Created: November 02, 2024 20:59

St George’s Kashe Hall forces Wolves goalkeeper Gatwoine Minors into a save as Lamelle Paynter looks on (photo by Ras Mykkal)

Saint George 1 Wolves 2

It was worth the wait for Wolves as the Devonshire-based club overcame St George’s Colts to claim their first Premier Division win of the season at Wellington Oval on Saturday.

First half goals from Khari Sharrieff and Antinori Butterfield gave Wolves a 2-0 lead and despite late pressure from St George’s after Zachary McGuire scored in the 83rd minute, the away team held on to achieve a valuable victory.

Wolves started on the front foot with their mix of high pressing and disciplined defensive line fooling their hosts in the early stages.

The visiting team opened the scoring in the tenth minute when a corner taken by Devon Botelho went to the other side of the field, where Samario Valasse-Paul launched a second cross, which hit the crossbar and fell into the hands of an unmarked Sharieff. , who controlled the ball very well on his thigh before turning to direct his shot past Troy Hall Jr at the far post.

St George’s tried to respond quickly and immediately created a chance when Cameron Neal played a pass to Jahron Dickinson into space on the left side. The striker beat Antoine Brangman and fired a good ball towards the far post, but neither Jarryd Richardson nor Jarazinho Bassett could direct their efforts towards goal.

Wolves’ compact shape stifled St George’s more technical and creative midfielders, especially captain Kashe Hall, who struggled to make a significant impact in the first half.

Instead of trying to force the ball through a congested middle third, the home team resorted to using their width and launching crosses into the penalty area, but their lack of quality showed as most of their set pieces and moments dangerous were faced with confidence by the promoted side.

Just before half-time, Wolves doubled their lead with a well-constructed goal, with Khiari Sharrieff-Hayward extending play to release the speedy Torque Outerbridge. He waited a few seconds before lining up for the onrushing Butterfield to slot into the empty net.

The home team knew they had to adjust their game plan to break down their stubborn opponents and find a way back into the game and they began to maintain possession at the start of the second half, taking advantage of the spaces Wolves offered them in the channels. . .

Kashe Hall, left, from the fight between Samario Valasse and Paul of St George’s and Wolves for possession (photo by Ras Mykkal)

Kashe Hall began to find space in dangerous positions as the home defense advanced further due to their greater control of the match.

This good period of about 15 to 20 minutes brought young Wolves goalkeeper Gatwoine Minors into action with two reflex saves.

First, Kashe Hall benefited from a good interchange between Richardson and Nzari Paynter in the final third and tested Minors with a rasping effort from the edge of the penalty area.

Minors then had to curl a Ne-Jai Tucker shot around his near post from a similar position a few minutes later. Wolves could have made it three when Krishun Douglas picked out Morricko Iris at the far post, but he headed wide.

St George’s reduced the lead to one with seven minutes remaining when Kashe Hall fed substitute Zachary McGuire, who slid the ball past Minors. However, Wolves were able to stay calm and fend off other dangerous attacks to claim their valuable first win of the league campaign.

GOAL SCORES

Saint George: McGuire 83

Wolves: Sharrieff 9, Butterfield 42

TEAMS

St. George’s Foals (4-2-3-1): T Hall 5 – I Gibbons 5, T Burgess 6, N Paynter 5 (sub: M Simmons, 78 min), O Bascome 5 (sub: A Simons, 46 5) – C Neal 6 (sub: J Darrell, 78), N Tucker 6 – J Richardson 5, K Hall 6, J Bassett 5 – J Dickinson 5 (sub: Z McGuire, 70 6). Unused substitutes: G Wade, T Tucker, D Lodge. Reserved: McGuire

wolves (4-2-3-1): G minor 6 – A Brangman 5, K Sharrieff 7, J Martin 5, D Botelho 6 (sub: K Brangman, 57 5) – K Browne 6, K Sharrieff-Hayward 5 (sub : M Iris, 57) – S Valasse-Paul 6 (sub: S Wild, 75), L Paynter 5, T Outerbridge 6 (sub: K Douglas, 75) – A Butterfield 6. Unused Substitutes: L Matthews. Reserved: Outer Bridge, Sharrieff

Referee: D. Jackson