The New Year dawning was filled with moments of expectations and new ideals permeated the air as the hosts team sort to elicit a victory from the traveling Reno FC of Westmoreland.
Soon dreams turned into reality as the earliest foray into the visitors penalty area was met by an outstretched hand, that was deemed illegal by the Referee as he signaled to the dreaded spot after just two minutes.
Captain, Jermaine Hue strode forward to take it but soon joy turned into disappointment as the feebly taken kick was well saved by the diving Gavin Barrett in goal.
Hue appeared stunned and his teammates looked dejected thereafter as time after time the many opportunities went abegging.
Free headers by Marcelino Blackburn, Rafiek Thomas and Lovel Palmer all went wide from good positions. Kavin Bryan shot wide but Barrett was the Man-of-the-Match for shutting out many strikes that were destined for goal from Palmer, Wolfe Thomas and with three minutes left to play a near-post strike from substitute Jomo Gordon.
As Reno defended stoutly, the new league marvel Troy Reid diminutive figure wiggled down the left flank then twisted and turning he dribbled inside before rifling a shot goalward that clattered onto the crossbar with goalkeeper Dwayne Miller stranded it bounced back outside the area as Reno’s hope of an upset were dashed as the whistle sounded the end, in the 0-0 stalemate as Reno rejoiced they also bemoaned the fact that goalkeeper Barrett’s heroics resulted in a broken arm discovered only thereafter.