Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer
Village United's Fabian Dawkins prepares to take the ball on his chest ahead of Boys' Town's Xavian Virgo, in the National Premier League at Collie Smith Drive, yesterday. Boys' Town won the game 3-0. - Ian Allen
SPORTING CENTRAL of Clarendon yesterday edged fellow promoted team, St Georges of Portland, on head-to-head meetings, after grabbing a last minute 2-2 draw against Seba United at Brancourt.
With Sporting trailing 2-1, Gregory Lewis netted in the 90th minute to move the Clarendonians to 39 points joining St Georges and Village, who were beaten by Tivoli and Boys' Town, respectively, in away games.
The Clarendonians grabbed sixth spot by virtue of beating St Georges twice in three meetings this season, the clincher being a 1-0 victory at Lynch Park in the third round.
St Georges briefly recovered from a 25th minute own-goal through a 26th minute equaliser, before going down 3-1 to Tivoli Gardens in a loss which cost them sixth place and a chance to play among the elites of the Premier League.
Own-goal
St Georges, who started the day sixth, leading Village on goals scored, fell behind in the 25th minute off an own-goal, a header turned past goalkeeper Ralston Robinson by wing-back Keion Clunis.
With news that Village were being clobbered 3-0 by Boys' Town at Collie Smith Drive, St Georges' chances of hanging on to sixth place were still alive after Tivoli extended their lead through Dwight Heron and Sheldon Palmer in the 70th and 90th minutes.
However, with Seba leading 2-1 at Brancourt, Lewis came up trumps for Sporting Central, who will now play the fourth round alongside leaders Portmore United, Tivoli Gardens, Boys' Town, Harbour View and Waterhouse.
Coach Donovan Duckie said the longer Premier League season took a toll on his side, which is used to the shorter Super League.
"For about 26 games, I believe we were consistent but that would've exceeded a Super League season and it took a toll on the guys," he said.
"We lacked the depth to play the number of games so far, 33, and that was a big factor," he added.
St Georges (39) will play the fourth round, five games, alongside Village (39), Seba (38), Arnett Gardens (35), August Town (34) and Reno 33, to avoid relegation.
Meanwhile, Tivoli's coach, Desmond Francis, whose team is still five points adrift leaders Portmore, said the race is far from over.
Never give up
"We'll never give up hope," he said. "My team plays better with the top sides and we still have much to offer. We can still win this league," he added.
Meanwhile, leaders Portmore continued on their merry ways atop the standings, blanking Reno 2-0 at St Elizabeth Technical High. Adrian Reid and Mario Swaby netted in the 47th and 80th minutes to keep Portmore five points clear of Tivoli with five games left in the league.
In other games, Waterhouse gave up a 38th minute lead at home as Jonathan Williams' goal was cancelled by substitute Nicholas Smith in the 86th minute.
At the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex, Arnett Gardens moved from last place to 10th after Horace Sharpe's 17th minute penalty edged Harbour View 1-0.
STANDINGS
Teams Pld W D L GF GA GD PTS
Portmore 33 18 10 5 47 21 26 64
Tivoli 33 18 5 10 42 34 8 59
Boys' Town 33 12 14 7 29 25 4 50
Harbour View 33 11 14 8 39 32 7 47
Waterhouse 33 10 15 8 36 35 1 45
Sporting Central 33 9 12 12 36 44 -8 39
St Georges 33 10 9 14 37 38 -1 39
Village United 33 9 12 12 32 34 -2 39
Seba United 33 9 11 13 39 44 -5 38
Arnett Gardens 33 6 17 10 30 32 -2 35
August Town 33 8 10 15 33 48 -15 34
Reno FC 33 6 15 12 35 48 -13 33
Results
Arnett Gardens 1 (Horace Sharpe - 17th min penalty)-Harbour View 0
Reno 0-Portmore 2 (Adrian Reid - 47th, Mario Swaby - 80th)
Sporting Central 2 (Ian Palmer - 43rd, Gregory Lewis 90th)-Seba 2 (Kemar James - 58th, Kemar Mills - 63rd)
Waterhouse 1 (Jonathan Williams - 38th)-August Town 1 (Nicholas Smith - 86th)
Boys' Town 3 (George Vernal - 19th, George Vernal - 66th, Garfield Gillespie - 88th)-Village 0
Tivoli Gardens 3 (Keion Clunis - 25th own-goal, Dwight Heron - 70th, Sheldon Palmer 90th)-St Georges 1 (Denroy Dennis - 26th)
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