Maxwell unfazed by Humble Lion’s winless run
MAY PEN, Clarendon — Despite slipping two points behind leaders Montego Bay United, following Monday night’s 1-1 draw in the Clarendon derby, coach Geoffrey Maxwell has said he’s not too concerned about Humble Lion’s three-game winless streak.
In fact, Maxwell appeared to be gracious for the point against parish rivals Sporting Central Academy after coming from behind at Effortville.
“As far as I am concerned, I thought it was a poor game,” said Maxwell in his post-game interview. “In the second-half we played much better, but in the first-half we were a bit too cautious, sitting back and allowing them to play.”
“Overall,” he added, “a draw is a very lucky point for us tonight. Although we seemed to have dominated more in front of goal we just weren’t getting into the box to create the chances.”
Humble Lion, hosting a Premier League fixture under lights for the first time, fell behind in minute 37 when Francois Swaby ghosted past his markers to head in Cory Hylton’s cross-field pass ahead of the onrushing goalie Damion Crooks.
However, it took them just four minutes into the second half to restore parity when the Sporting goalkeeper, Sanchez Lloyd, spilled Wolry Wolfe’s free kick for Mark Miller to convert.
The result means the central Clarendon side, winless since their 2-1 victory over Boys’ Town in October, inched to 14 points but could drop to third should Cavalier beat Harbour View at Stadium East next Wednesday.
Maxwell said: “We have 14 points and MoBay have 16 so there’s not much room for concern right now.”
But as usual, following “a poor performance”, the veteran coach has promised to reshuffle his starting line-up for Sunday’s visit to Harbour View — naming Wolfe, his captain, goalscorer Miller and right-back Romaine Barnes as possible casualties.
“I’m not afraid to call names like other coaches who are total cowards. When you win you want praise so when you lose you should also take responsibility,” said Maxwell.
For Sporting, a point wasn’t what they desired but Linval ‘Pala’ Wilson, in charge of the team in the interim following Merron Gordon’s resignation, is hoping they can build on this battling performance.
While they remain delicately placed above the relegation zone, and could even slip should Portmore United beat Rivoli in next Wednesday’s St Catherine derby, the stalemate did halt their two-game losing skid.
“It was a hard-fought game,” Wilson said. “The guys stood up and fought. With a little more luck we could have pulled off a win. Nevertheless, we have to start from somewhere. We were sliding but with a few changes in the starting line-up we were able to get a point on the road.”
Regarding his role at the south-west Clarendon club in light of Gordon’s resignation, Wilson said: “I’m definitely one of the candidates (for the job) but that’s for the executive to decide. If they want to appoint me as the head coach I would be proud.”
He also noted that Gordon remains “a good friend Sporting”.
“He’s the person who brought me to Sporting and I have a lot of regard for him. But people come and people go. It’s not the end of the road. We still talk and I know whenever I call up on him he will be there for me,” said Wilson.