Paul A. Reid, Staff Reporter
Maxwell
WESTERN BUREAU
MUCH-TRAVELLED COACH Geoffrey Max-well walked out on his latest team Arlington during the first half of yesterday's Wray and Nephew National Premier League game against Wadadah at Jarrett Park.
Maxwell, who was overheard in a heated argument with a member of his coaching staff over changes just before the half-time break, walked away from the bench with his team trailing 1-0 and just missed the second goal in their 3-0 loss.
It is understood that Maxwell asked the team manger to make a substitution and the manager, club President Everton Foster, refused.
This angered Maxwell, who was overheard asking if they thought this was a "corner league situation".
Olivia Trail, Jermaine Anderson with his 13th goal of the season and Olivia Sewell scored for Wadadah as they won their fourth game in five outings dating back to the second round. The win takes the Montego Bay team to 23 points.
After the game, Foster who gave the team talk at half-time, told The Gleaner they had high hopes coming into the game but "honestly I can't say what was the problem ... somewhere along the line we lost focus and concentration".
He said: "The team is very young and inexperienced and I think we as management and the coach need to exercise a little patience. Yes, we want the best from them but I think a little more encouragement and push would be better."
Foster refused to comment further on the incident with Maxwell or if the coach would be back on the bench for the next game but admitted his walking off did affect the team.
"Yes it did affect the team. When your coach walks out it must affect you mentally. We were trying to keep them focused but it was just one of those things," Foster said.
HAPPY
Wadadah's Williams was understandably happy for the win, saying he was surprised at how easy the game was for them.
"We were struggling and to come and get this game was a gift. It was so easy, we could make three changes just because players were winded but were not playing badly."
Williams had high praises for midfielder Daniel Ricketts who had an outstanding game, saying he had been working harder in training than usual and the rewards were showing.
Ricketts dominated the midfield until he was substituted late in the game and was a constant thorn in the side of the Arlington team.
