Carl Spence, Gleaner Writer
A 30TH minute strike from captain Shawn Hunter helped lowly Constant Spring to a 1-1 draw with the Montego Bay-based Seba United in their Wray and Nephew National Premier League match at Constant Spring Sports Complex
yesterday.
The draw, their 12th of the season, plunges them further into the relegation realm as they continue to rest second from bottom of the table with 21 points from 26 games. Seba remain in mid-table on 33 points from 27 games.
The game, which was somewhat a lacklustre affair, saw Seba opening the scoring in the 23rd minute through Omar Reid. Spring's defence failed to clear a left side corner that fell to the boot of Reid at the penalty spot. His right-footed shot grazed a couple defenders on its way past a hapless Kirk Williams in goal.
Spring then lifted the tempo of their game as if the thought of being in the Super League next season is finally registering, and were duly rewarded with an equalizer seven minutes after. A through ball from Oneil Morrison split open the Seba defence, providing enough space for Hunter to place the ball in the right corner of Alrick Henry's net.
OFFICIALS CONCERNED
There was much concern about how the game was officiated and Constant Spring supporters became really displeased with referee Kevin Morison's decision to play an advantage when the shirt of Jermaine Richards was shrugged by Seba's Henry in the penalty box in the 63rd minute. Richards failed to capitalise on the one on one chance with Henry after pushing the ball around him then managing to kick in the side netting even though his shirt was being tugged.
The game also saw a 10 minute delayed second-half restart because the Seba officials became uncomfortable with their presuming absence of security, who were actually there but not in uniform, and the way the home supporters were denouncing the referee.
"It is a game we should have won, but we just failed to capitalise on our chances. We have to just win these games in hand and what it boils down to his that we have to depend on results which we didn't want to do," said Spring's technical director, Maurice 'Danny' Lyn.
Seba's coach, Heron Grey, offered few words: "I'm just concerned with how we gave up so many chances but a point away from home is good."
GOALSHEET
Constant Spring 1
Shawn Hunter 30th
Seba 1
Omar Reid 23rd
