10-man Humble Lion earn precious point

Humble Lion continued their battle to avoid relegation by bagging a point against fellow strugglers Molynes United, with just 10 men, at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium yesterday.

Ricardo Ramsey gave Humble Lion a second-minute lead, but Peter McGregor cancelled out his effort with a 58th-minute strike.

Humble Lion got off to an excellent start, as just two minutes into the contest Ramsey fired them into a surprise lead. They then had a couple of chances to add to their lead, but squandered the opportunities.

Playing against a strong breeze, Molynes failed to carve out any real opportunities until late in the half when Jason Wright’s shot was deflected over for a corner.

However, after the break, Molynes were a lot more purposeful with the wind at their backs, and Romario McPherson and Jevaughn Brown had good chances, which they both blasted off target, early in the half.

Molynes would get their equaliser after Humble Lion failed to clear, after blocking a series of shots, and the ball eventually fell to McGregor, who hit a low shot past Glenroy Samuels in goal.

Humble Lion had a glorious opportunity to regain the lead shortly after, but Stephen Barnett headed over from three yards after Afiba Chambers put his header back across goal.

Humble Lion had to see out the last 12 minutes with 10 men after Ricardo Campbell was ejected for a second yellow card.

Nevertheless, the Clarendon-based team defended stoutly and Chambers had a glorious chance to steal the points, but he turned a free kick over the bar from three yards.

McGregor also had a great chance to give Molynes all three points deep into stoppage time, but he dragged his shot just wide of the target.

Humble Lion moved to 29 points, the same as Molynes, but stayed out of the relegation zone on goal difference over their opponents.

Alex Thomas, the coach of Humble Lion, said it was his first point on the road since he took over at the end of January, and that it is a positive result in their fight to avoid relegation.

“Certainly, we needed three points. Nevertheless, we got a point on the road for the first time since I’ve been here and that is a plus for us,” he said.

However, he believed they had enough chances to take maximum points.

“We should have put away the game from the first half. But that is the nature of football. We just have to come again and stay positive. We came on the road and drew 1-1 for the first time and that is a positive and a point going forward,” he added.

The Molynes coaching staff declined to comment.

Mount Pleasant drew 0-0 with Tivoli Gardens but remain league leaders with 69 points from 30 games.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Sunday results

Mount Pleasant 0-0 Tivoli

Racing 2-0 Vere Phoenix

Harbour View 1-0 Dunbeholden

Today’s games

5 p.m: Chapelton vs Waterhouse.

7:45 p.m: Arnett vs Cavalier

Both games will be played at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex