Springers surprise Vere to advance in women’s KO
Published:Tuesday | February 21, 2023 | 1:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
In a remarkable turnaround Springers United overturned their 3-1 first-leg defeat to Vere United, with a 5-1 win over their more fancied opponents in the second leg at Wespow Park on Saturday to advance to the second round of the women’s knockout football competition.
A hat trick from Donique Wilson led the way for the Montego Bay-based team, with other strikes coming from Jordan Maxwell and Danika Peterkin.
Springers manager Aisha Wright believes her underdog team will continue to spring surprises in this tournament.
“It was a very proud moment for all of us. They beat us when we went to their home ground so we are quite proud of how we came back and won this game,” Wright said.
The team currently sits fourth of five teams in Zone A of the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) standings and is not one of the favourites for the title but Wright thinks a few more upsets are on the cards.
“We have come a far away. We are the underdogs but we are going to put out our best and I think we are going to keep pulling surprise wins out of our hat,” she said.
She also singled out captain Timeara Edwards, who has been helping with coaching duties in recent weeks.
“Our captain is like the coach in training, and she has been working assiduously to get our form up,” she added
Vere coach Peter Allen said the start of the schoolgirls season decimated his team for the encounter.
“We were short. The school season started the week before and a few more of our players played earlier in the week and were exhausted,” he pointed out.
In the other knockout game, Baptiste Alliance came into the second leg with a 3-0 lead and advanced 4-2 on aggregate despite losing 2-1 to Mile Gully at Brooks Park.
Natasia Malcolm put Mile Gully in front after 40 minutes and Nashalee Powell made it 2-0 in the 63rd.
However, Kerry Ann Sterling’s 85th-minute strike secured Baptiste’s spot in the next round.