Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

In a game characterised by brilliant goalkeeping, Seba United and Boys' Town played to an exciting 1-1 draw in the 2006-07 Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) fixture, which was played out before only a few dozen spectators late yesterday evening at Jarrett Park.

Boys' Town, which went into the game in seventh place on 18 points, took an early lead through George Vernal, but the Seba United team, which started the game in ninth position on 14 points, drew level towards the end of the half through Omar Christie to grab a share of the points.

"We gave up a silly goal and it cost us two points in the end," said Boys' Town coach Perry Bartley. "However, I thought we played fairly well generally so I really can't come down too hard on the players as a point on the road is usually a satisfactory result."

Learning experience

For Seba United's new Peruvian coach Danilo Barriga, who has only been on the job for a mere two days, he said it is was more of a learning experience for him. However, he said he was happy with what he saw.

"I thought we played well although there were times when I did not see the type of intensity I would want," said Barriga. "We look a very good team when "Tappa" (Theodore Whitmore) was introduced into the game. I like what I saw today and I believe there is enough good material to work with."

After soaking up the early pressure applied by the Seba United team and surviving two missed chances in the fifth minute when Kemar James booted wide and again in the 10th minute when Wilfred Smith fired wide, Boys' Town took the lead in the 17th minute when a sparkling 35 yards free-kick by Vernal crashed into the roof of the net, making the score 1-0.

Seba strikes back

With Boys' Town turning on the pressure and looking rather ominous, Seba struck back and drew level in the 36th when they were awarded a free-kick some 40 yards from goal. The kick by Christie struck the left upright and ricochet into the goal, making the half-time score 1-1.

In the second half, Vernal just missed reclaiming the lead for Boys' Town in the 52nd minute when he got away on the edge of the penalty area but his fierce shot was well saved by Neil Lynch in goal for Seba.

Less than a minute later Boys' Town's custodian Kirk Porter pulled off a similar save after Seba United's substitute Delroy Ellis broke free.

Mid-way the half Lynch was again at his brilliant best for Seba United, pulling off back-to-back saves from Troy Dawes and Vernal as Boys' Town stepped up the pressure despite the commanding presence of Whitmore, who had joined the Seba United midfield.

Five minutes from full-time, Seba squandered a glorious chance to take home all three points. A melee developed before the Boys' Town goal and with goalkeeper Porter on the ground, Ricardo Geddes, with a clear shot, fired wide of the empty goal.

Seba