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Wolves feeling rejuvenated, says Minors

On target: Jared Peniston

Vincent Minors, the Wolves coach, was delighted with his side’s team fighting spirit in their 2-1 win over league leaders St George’s at Garrison Field at the weekend.It was St George’s first defeat in 11 league games this term.“We were under a lot of pressure at times,” Minors said. “We defended very well as a team; that’s what it’s going take.”Minors said that the three points were extremely important for the East End side.“Sunday’s win was a morale booster,” Minors, 44, added. “It shows that on the day we can beat anyone; we just have to play to our potential.”A ninth-minute strike by Tayo Smith shocked the First Division leaders, before experienced midfielder Jared Peniston made it 2-0 in the 88th minute. Jahron Dickinson scored a 90th-minute penalty for St George’s. Meanwhile, Devonshire Colts coach Ray Jones was more than satisfied with his side’s overall performance in their 6-0 triumph over Ireland Rangers at Malabar.Youngster Chemari Henry and midfielder Jan-Hendrik Hein each scored twice, while top scorer Senoj Mitchell and youngster Jahniko Francis added one goal apiece.“It was a decent match,” said Jones, the Bermuda assistant coach said. “We had a slow start, though; Malabar creates its own challenges.”Jones believes his team’s fitness and passing were important factors in their thumping win.“Once we got passing game going, we started to break them down,” he said. “Then our fitness showed, and we piled on more goals in the second half.”Jones said Colts will continue to take each game as it comes as they do not want to look too far ahead in their bid for promotion.“Our focus is one game at a time,” he added. “This week we have Wolves, and they are the team who gave St George’s their first loss.”Colts must stick to their task, says Jones says, who expects Wolves to be up for extra motivated after condemning St George’s to their first league loss.“We really have to be prepared,” he said. “That win has rejuvenated them, they are the first team to defeat St George’s in the league.”Although Colts beat Wolves 6-2 earlier in the season, Jones says his team must remain mentally focused because it will not be an easy game.“We have already played them in the beginning of the season. Although we beat them comfortably last time, this won’t be easy.”“We must be focused on our game. I will use all my experience to make sure the players are in the right mindset.”Jones will treat all his remaining games as finals because Colts have to get as many points as possible to secure one of the two promotion places.“We have been starting games slowly,” he said. “We are doing some drills and looking at our warm-up prior to matches.”Jones says the coaches are trying to keep his young players focused on the game plan.Although they won the Shield Trophy this month, Jones believes another title will reward the dedication of his players.“We deserve some fruit for our work,” he said. “They have earned it; the foundation was laid with their junior coaches.”Vasco da Gama, third, lost ground on second place Colts when they drew 4-4 with St David’s at Bernard Park. Ricardo Ponte scored twice for the promotion chasers, while Deshun Hendrickson and Ayrton Van-Duyne added solo tallies.St David’s, who were two goals and a man down with ten minutes remaining, got goals from Otis Minors, Jordan Watts, Dmitri Butterfield, and a stoppage-time header from Kontai Burton to snatch the point.Hamilton Parish beat Social Club 1-0 at Wellington Oval, with Kneiko Richardson’s penalty separating the sides.