BOYS’ Town defeated 10-man Sporting Central Academy 3-1 at Collie Smith Drive yesterday to plunge the Clarendon-based team into a position of uncertainty for next season’s Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL).

A goal in each half from top striker Raffiek Thomas, and another from Kevin Garnett carried Boys’ Town to 40 points and safety. Otis Friend replied for Sporting Central just after the hour mark.

Even with two games to go and a two-point lead on Reno, who defeated Waterhouse at home, the defeat for Sporting Central put the number 10 spot in the RSPL standings up for grabs.

But Sporting’s coach Nigel Stewart is still hopeful of remaining in the RSPL for next season. “Our defeat and Reno’s victory put a little more pressure on us, but we know what we have to do and that is keep on playing.”

Although safe from relegation prior to the game, coach Omar Edwards was very pleased with the result. “Whenever we play at home we always play for maximum points. The teams that are behind us we expect to keep them behind us for the remainder of the season. We introduced some youngsters that we are blooding for next season and they have shown the promise that we are expecting from them. One of these players is Kimmarly Fray, son of jockey Lanscott Fray, who now plies his trade in Canada.

With points at a premium for both teams the game started at a brisk pace with neither giving the other any quarters. However, in the 15th minute Sporting Central were reduced to 10 after Ricardo Martin was sent off for a foul on Garfield Gillespie, who himself was shown the yellow card.

This opened the way for Boys’ Town to take the lead four minutes later through Thomas. Sporting Central seemed to find a new gear and netted the equaliser 13 minutes later. After this, though, their challenge fell away and Kevin Garnett put Boys’ Town ahead with four minutes remaining in the half.

Thomas then sealed the issue from the spot in time added.

Teams: BOYS’ TOWN – Leon Goff, Victor Thompson, Asrick Samuels, Kimmarly Fray (Michael Campbell 76th), Xavian Virgo, Garfield Gillespie, Mitchily Waugh (Daniel Coke 88th), Kevin Garnett (Kevon Wilson 90th+2), Peter Keyes, Raffiek Thomas, Hugh Evans

Subs not used: Jon Beckford, Akeem Bradford, Chavany Willis

Booked: Gillespie (15th)

SPORTING CENTRAL — Allien Whittaker, Kadian Wynter (Kevaughn Atkinson 77th), Dale Watson, Rupert Murray, Ricardo Martin, Rodney Witter, Michael Moreland (Raylon Paisley 46th) Otis Friend, Mikhail Howell (Kemar Reid 77th), Cory Hylton, Kemar Drake

Subs not used: Oneil Lacey, Romoy Parkins, Kevar Stewart, Joe Cedron Diaz

Booked: Martin (15th ejected)

Referee: Jermaine Douglas

Assistant Referees: Lloyd Edwards, Oyinco McTaggart

Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton

Match Commissioner: Anthony Cooke