Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Cavalier central defender Rudolph Speid (right) tackles Reno striker Josimar Crooks during the Red Stripe Champions Cup KO first round match at Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday. Reno won 2-0. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
PREMIER LEAGUE strugglers Reno FC registered a comfortable 2-0 first-leg win over Cavalier FC during their Red Stripe Champions Cup Knockout match at the Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday.
Manning schoolboy and National Under-17 player, Drian McNain, gave Reno a 45th minute lead, heading home a right-sided cross from Nyron Davis.
The pencil-slim striker rose high above the defence and immaculately placed his header wide of the diving Everdean Scarlett in goal.
McNain then turned provider and returned the favour, setting up Davis in the 88th minute. Davis collected a ball from McNain well inside the box and disposed of two defenders before slotting home for a well taken goal.
Rodulph Speid, player/coach of Cavalier, said his team lost concentration at two crucial points in the game.
"We lapsed in concentration about five minutes from the end of each half. I think it was a fairly even game until those two blunders," said Speid, who is also the treasurer of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).
"But we will try and come back next week, we haven't given up. We'll take the fight to them Cavalier-style next week," he added.
Meanwhile, Eaton Bruce, coach of Reno, said he was fairly satisfied with the victory although the players didn't follow instructions.
"It was a good win. We didn't consistently play as we wanted and how they were coached. We have a lot of youth and that's a motivating factor. I am hoping to get rid of the jitters and move on."
MADE MISTAKES
"I am looking towards the next game. We made some mistakes and we are going to correct those and move on to the next round," said a confident Bruce.
In front of a very small gathering of approximately 100 spectators, the atmosphere resembled one of a practice game. But Major league outfit Cavalier, through Andrew Gill, Ricardo Burke, Clint Reid, Bernard Blackwood and Jermaine Campbell took the fight to Reno.
For the greater part of the first half the Kingston team matched Reno blow for blow until their legs went.
Reno, fielding a relatively young team with the skilful, McNain, Davis and Keneil Moodie were ably supported by veteran Kendrie Quarrie and Omar Dallas and used their superior fitness to prevail.
At Spanish Town Prison Oval, Rivioli Football Club beat Negril Football Club 3-0. The goals came from the boots of Devon Hodges in the 13th minute, Derrick Planter in the 33rd and Patrick Beech in the 78th.
In another match at Lynch Park in Port Antonio, St. George's blanked St. James' Salt Spring 2-0.
GOALSHEET
Cavalier 0
Reno 2
Drian McNain, 45th,
Nyron Davis, 88th.
