Anthony Foster, Freelance WriterMAVERLEY/HUGHENDEN defeated Santos 2-1 to advance to the second round of the Western Union/KSAFA Jackie Bell knockout competition at the Maverley playing field yesterday.
Substitute Kevin Brown scored Maverley/Hughenden's winning goal in the 97th minute.
The game was pushed into extra time when Curris Eldemire's 61st minute penalty cancelled out Santos' Hanif Freckleton's 43rd minute penalty.
Santos dominated the first half, but it wasn't until when Ingi Lowe was bounced off the ball by Gregory McCarthy of Maverley/Hughenden, prompting referee Anthony Garwood to point to the spot, that they assumed charge of the match.
In the 51st minute, Maverley/Hughenden's coach, Dennis Duncan, made three changes, replacing Keron DeSilva, Sheldon Forrest and Junior Dennis with Kevin Brown, Tyrone Crossfield and Howard Trout.
The injected players immediately brought life to Maverley/Hughenden by putting a lot of passes together.
Maverley/Hughenden were rewarded for their efforts when a Trout shot was handled in the box by Santos' Freckleton. Eldemire stepped up to score from the spot.
The score remained the same for the remainder of regulation time.
Brown, who was all over the park from his introduction, was rewarded for the life he brought to the team when he netted from a loose ball in the first half of extra time.
"It was a spiritual win for the Maverley/Hughenden football team," Duncan said.
"I got something from the Lord and he told me to put on those three players and, as you can see, the game changed," he said.
Santos' coach, Carlton 'Spanner' Dennis, said his team "didn't want it ... I think Maverley/Hughenden were more hungry today. They played really well, they wanted the game ... They deserved to win."
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
Elleston Flats 3 Allman/
Woodford 2
Pembroke Hall 2 Meadhaven United 3 (penalties)
Rae Town 3 Cooreville 2
Greenwich Town 4 Whitfield 0
Bull Bay 3 Swallowfield 0
Maverley/Hughenden 2,
Santos 1
Shortwood 4 Cavalier 5 (penalties)
