Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

WHITMORE

Former Jamaica midfield magician Theodore Whitmore pulled off a small miracle in the opening game of a double header at Jarrett Park on Sunday when he inspired Seba United to a 1-0 win, their fourth success in 13 games, over Village United at Jarrett Park.

In the feature encounter, Wadadah and Reno played to a goalless finish.

The win was a positive start for Whitmore who was appointed interim coach for two games following the departure of Geoffrey Maxwell last week, a few days after a 0-3 loss to Portmore United.

"I think it was a disciplined game from Seba. We did not have Sion McNish and Damion Williams, but we just had to work. The three points are long overdue and a win is a win so we just have to take it from there," a pleased Whitmore said after the win which pulled them out of the relegation zone.

Glenroy Miller provided the vital strike in the 45th minute to put a smile on the faces of the faithful who turned out to support their team.

But while the result was different there were not many differences in the way the team played. What was impressive about the team was the performance of attacking players Delroy Ellis and Oliver Trail who were used as markers due to injuries and absences.

As has been the case so far this season, Seba knocked the ball around well, but found it difficult to score. For the early first half it appeared as if it would be another misfiring evening as Wilfred Smith, Miller, and Ricardo Geddes had missed opportunities. Of the three only Geddes could not be blamed for missing.

Miller's goal came just before the half-time break when he collected a pass from Whitmore on the edge of the 18-yard box and watched in anticipation as his shot hit the inside of the right upright and deflected into the back of the net. The look of relief on his face said it all.

While it was a good display from Seba United, Village United were at no point in time out of the game as they created and missed opportunities themselves. Luke Tait had the best opportunity for them in the 16th minute when he headed high from inside the box. Ian McAnuff had a shot deflected wide, while Andrew Walker blasted over the bar in the 82nd minute with goalkeeper Loxley Reid on the ground.

Village's Cassman Williams, while dis-appointed with the loss, was happy with the fight his players showed.

"It was just tough luck today. We probably should have got a goal or two but that is just the way the game is. But I am pleased with the performance of the players and I believe we can move on from here," he said.

WADADAH GAME

In the second game Wadadah had the better of play against a Reno team which was lacking in sharpness, particularly in the final third of the field.

The home team started stronger and created and missed two chances in the first 27 minutes. Sion Thorpe missed a lob from inside the box in the 11th minute and captain Daniel Ricketts struck the crossbar from just inside the 18-yard box.

With Nicolai Findlayson and Gary McIntosh out, Reno struggled to establish a rhythm and never really played above a canter.

The game really came to life in the 72nd minute when defender Everton Palmer body-checked midfielder Orville Campbell just outside the area. While Palmer was lucky to escape a caution or even a red card, Markeino Gillings who entered the game three minutes earlier was not so lucky as he was ejected for foul, insultive and abusive language.

Gillings' ejection appeared to have fired up the Wadadah team as Ricketts, who also had a caution, motored down the right flank and crossed low, but the chance could not be converted. Four minutes later he burst into the 18-yard box with goalkeeper Kenrick Blair at his mercy but with his blood still boiling, blasted high.

Seba 1

Glenroy Miller 45th

Village 0

Wadadah 0

Reno 0