By Nodley Wright, Staff ReporterA DOUBLE strike in the second half by the competition's leading scorer Roen Nelson gave leaders Hazard a 2-1 victory over Constant Spring at the Ferdie Neita Park yesterday.
Nelson struck in the 67th and 78th minutes to ease the nerves of the home fans who were watching an improving Constant Spring outplaying the home team in the second half. Veteran striker O'neil McDonald rocketed home a freekick in the 86th minute to give his tea some consolation.
"We did not play up to standard and made heavy weather of it," Said Hazard's coach Lenworth Hyde after the game. Hyde gave Constant Spring credit for their performance.
"The Constant Spring team played well and have been playing well of late. I am disappointed in my team because we did not create enough chances but that I think was largely due to the marking of Constant Spring," he continued.
DEFENSIVE BLUNDERS
Constant Spring's Maurice "Danny" Lyn said defensive blunders were the difference between the two teams. "I think it was unfortunate for us to lose the game. We made two bad errors in defence and Nelson did the rest," said Lyn.
"We got good chances to score but the goalkeeper did well. We also had good possession and good ball movement," Lyn continued.
Action in the first half was not of the highest order and at times it appeared as if some of the players might have sampled the sponsored product - white overproof rum. The highlight of the first half was misses by forward Trevino Porter who kicked high over an empty net. Luckily for him he was later ruled to be in an offside position.
He changed his boots but the new ones were no kinder to him. He got another chance and instead of heading the ball into the net, chose to control on his chest and was robbed.
National squad member Shawn Sawyers showed good reflexes to change direction and palm away a redirected header by Victor Samuels.
In an improved second half which saw Constant Spring playing the better football after the introduction of a number of substitutes. It was Hazard who took the lead largely through the hustle of Nelson who dismiss a challenge from goalkeeper Kirk Williams.
Nelson dismissed him and with no defender coming to help, Williams stayed on him but Nelson measured him and two defenders in the goal with a well-taken shot. Eleven minutes later he had his second ramming home an Omar Daley cross which should have been cleared by Richard Henry.
McDonald's strike eight minutes later was a cracker which offered hope but not much more.
