Slick Treasure Beach surprise Reno

Western Bureau:

St Elizabeth outfit Treasure Beach started their campaign in the 2023 Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Tier II Football Competition in fine style on Saturday, spanking three-time national champions Reno 2-1 on their home turf, the Llandilo Sports Complex, in Westmoreland.

In a game, which was quite physical for the most part, the Omar ‘Rambo’ Wedderburn-coached Treasure Beach scored through skipper Kadeen Stone and Ramario Smith (penalty). The Audley ‘Tom Tom’ Thomas-conditioned Reno got their goal from Zidane Whyte.

“We are satisfied because this is the first game, and we came out and got all three points. It was not a perfect start in terms of performance but a perfect start in terms of points,” said a victorious coach Wedderburn. “This is good motivation going forward, and we are very proud of what the boys did today.”

Within three minutes of the start, Treasure Beach should have taken the lead when Ronaldo Simms dispossessed a defender at the edge of the penalty area, but with a clear shot on goal, he hesitated, and his subsequent shot was blocked by the defender, who recovered quickly. Three minutes later, Reno got a similar opportunity when Maliki Reid found himself with the goalkeeper at his mercy, but he, too, hesitated and was robbed of the ball.

After a protracted period without much to write about, Treasure Beach took the lead in the 32nd minute. They won a freekick on the right side close to Reno’s penalty area. The ball was played in the path of Stone, who slotted neatly out of the reach of goalkeeper Omario Hendricks, making the score 1-0.

Within three minutes of Treasure Beach’s goal, Reno struck back courtesy of a terrible goalkeeping blunder. Mowey Morgan, the Treasure Beach goalkeeper, reacted late to a lofted cross before his goal and completely missed the ball, which fell at the feet of Whyte, who gleefully slotted home, making the score 1-1.

With time running out in the half, Treasure Beach scored what turned out to be the winning goal. A Reno defender was caught fumbling with the ball before the goal and in the process, fouled skipper Stone, causing the referee to award a penalty. Smith made no mistake from the spot.

“It was not the result we wanted, but I am confident that we will get better as the competition progresses,” said Reno’s coach Thomas. “We just need to put this game behind us and focus on what is ahead of us.”