Dogs’ pedigree obvious in rout
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By
Colin Thompson
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Commercial A Division frontrunners Tuff Dogs picked up
their eighth win of the season to maintain a slim
one-point lead over defending champions Robin Hood last
Saturday.
The youthfulness of Tuff Dogs, who have two games in hand
over Hood, proved too steep a mountain to climb for a
Devonshire All-Stars outfit which went down 4-0 without
offering much resistance at Shelly Bay Field.
Two goals apiece by Carlos Lopes and Quinton Burgess saw
Dogs bag three more valuable points and remain in the hunt
for top honours.
Hood, meanwhile, kept up their hot pursuit of the season's
surprise leaders after edging by Lobster Pot 3-2 in
hard-fought battle at White Hill Field which swung in more
directions than a compass could bear.
Pot stunned the visiting team by forging ahead midway
through the opening half through a goal from Ken Mahadeo.
Their joy, however, was short-lived as Hood equalised two
minutes later via a Tillman Darrell strike.
Paul McCluskey then gave the Merrymen the lead and what
initially appeared to be the winner 12 minutes from
full-time. But Pot were determined not to go down without
a fight and within two minutes found themselves level
after Saleem Mukuddem broke through the Hood defence and
equalised. Hood, though, would have the final say as Dave
Wolfe scored the winner nine minutes from time to keep his
team's league title aspirations alive.
Also remaining in the hunt for league glory were BAA, 2-1
winners over MR Onions at BAA Field. Gary Stewart and Gary
Wilson both converted for the home team, while Nick Briggs
bagged Onions' consolation.
Fourth-placed Key West Rangers, meanwhile, got by
relegation threatened St.George's All-Stars 3-1 at
St.John's Field. Rangers' prolific striker Sergio Griffin,
a former Dandy Town player, kept up his impressive scoring
record by bagging two goals, while last season's top
poacher Craig Critchlow grabbed his team's other. William
Richardson replied for All-Stars who have now lost nine
matches.
At Southampton Oval, for the second time this season PHC
Raiders allowed North Village Rams off the hook and grab a
late share of the spoils.
Things looked very promising for Raiders in the early
going as Al Thomas applied the finish to a brilliant solo
run, beating Nyon Steede with a crisp, low drive which
raced into the back of the net.
Rams, however, equalised shortly after the restart through
hard-working forward Maceo Dill only for Michael Trott to
bolt out of the gate and restore Raiders' lead with a
well-taken strike minutes later.
But, as was the case earlier this season, Raiders were
cruelly punished in the final minutes of this match as
loose marking at the back allowed the ever-dangerous Ricky
Hill to pounce and earn his club a share of the points.
