Highgate edge Montego Bay 2-1
DRAX HALL, St Ann — Highgate United came from behind to edge Montego Bay United 2-1 in their Red Stripe Premier League game at Drax Hall on Wednesday.
Graeme Green put the visitors ahead after 18 minutes, but Carlos Barrett hit a brace in the 26th and 30th minutes to take the game away from the St James-based club.
Montego Bay took the lead from a build-up, which included Leon Irving, Lesly St Fleur, Allan Ottey and Green, who fired past Romaine Hamilton in goal.
Highgate got back in the game when Montego Bay’s captain Fabian McCarthy handled the ball inside his penalty area leaving referee Kevin Morrison with no option but to point to the penalty spot.
Barrett calmly slotted home from the spot to level the score. Then four minutes later Barrett sent his team ahead when he picked up a pass from substitute Omerio Yorke, beat the defender, then picked his spot before firing home.
Both teams launched a number of attacks in the second half, but none could convert any of those chances.
Winning coach Michael Smith was happy, but recognised that his charges are still battling to avoid relegation. “I think the team knows what is at stake, we played a beautiful game against Humble Lion, but lost. They played a very disciplined game in midfield. We talked a lot of things and the team played a very disciplined game in midfield and defence. We got a few chances and put away two goals. We have three games left and we have to come out and get those 12 points.”
Norman Foster, Montego Bay’s assistant coach, was not pleased with the loss. “We took the lead and the boys got lackadaisical and relaxed. Highgate came back and had a hard fight against us; won the game; good game to Highgate and this is a very unpleasant loss for me.”
He pointed out that his team has qualified and they will be using the younger players for the rest of the season.