Butler sent off in Mona’s victory, KC beat STGC again

CRAIG BUTLER, head coach of the high-flying and undefeated Mona team, is questioning how well the referee team in charge of his ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup quarterfinal game against Charlie Smith at the Stadium East field slept last night.

Butler was dismissed from the touchline on the stroke of half-time following a physical clash with the fourth official even as his team completed a dominant 4-0 win.

“I think it was very unfair. The fourth official had his hands all over me, I have it on tape, and I was begging him not to touch me. It’s just a ploy to keep us (Mona) down but what it did was to affect the boys in a positive way because they went out there and fought for me,” said Butler.

In an affair that had Mona’s name written all over it, The Mona unit opened their account in the 35th minute thanks to a rocket of a shot from the right boot of Romarion Thomas. Nine minutes later, the crafty Sean Leighton’s neat finish put Mona two up.

Second-half strikes by Kshaine Gordon (58th minute) and Zhaine Pinnock (68th) ensured Mona’s undefeated streak would continue. Butler believes the team played “good football” throughout the evening’s encounter.

“We kept the ball, played good football and won the game. I didn’t think we got many calls today and it was unfair. For the referees, I don’t even know what to say, I hope they sleep well at night and I hope that God will touch their hearts,” Butler added.

NORTH STREET BATTLE

In the day’s opening fixture at the Stadium East field, Kingston College (KC) got the better of their North Street neighbours, St George’s College, 4-1.

The defending champions were led by the attacking duo of Nashardo Gibbs and Dejuan Richards, who were both on the scoresheet for head coach Raymond Watson.

Gibbs had a brace, scoring in 14th and 19th minutes, while Teyshawn Matthis added another in 47th before Richards completed the rout in the 54th.

“Today, St George’s never gave up, honestly. Even though we scored the goals and probably should have scored more and the scoreline showed dominance, based on the actual possession stats, it wouldn’t show that.”

KC, after losing the first matchup between the teams, have rebounded to defeat St George’s twice, which Watson says is all down to “homework”.

“We watch over the first game where we lost and we identified some things and it paid dividends today,” said Watson.

Neville Bell, St George’s coach, was more philosophical.

“They were tougher than us today. They got to the balls quicker, they won the 50-50s. I’m disappointed in the fact that we gave up easy goals, but congrats to Kingston College and they were clearly the better team today,” said Bell.

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Results

Kingston College 4 -1 St George’s College

Mona 4 - 0 Charlie Smith

Jamaica College 4 -1 Wolmer’s Boys

STATHS 3 - 2 Haile Selassie