Adrian Frater, News Editor
Wadadah's Rohan Reid controls the ball on his stomach area as a Seba defender move in to tackle in yesterday's NPL game at Jarrett Park. Seba won the game 1-0. - PHOTO BY ADRIAN FRATER
WESTERN BUREAU:
SEBA UNITED made another giant step in their quest to pull clear of the relegation zone in the 2005-06 Wray and Nephew National Premier League yesterday when a first half strike by Wilfred Smith gave them a 1-0 win over Wadadah at Jarrett Park.
By virtue of the win, their sixth of the season, Seba United have now climbed to 22 points into mid-table and out of the shadows of the relegation-threatened Wadadah, Rivoli and Constant Spring.
Wadadah, who were losing for the 11th time in 20 games, remain ninth in the 12-team standings with 17 points.
FLARING TEMPERS
In what was a fiercely contested game, which saw tempers flaring on numerous occasions, Seba United lost defender Carlton Aikens via the red card route in the first half. Wadadah suffered a similar fate in the second half when referee Howard Stennett ejected Zico Herera.
"The early red card upset our game plan somewhat but the players managed to rally and produced the goods in the end," said Seba United's coach Heron Grey. "Wadadah played quite well but once we scored we made sure that they did not get back into the game."
For Wadadah's coach Anthony 'Follies' Williams, whose team had the better of the early exchanges and appeared in control before they conceded the goal, the result was one he saw no reason to complain about.
"I thought we played well and on another day we probably would have won the game," said a philosophical Williams. "It is one of those results where you just accept it and move on because the players basically did what was expected of them. Unfortunately it was not good enough."
In the early goings, Wadadah came close to taking the lead in the seventh minute when a cracking 35-yard free kick by Jermaine Anderson flew inches over the crossbar with Seba's goalkeeper Alrick Henry caught off guard and looking no more than a mere spectator.
With Wadadah having the advantage and looking ominous, Seba were reduced to 10 men when Aikens was ejected for striking Wadadah midfielder Raphael Palmer in the 18th minute.
While Palmer was off the field receiving treatment, Smith pierced the Wadadah defence on a counter attack and fired home, making the score 1-0.
Having taken the lead, Seba United gradually took control with the wily Smith peppering the Wadadah defence with darting runs. However, despite coming close on a few occasions, the half ended without Seba being able to add to their one-goal tally.
The second half saw Wadadah all out in attack and Seba United defending stoutly. In the 47th minute, Wadadah all but scored when Anderson pounced on a loose ball just outside the area but his powerful grounder was well held by the alert goalkeeper Henry.
With Wadadah pressing forward and becoming frustrated with their inability to breakdown the Seba United defence, Herera was shown the red card when he swung his hands viciously at a defender and was promptly ejected by referee Stennett.
GOALSHEET
SEBA UNITED 1
Wilfred Smith (20th)
WADADAH 0
