Tuzo keeps his head when all around are losing theirs
Jomar Wilkinson, the Dandy Town coach, praised his players’ character in the face of adversity that swept them to a second FA Cup triumph in three seasons and fourth overall at the National Sports Centre yesterday.
Town were reduced to nine men late in the match after midfielder Zaire Burchall and Treadwell Gibbons Jr received their marching orders for violent conduct. Town’s opponents, North Village, also had defender Jason Davis sent off for the same reason.
Yet despite having to play the final minutes at a numerical disadvantage, Town still managed to protect their slim 1-0 lead.
“This team has been through a lot of adversity this season and have shown a lot of character, so I was not surprised that they showed character today,” Wilkinson said. “We thrive on ‘No guts, no glory’ and they showed a lot of guts today.”
He added: “I am extremely proud of the group this year. They have put a lot of work in and this achievement validates that hard work does indeed pay off.”
Wilkinson reserved special praise for the versatile Saki Tuzo, who was equal to the task presented to him between the posts on his FA Cup debut after regular goalkeeper Gibbons was sent for an early shower.
“Saki is our back-up ’keeper sometimes and he came up big time,” Wilkinson said. “He stepped up there and did a very assured role for the team. He did not skip a beat and I am very proud of him.”
Echoing Wilkinson’s sentiments, Michael Weeks, the Western Stars Sports Club vice-president, added: “Saki stepped up and showed that old Dandy Town/Western Stars mantra, ‘No guts, no glory’, and the players showed in the end how much they really wanted it.
“It was probably one of the most stressful 15-20 minutes of my life. I do not think I have any fingernails left.”
Tuzo, whose father Troy Lewis is a former Town player, took matters all in stride.
“There was a job that needed to be done and the coach wanted me to do it,” he said. “I just had to go in there and save my team.”
Tuzo added: “I have played in goal before in a league game, but never in a cup game like this. I can play anywhere the coach wants me to play.
“Goalkeeping is something that just comes natural to me and if I have to play in goal I do because it is something I am gifted at.
“It was sad Treadwell went out the way he did. But I told him to give me his jersey and I will keep your clean sheet for you — and so said, so done.”
DANDY TOWN (4-2-3-1)
Treadwell Gibbons 4
Steady in goal and made crucial saves with the game in the balance, but confounded belief when he ran the length of the pitch to strike an opponent and get sent off, leaving his side to scrap for the win
Dominique Williams 7
Performed well and secured his side of the field in keeping winger Dickinson quiet. Used his energy in the dying stages to get his side forward and out of danger
Jah-Quille Stowe 8
Marshalled the defence with partner Minors to perfection. Made timely tackles to thwart any potential goal threats
Brandon Minors 8
The captain did well to deny Village scoring in the dying stages of match. Used his experience and knowledge to not get caught out of position
Terrance Webb 7
Was assured and confident when on the ball and also forceful in challenges when called upon to stifle any momentum that Village mustered
Jahmel Swan 8
A typical match from the midfielder in the engine room for his side: energetic and dedicated to winning every tackle he went into and releasing his side to attack
Reiko Trott 9
The driving force in linking defence into attack. Along with Swan, he was the best player on the pitch
Angelo Simmons 7
Did well spreading the ball to all parts of the park and giving his team different angles to attack from. Missed a gilt-edged chance midway through the second half, but shot rather than passing to open team-mates at the far post
Damon Ming 8
Always bright and full of energy, he put in his usual shift of tormenting defenders and causing havoc down either flank
Zaire Burchall 5
Was crucial in maintaining the right balance in the three behind the striker. Rush of blood to be sent off put paid to the hard work he was doing for his side
Tomiko Goater 7
Hard done by to have to be sacrificed when Town went down to nine men. Was the avenue in which his side got out from pressure in their half
Substitutes
Seion Darrell 7 (for Swan, 54min): Filled in the role of holding midfielder well. Created a few chances on the counter-attack that went begging
Saki Tuzo 8 (for Goater, 70): Manned the goalkeeping duties with great effort. Made a few saves late in stoppage time to preserve the clean sheet
Kyle Wade (for Simmons, 82).
Not used: Daeshun Butterfield, Skyah Furbert, Fabian Frankson, K’wonde Lathan.
Booked: Webb, Ming
Sent off: Burchall, Gibbons.
NORTH VILLAGE (4-4-2)
Mishael Paynter 6
Handed the No?1 jersey in the absence of the suspended Troy Hall Jr. Unfortunate that his reflex save from Burchall’s initial effort fell invitingly for goalscorer Trott. Did very little wrong
Jason Davis 6
Delivered a combative, fully committed performance until his sending-off midway through the second half after an altercation with Burchall
Jahleel Crockwell 5
Started shakily and looked short of confidence and was too often caught in possession. Not the best afternoon for the youngster
Tyrell Burgess 8
A typically commanding performance from Village’s best performer. Defensively strong and always comfortable in possession, he almost scored with a superb dipping volley
Devrae Tankard 7
A steady performance from the tall defender, who was strong in the tackle but sometimes sloppy in possession, especially in the second half with his side looking for the equaliser
Pierre Smith 5
Always a willing runner but could not gain a foothold in the game. It was no surprise when he was substituted early in the second half
Jemeiko Jennings 7
Passed the ball intelligently and seemed most likely to create an opening for his side. Could not quite find the telling ball in the final third
Jonathon Briers 7
A workaholic performance by the midfielder although, like Jennings, was too often forced into defensive duties as the Hornets took control of the middle of the park
Takeyhi Walker 5
Seemed slightly off the pace and offered Village little down the left wing. Arguably better suited to playing a more central role
Kaiwon Dill 5
The utility man found himself as a central striker and did his best to hold the ball up for his team. Substituted at half-time because of injury
Jahron Dickinson 5
Missed a couple of good scoring chances early on and, on the whole, was well marshalled by the organised Hornets backline
Substitutes
Jahquan Smith-DeShields 7 (for Dill, 46min): A surprise that the livewire striker did not start the game. Village looked a more threatening team with him on the pitch
Keishen Bean 7 (for Smith, 52): Looked slightly short of match fitness but offered Village greater creativity going forward
Tah-Mi Williams (for Walker, 80)
Not used: Roderick Bassett, Deaz Chambers, Shannon DeShield, Jordan Dill
Booked: Burgess
Sent off: Davis
Referee: Ronue Cann.
