An 85th-minute goal from Owayne Gordon earn us a point as Montego Bay United came back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Humble Lion in their Red Stripe Premier League game at WespoW Park on Sunday.
Kevaughn Isaacs gave Humble Lion the lead after 28 minutes and the Clarendon club held on doggedly as they sought their third win in a row before the late heroics from Gordon.
The point pulled Montego Bay United level with FC Reno in second place, with the St James club having the edge on goal difference.
MBU Coach Timothy Hankinson said adjustments after a poor first half made the difference, including several key changes.
“This was a game of two halves, as in the first half we were poor defensively and in offence and they were able to push us up with the long balls and their forwards were able to keep possession well.
“In the second half, we fought our way back into the game and that shows character, that we were able to come back and get the goal.
Playing in slick conditions, caused by rain just before the start of the game, the home team had the early chances, but Allan Ottey missed from close range in the 15th minute, firing into the side netting from close. Two minutes later, Cordel Simpson headed a corner just over the crossbar.
A mistake by Simpson in the 28th minute led to Humble Lion’s goal, as the central defender lost the ball just above the 18-yard box and Isaacs took full advantage, cutting inside before firing beating goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett.
The goal snapped a span of 305 minutes since MBU had last conceded a goal, which was in the 73rd minute against Portmore United in the opening game.
Humble Lion goalkeeper Kadeem Davis had to make strings of brilliant saves starting as early as in the 45th minute when he tipped a free kick from the edge of the 18-yard area over his crossbar.
MBU got their goal with five minutes to go through slick passing in the 18 yard box with Woozencroft passing to Gordon who’s shot, blast pass Davis in goal at his left post.
Teams:
Montego Bay United — Dino Williams, Jermaine Woozencroft, Owayne Gordon, Allan Ottey (Donovan Carey-53rd), Ladale Richie (Ronaldo Rodney-66th), Dwayne Ambusley, Dwayne Holmes, Cordel Simpson, Kemar Drake, Orlando McBayne (Cory Hylton-81st), Jacomeno Barrett.
Subs not used: Romaine Bowers, Winston Wilkinson, Keneil Kirlew, Quante Abbott-Hill-Smith
Booked:Williams (26th), Amusley (40th), Richie (45th), Gordon (81st), Drake (87th)
Humble Lion — Kadeem Davis, Ricardo Cousins (Wolry Wolfe-76th ), Francois Swaby, Ajuran Brown, Roberto Fletcher (Levaughn Williams-58th), Devon Hodges, Hugh Howell, Kevaughn Isaacs (Dwayne Campbell-70th), Kevon Reid, Lynval Lewis, Andrew Vanzie.
Subs not used: Sanchez Lloyd, Fabian Pascoe, Horace Sharpe, Omar Walters
Booked: Howell (58th), Brown (67th)
Referee: Danion Parchment
Assistants: Nicholas Anderson, Oyinco McTaggart
Fourth Official: Raymond Bogle
Match Commissary: Linnel McLean