…another Elite double-header on today

By Ras Wadada
BUXTON United, aided by poor goalkeeping, carved out a 3-2 win over Monedderlust FC, while a resilient Victoria Kings held Fruta Conquerors to the first score-less tie of season two when Game Day two was played at the Tucville ground last Friday.
After over an hour delay the first encounter was played before several dozen spectators who did not have to wait long to see the first goal of the ‘eastern derby’. Speedy left midfielder Teron McDonald broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when he fired a powerful right-booter from inside the area that rocked the net at the far post to give the number five village side the early initiative.

The celebrations had barely ended when the Buxtonians equalized after the first of three costly errors by the Monedderlust’s goalkeeper, Elvis Rutherford. His failed grasp from in the box was quickly pounced on by Dillon Wright who scored in an open goal after stealing the rebound.
Inspired by the equalizer and led by a dominant Captain Devor Dennis in the midfield,the Buxtonians took the lead in the 32nd minute when Wright, in what appeared to be an attempted cross, scored again.

His instep left booter, after eluding his marker, from close to the left corner pole sailed over the head of Rutherford at the near post and into the ‘V’ of the far post much to the disbelief of the custodian. Wright should have made it a treble ten minutes later but his effort, from close up, on an unguarded goal went wide of the upright.
Kenston Lindley then gleefully accepted a loose ball in the area after a poor clearance by the Buxton’s defense to level the score in the first of three minutes of time added on for the first segment.
The Herbert McPherson-coached side continued to dominate the proceedings after the interval as Monedderlust’s coach, Floyd Cadogan made substitutions in an effort to regain the lead, but it was Buxton, who always looked in control that took the lead.

The 45-metres direct free-kick by Captain Dennis, in the 65th minute, somehow grazed through the hands of Rutherford much to the surprise of all since it came straight to him and inches above his height. If the first or second goal did not take the fight and spirit from the Monedderlust team, the third one certainly did as it turned out to be the winner and no points from the opening game for the Berbicians.
Both sides will be in action again today when competition switches to Camp Ayangana where there will be another double-header. In the opening game set for 16:00hrs, Top XX oppose Monederlust and in the feature game to follow, the Army tackle Buxton United.
Meanwhile,the nigh cap for last Friday produced the first score-less stalemate and Red Card of season two when a very determined effort by Victoria Kings dashed all hopes Fruta Conquerors had of securing three more maximum points.

The Kings looked a different unit with the League’s oldest player at 42, Winston Pompey in the line-up and in control of the midfield. The game which was fiercely contested produced very little creativity in the final third at both ends of the pitch.
The youthful home side did make inroads down the flanks but more than often their crosses were well cut out by stalwart defending in the middle by former national player Sherlock Dowden in tandem with Shawn Samuels.
After the break the game continued in the same physical vein causing referee Sherwin Johnson to caution 16 year-old Raushan Ritch the left back for Conquerors in the 56th minute for a rough tackle on the 40year-old Aubrey Gibson. Conquerors were denied the lead by a headed clearance off the line by Dowden with the goalkeeper out of position in the 72nd minute and three minutes later they were reduced to ten.

Ritch who was having a solid game received his second Yellow Card in the 75th minute and with it came the first expulsion from a game in the new season. Although they looked tired towards the end the Sampson Gilbert-coached side withstood all the Kings had to offer and in the end the points were shared.
It was a solid rebound for the Kings who were dubbed 7-1 in their first game by the GDF while Conquerors will be disappointed at dropping their first two points after a comfortable 3-0 opening win against Top XX.