The Gleaner-RJR on a roll
Published:Tuesday | May 31, 2016 | 12:00 AMOrville Clarke
The Gleaner-RJR team made it two wins from as many starts in the KSAFA/Western Sports Business House Division one football league on Sunday, with a comprehensive 4-0 thrashing of Peak Bottling in second round action at Winchester Park, St George's College.
The newsmen dictated the run of play in the first half with their youthful strike force comprising Oshane Jenkins, Ryan Miller, Shamar Smith and Mario Benjamin combining well against the promoted 2015 Division Two champions.
They went ahead in the 20th minute when Benjamin pressured defender David Smith, resulting in the latter scoring an own goal. Benjamin came back to extend Gleaner-RJR's lead with a goal in the 42nd minute to lead 2-0 at half-time.
After the interval Peak Bottling looked more positive in their approach, stepping up their game for the first 10 minutes mainly through the efforts of midfielder Leonard Page, but despite this, they were unable to score.
Gleaner-RJR finished off the match with goals from Smith in the 79th minute and the unmarked Ryan Miller inside the 18-yard box in the 87th minute. Winning coach Ian Barnett was elated, noting that despite the absence of ace striker Locksley Smith, who was doing duties elsewhere for Maverley-Hughenden in the Charley's JB Rum Premier League play-offs, the young players, some of whom are quite experienced, really came into their own in this match.
"The defence comprising skipper Bernard Blackwood, Keiron Brock, Al Nesbeth, and Rudolph Speid stood firm and conceded no goals, which, to me, was the most encouraging aspect of the game," he said.
Gleaner-RJR had previously beaten National Water Commission (NWC) 2-1 in their opening match at Great House Boulevard with goals from Locksley Smith (penalty) and Oshane Jenkins. They will seek their third win today in an away game against Jamaica Customs at Barbican.
Meanwhile, home team Carib Cement drew 2-2 with GraceKennedy last Saturday; defending champions Petrojam blanked Sagicor 4-0; and Scotiabank clipped Grace 1-0 in an earlier match, thanks to a Nicholas Scott goal.