Daraine Luton, Freelance WriterPREMIER LEAGUE hopefuls Santos yesterday thrashed Maverley/Hughenden 4-0 at the Bell/Chung Stadium in east Kingston as action continued in the Jamaica National Super League.
Santos, with the win, move to 25 points but are still second in the standings as leaders Meadhaven beat Shortwood 3-1 to extend their tally to 27.
Maverley further behind as defeat means they remain on 21 points.
Yesterday, substitute Fabian Nethersole scored a brace close to curtain time, netting in the 90th minute and three minutes into stoppage time. His goals built on the early foundation laid by Hanif Freckleton's 31st minute penalty and Shyan Evans' well-taken effort in the 37th minute.
"After today, we have nine more games and we just have to remain focussed. We put ourselves in this position and we have to take ourselves out," said Santos' coach, Carlton 'Spanner' Dennis.
PREMIER LEAGUE AMBITIONS
Santos harbour ambitions of getting to the National Premier League but will have to first win the Super League and qualify from a play-off stage which will follow. They have twice got to the play-offs in recent seasons but have failed to make any head way.
Maverley ended the game with nine men after Phillip Peddie and Kevin Brown were red-carded. Peddie got a straight red in the 79th minute for a vicious tackle on Nethersole, who had cleverly disguised the ball from him, while Brown was sent packing in the 87th minute after a second bookable offence.
In addition to the two red cards dished out, a total of 11 yellow cards were issued in a game in which tempers flared.
Despite the highly physical nature of the game, Dennis said his team was determined not to allow it to affect their game plan.
"We aim to go forward ... all the way. We came for three points because we need them to help us get there," Dennis said.
Maverley found themselves coming up short from as early as the first half when coach Dennis Duncan had to inject his playmaker Richard Henry early at the expense of linkman Andrew Thompson.
However, despite coming in 15 minutes before the first half ended, Henry was unable to spark until the second half. In fact, Maverley dominated that half and, with a little more discipline in front of goal, could have left with a point.
"It was a sad day for Maverley/Hughenden," said Duncan. "To lose this way is just sad.
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
SUPER LEAGUE
| August Town | 3 | Bull Bay | 0 |
| JDF | 2 | Police | 1 |
| Meadhaven | 3 | Shortwood | 1 |
| Mountain View | 3 | Greenwich Town | 2 |
| Barbican | 4 | Rae Town | 0 |
MAJOR LEAGUE
| Rockfort | 0 | Duhaney Park | 0 |
| Real Mona | 2 | Central Kingston | 1 |
| Cavalier | 2 | Cooreville Gdns | 1 |
| Elleston Flats | 0 | Brown's Town | 0 |
| Pembrook Hall | 3 | Whitfield Town | 0 |
| Olympic | 3 | Molynes | 0 |
