Debutants Lime Hall hold MoBay

Lime Hall opened their Jamaica Premier League (JPL), powered by Wray and Nephew, with a draw against Montego Bay United at Drax Hall yesterday, although ruing a late missed chance which could have secured all three points.

The St Ann-based Lime Hall gave as good as they got on their debut against the former winners, who had the better chances in the first half.

The David Price-coached Lime Hall created excellent openings after the break, the best of which fell to Oniel Henry, four minutes into the six minutes of added time, but with the goal at his mercy, the midfielder side-footed wide of the mark, after the ball was cut back to the penalty spot.

Pryce was pleased with their display, although disappointed that they failed to collect all three points.

“Everything worked according to the plan. The three substitutes combined to create just a tap-in, and that would have capped off a good defensive performance and give the fans three points to start, but it wasn’t to be,” he said.

Nevertheless, he said they would need to keep their concentration levels up to do well in the league, but he thought they applied themselves well in their first match.

“To have them understand that in this league, you have to concentrate for 90 minutes, that’s the most important thing. You have to concentrate right through, and I think this was a good exercise of concentration. We need to build on this going forward,” Pryce added.

It was an open affair, with both teams creating good opportunities. In the first half, the visitors had the better chances, with Nevaun Turner, Brazilian Jean Claudio Rios Ferreira and Renaldo Wellington coming close for Neider Dos Santos’ Montego Bay.

Lime Hall’s best chances came after the break, with Shaquielle Cainn and captain Damani Sewell having near misses.

Nicholas Lawrence had a great opportunity late in the game for Montego Bay. Goalkeeper Sewell deflected Lawerence’s shot was deflected over after he dribbled by two defenders.

“We created chances too,” Dos Santos commented. “It was a balanced match. In the last 20 minutes, I thought we were superior, but we still have to work on the decision-making in front (of goal).

“Many times when we had the opportunity to kill the game, our last pass was poor, our last cross was poor, and so we have to go to the training ground and work on it.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com