Daraine Luton, Freelance WriterTHE POINTS difference between the two top teams in the KSAFA/Jamaica National Super League is still three, this after the completion of yesterday's 16th set of games. The clash of the titans Santos and Meadhaven which was expected to produce fireworks, petered out into a tame goalless draw at Campion College.
The result means that leaders Meadhaven inched up to 32 points and remain atop the 12-team standings. Santos, on the other hand, tiptoed up to 29 points but are now closely pursued by August Town, who moved up to 28 points with a 3-0 drubbing of Shortwood United at the University of the West Indies Bowl.
PHYSICAL ENCOUNTER
At Campion College, both teams ended a physical encounter with 10 men but unable to come up with goals. In fact, both teams lacked creativity going forward and this was reflected in their inability to put together passes throughout.
That aside though, Santos and Meadhaven locked horns going into the half-time break but soon after the interval, Meadhaven got the opportunity to move one up.
Santos' Asa McIntosh was ejected for foul and abusive language directed at the referee after he was bundled over by an opponent. The injured McIntosh required help to leave the pitch.
Meadhaven failed to make the man advantage count and were little worry for Andrew Sewell in the Santos goal. So sub-standard was their attacking game that their coach, Michael Clarke, was heard shouting "good try" after midfielder Rohan Williams, from 20 yards, kicked the ball midway between the corner flag and the goal post.
On the stroke of full time, Duwayne Smith, who was last man back, was red-carded for deliberately impeding Fabian Nethersole who was on his way to goal.
HAPPY FOR POINT
Clarke though was happy for the point. He said his team played without some key players and should be commended for the display.
"We wanted to win. This game is behind us now. We have to just keep working hard so that we can stay in front," Clarke said.
Meanwhile, Carlton Dennis, coach of Santos, said his team "now has to hope that Meadhaven get stopped along the way and we continue winning. We have six more games and we just have to ask ourselves whether we want to be the champion," Dennis said.
In other games, Police National beat Barbican 3-2 to overtake Maverley/Hughenden who played out a 1-1 tie with the Jamaica Defence Force. Rae Town had a come-from-behind 2-2 draw with Mountain View at Breezy Castle, while the game between Bull Bay and Greenwich Town was goalless.
