Rangers, Islanders in stalemate
St. David’s 1 Southampton Rangers 1Two first-half goals at Lord’s yesterday by Ijahman Mallory and Fiqre Crockwell saw two sides hovering in the bottom half of the Premier Division share the points.After offering spirited efforts, particularly in the second half, St. David’s and Rangers were probably satisfied with the outcome although it was the home side who finished the game stronger and could have come away with maximum points.After midfielder Jahma Charles hammered a fierce shot from 18 yards which goalkeeper Corey Richardson had to slap away, a rather tame opening half eventually produced a goal after 34 minutes which seemed to stun the home side.Full back Michael Williams ran down the right flank and crossed for Mallory to slam home with a dazed defence reluctant to challenge him. And strangely goalkeeper Corey Richardson didn’t dive to attempt to block the ball.But the home side didn’t fade. Instead they fought back bravely and within a span of three minute were even, thanks to more suspect goaltending at the opposite end this time with Jason Smith unable to hold onto a Tareek Webb cross from the left allowing Crockwell to calmly tap home the equaliser.Play was more lively after the break with both teams showing more fight and determination albeit unable to lift the level of the contest to any impressive height skill-wise.St. David’s, however, looked more hungry and intent of advancing when in position and on one such occasion Rangers goalkeeper Smith had to block a shot from striker Landro Minors.After 55 minutes the Rangers defence suffered two scares with substitute Dominique Lambert first having his shot blocked by Smith, falling to smother the ball, and then within seconds Lambert came close again but this time he placed the ball wide from a goal-scoring position.The home side followed this up with Landro Minors forcing Smith to brilliantly tip over a blast from the edge of the box.Rangers clawed their way back into the game and during an isolated attack midfielder McQuin Burch forced goalkeeper Richardson to palm away his hard drive from 16 yards.But during the closing 13 minutes St. David’s went on the rampage with Otis Minors, Keimo Bean, Crockwell and Landro Minors all spearheading raids which ended with the defence clearing in desperation.St. David’s: C Richardson; A Cannonier (K Minors, 82), T Govia, D Butterfield, K Bean (A Burchall, 80); A Lugo, T Webb, O Minors; F Crockwell, L.Minors, I VanPutten (D Lambert, 38).Subs not used: J Woodley, A Crockwell.Goal: Crockwell 37Southampton Rangers: J Smith; M Williams, A Russell, I Mallory, K Simmons; J Charles (K Jones, 55), M.Burch, Y.Bean; E.Stoneham, A.Burrows (S Perinchief, 83), J Caisey (T Wilkinson, 56).Subs not used: K Symonds, V Perinchief.Goal: Mallory 34Man of the match: F CrockwellReferee: A Mouchette
