Hanover, Challenger draw first blood

Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:

Former champions Hanover Masters and Challenger Masters both made important strides in their bid to qualify for the finals of 2009-2010 Steve Bucknor Western Masters Football League on Sunday afternoon when they both registered first-leg semi-final wins against champions Violet Tourers and Logwood Stump, respectively.

In their game at Kenilworth in Hanover, the star-studded Hanover Masters, behind goals from Devon Rickettes (2), Paul 'Tegat' Davis and Flaize Warren, were all the rage against Violet Tourers, handing them an emphatic 4-1 spanking. Michael Clarke got Violet Tourers' consolation goal.

"It was a most efficient performance," said Davis, in analysing Hanover's win against a Violet Tourers team which defeated them in last year's final. "We will be looking to repeat this performance in next Sunday's second-leg game at Jarrett Park."

In their game against Logwood Stump at the Albion Youth Centre in Montego Bay, Challenger were guilty of squandering numerous scoring opportunities, but in the end snatched victory, courtesy of a second-half strike by midfielder Patrick Clarke.

"We played well, but we wasted too many easy chances," said Ricky Warburton, the coach of the Challenger team. "I also believe we should have got a penalty but the referee did not make the call."

In their game against Violet Tourers, Hanover took the lead in the 23rd minute when Rickettes dropped a neat pass into the path of Davis and his shot gave goalkeeper Warren Barrett no chance.

Perfect pass

Hanover doubled their lead in the 30th minute when Davis turned provider, spraying a perfect pass to Rickettes before the goal. He made no mistake, booting home easily to make the half-time score 2-0.

In the second half, Rickettes notched his second goal of the game and made it 3-0 for Hanover Masters when he caught the Violet Tourers defence napping and booted home easily from close range.

Violet Tourers got on the scoresheet in the 57th minute when Clarke breached the Hanover defence to make the score 3-1. However, their joy was short-lived as Warren re-established Hanover's three-goal advantage, booting home in the 67th minute.

At the Albion Community Centre, Omar Clarke and Andrew Edwards missed numerous chances for Challenger as they dominated against Logwood Stump. Nonetheless, Challenger found a hero in Clarke (Patrick) who fired home from inside the goal area in the 69th minute.