.
Charlie smith regrouped and Samuels sent in a teasing cross in the Garvey box but Chevon Crooks failed to make the contact with the ball.
Garvey Maceo’s confidence was lifted by the goal and they began putting passes together but failed to take advantage in the final-third until midfielder Roshane Sharp did some good work on the right then crossed to Scott. He controlled well on his chest before firing low and hard to give Taylor no chance in goal in the 34th minute.
However, Charlie Smith cut the deficit in the 42nd minute when striker Crooks tucked away his second chance after his first was saved by the Garvey Maceo goal keeper.
With their supporters in full voice, Charlie Smith almost found the leveler when Owen Gillare’s long range effort was brilliantly tipped over the cross bar by Wallace in goal. Garvey Maceo went into the half time break with a 2-1 lead.
At the resumption, Charlie Smith looked business like, winning consecutive corners with just 3 minute played in the second half, Garvey managed to negotiate the corners without much fuss. Garvey won a free kick 40 yards from goal and Scott tried for his hat-trick with a powerful shot but goal keeper Taylor denied him by diving to his right to make a brilliant save. Wallace the Garvey custodian then denied Kimani Arbouine with a glorious save to his left.
Scott who netted a brace in the first half, turned provider for Gavin Roberts who saw Taylor in goal advancing and placed it to the left of the keeper, to all but put the game to bed in the 80th minute.
Charlie Smith supporters were leaving the stands by this time knowing that The Clarendon school led by 3-1 with just 10 minutes left to play. Chevon Crooks was presented with a gift at the back post on the goal line and somehow the Charlie Smith striker scooped the ball over the cross bar in the 85th minute to leave the Charlie Smith coach Jerome Waite with his hands on his head.
A Bebeto McDonald free kick hit the cross bar from inside the penalty arc in the 87th minute as Charlie Smith threw everything they had at their opponents. But that was the last chance for Charlie Smith as Garvey Maceo went away 3-1 winners in the end, to advance to the next round of the ISSA/LIME Super Cup.
“We know the way Charlie Smith play, we played them in the pre-season so we knew what to expect. Their game is centred around three players and we were able to nullify their game which is to play down the flanks. Our plan worked perfectly and I am very proud of the players,” said a very happy Alexander Morgan, coach of Garvey Maceo.
An obviously disappointed Jerome Waite said, “Congratulations to the Garvey Maceo team, I think they wanted it more than us today. We created numerous chances where we could have put away this game from the first half and those opportunities came back to haunt us. But give Garvey credit, they have done well.”
The quarter final round will be contested on Saturday October 25th.
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