The magic runs out! – Maxwell could not save St George’s this time
BUFF BAY, Portland — St George’s Sports Club bowed out of the Digicel Premier League (DPL) on Sunday afternoon when they were held to a goal-less draw by Sporting Central Academy at their Lynch Park home here.
St George’s, who finished on 46 points, joined Benfica of St Ann as the other team to be relegated. Humble Lion, who also ended with 46, avoided the plunge with a better head-to-head as the tie-breaker.
In other results on Sunday as the curtains came down, Tivoli Gardens defeated Boys’ Town 1-0 to secure the championship at the Edward Seaga Complex, Humble Lion swamped Benfica 7-0 at Drax Hall, Harbour View clipped Portmore United 1-0 at their mini-stadium, Waterhouse and Village United ended 0-0 at Drewsland and Reno edged visiting Arnett Gardens 1-0 at Frome.
St George’ coach, a man brought back to weave his magic to save the Portland outfit from relegation, Geoffrey Maxwell, was understandably disheartened at game’s end.
“I am disappointed as we got two chances and we failed to capitalise on them… the team now has to go back to the parish league and played its way back (up),” he lamented.
But Maxwell, the miracle worker for St George’s when they previously flirted with demotion, appeared to find some solace in the fact that the team is on course for the Flow Champions Cup as they are due to meet DPL champions Tivoli Gardens in the final.
“The team did well in the later part of the season and has gone on to make it to the final, and on the way to win a major trophy,” he said.
Sporting Central’s Nigel Stewart, whose team also faced the possibility of facing the DPL drop, was elated after the final whistle of the season-ending game.
“The Under-21s lifting that title on Friday motivated the (senior) guys and they came here and did well today… we are happy,” he said.
For what it’s worth, St George’s dominated most of the play and should have taken the lead 15 minutes into the game when Romeo Parkes went by two defenders and passed to Richardo Watson, who moved into the goal area but fired over the crossbar.
Shortly after that, Parkes again crossed into the penalty area as Girvon Brown climbed high and headed over the crossbar.
Sporting Central countered through Gary McIntosh, Christopher Bonner and Hugan Gray, but they could not find a way through a stubborn St George’s defence.
The home team lost striker Watson in the 38th minute as he was having breathing problems and had to be substituted by Damion Harwood.
The second half saw both teams attacking with fervour, but it was St George’s who looked more dangerous, but they couldn’t translate that into goals.