Rodwood close gap after stopping Wanderers

BY ANDREW HANCEL Observer writer

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

RODWOOD FC closed the gap to two points on leaders Frazsiers Whip FC after an impressive 3-1 away win at Wanderers FC in Round 15 of the LIME/St Catherine FA Major League at the weekend.

DB Basovak moved back to third as they clipped McCooks Pen, 2-1, at Chedwin Park, while Christian Pen stopped Portsmouth, 2-1, in the Portmore derby.

Tru Juice also won on the road to give new coach Milford Thomas his first win after three attempts, blanking Dunebholden, 2-0, while Black Lion and Spanish Town Police FC drew 0-0.

It was a triumphant day for visiting teams as only Black Lion were able to salvage anything from their game as hosts.

At Passagefort, Wanderers, who started the day in third, were expected to get at least a point having lost once at home. And the home side got off to a flying start when Samar Rowe scored in the ninth minute.

But approaching the hour mark Cleveland Hall (26th) equalised before Andrae Austin (44th) fired them into the lead before the break.

Tyrone Roberts tried to get his team back into the contest with a few adjustments on the resumption but watched in anguish from the touchline as his side went further behind when Mark Walters (69th) scored a third for the mid-season champions.

A brace from Andre Simmonds (40th and 60th) helped Basovak overcome a stubborn McCooks Pen at Chedwin Park. Corey Sewell (44th) scored a minute before half-time to even things out, but then the hosts allowed Simmonds time and space on the hour mark to give the visitors the lead again.

The Portmore derby at Portsmouth Primary featured two teams in rich recent form -- both winning their last three games.

After a goalless first 45 minutes, the game came to life when Kevin Patterson (58th) gave the visitors the lead before teammate Carlton Young (78th) made it 2-0 later on.

Machel Ralson (84th) pulled a goal back for Portsmouth, who were losing for the first time since December 14.

Two second-half strikes from Keneel Butler (47th) and Asuane Smith (67th) guided Tru Juice to their first win in two months at the expense of Dunbeholden, who have only garnered two points from their last seven outings and are now in the relegation zone.

Police, who have just three wins from 14 matches, picked up their second point from a possible 24 as they managed to come away with a drawn result at Irish Pen against Black Lions, who are two points above the drop zone.