The University of the West Indies (UWI) FC defeated 10-man Maverley/Hughenden 1-0 at the Constant Spring playingfield on Sunday to hold firmly on to third place in the Red Stripe Premier League standing with 38 points.

Ramoun Reid took advantage of an early defensive slip-up from hosts Maverley/Hughenden to put UWI ahead in the 21st minute from close range.

The hard-fought and narrow victory provided UWI with three valuable points to move within one point of second place, while Maverley/Hughenden were left stymied in eighth position on 20 points.

The first half of play was quite normal and the ball control looked impossible on a parched and uneven playing surface. However, when Maverley intensified play in the second half to get on terms with their opponents, things got heated.

This resulted in the expulsion of Andrew Peddlar with seven minutes of play remaining. Referee Kevin Morrison had earlier made several attempts to get between players on both sides in an attempt to prevent the situation from mushrooming into a scuffle.

Morrison was again called into action and quickly stepped between Robert Williams of Maverley/Hughenden and the UWI skipper Rochane Smith before issuing warning cards to both players in minute 65.

Order was restored but the players from both sides were resolute in their play — one to get on even terms, the other to protect their advantage.

With a man short, Maverley seemed to redouble their efforts and looked dangerous, but UWI held firm for the win.

Andrew Peart, assistant coach of UWI, though happy with the three points, noted that “It was not a beautiful game.”

Anthony Patrick of Maverley was left disappointed.

“I am very disappointed how we played today (Sunday). In the first half we never made good use of our chances and way down in the second half we had more possession of the ball but failed to take advantage of this by rushing the play. But it is work in progress to get the team streamlined,” Patrick told the Jamaica Observer.

Teams:

Maverley/Hughenden FC — Damian Campbell, Andre White, Robert Williams, Andrew Peddlar, Ricardo Thomas (Raymond Williamson 35th), Denardo Thomas, Phillip Peddie (Wayne Williams 65th), Rodico Wellington (Narado Brown 59th), Nicholas Scott, Shamar Dyer, Jason Watson

Subs not used: Jovel Plunkett, Kasai Hinds, Jamoly Powell, Claudious Blackburn

Booked: Williamson 45+2, Robert Williams 65th, Peddlar (Red Carded) 83rd.

UWI FC — Amal Knight, Rochane Smith, Kemar Flemmings, Jamie Robinson, Davion Garrison (Akeem Thenstead 78th), Ramoun Reid, Leighton Stuart, Jerondy Henry, Anthony Greenland (Patrick Brown 61st), Kemamar Daley, Deno Schaffe

Subs not used: Nicholas King, Kemar Douglas, Kemar Cummings, Kemoy Atkinson, Daniel Gilzene

Booked: Garrison 27th, Daley 28th, Smith 65th

Referee: Kevin Morrison

Assistant Referees: Richard Washington, Lloyd Edwards

Fourth Official: Leon Brown

Match Commissioner: Charles Barrett