Brittons Hills Premier League player Paul Straughan hit a decisive strike three minutes into stoppage time as St Philip North stole an unlikely last-second 1-1 draw against home side St Michael South East in their David Thompson Memorial Constituency Councils Classic opener Friday at the Parkinson field.
The dramatic late-game equalizer was the fitting finish to a see-saw football contest that shouldn’t have ended in any other result after each side dominated a half of the proceedings.
But the hosts will still be kicking themselves after blowing several scoring opportunities in the opening stanza before surrendering a strike in the dying moments just 18 minutes following what appeared to be Dario Wilson’s game-winner.
Showing brilliant ball skills, Wilson went on a breath-taking individual run down the left side, breaking down three separate defenders before beating custodian Codie Skeete at the far post with a clinical right-footed finish in the 75th minute.
And for the remainder of regulation time, the strike looked certain to stand as the game’s lone goal, as St Philip North struggled to create any real chances outside of a threatening cross from Straughan that forced keeper Jamel Moore to clear away from Edwin Brereton.
However, the hosts gave up a silly foul just seconds shy of the final whistle, and T’Shane Lorde hit the ensuing free kick into the area to Brereton, who deftly flicked on to an unmarked Straughan for the equalizer.
It was the stunning end to a contest that had its fair share of chances early in the first half when St Michael South East routinely dominated possession. But the home side just couldn’t convert Carlos Bovell’s magic from the right flank into goals, with his teammates failing to get on the end of any of his threatening crosses.
Earlier, Jefferelli Jackman and Christopher Atherley each scored in the first half before Atherley added another three minutes before the end to lead St Michael West Central to an easy 3-0 victory over last year’s quarter-finalists St Lucy.
Coached by Member of Parliament James Paul, the St Michael side opened the scoring in the 38th minute following a crucial giveaway by St Lucy in the midfield that led to Atherley’s back-heel to Jackman in the area.
Alfred Wood then headed a free kick down in the box for Atherley to convert on the stroke of half-time before he finished the scoring two minutes before time by going on a solo run.
At Brereton, Okesi Ladeate scored in the 87th minute to lead St Philip West to a late 1-0 victory over last year’s surprise finalists St Thomas, while St Philip South and St Peter played to a 1-1 draw in the nightcap.
