St George’s Colts 1 Hamilton Parish 1

Substitute Jutorre Burgess scored 15 minutes from time to earn Hamilton Parish a point and deny St George’s a third Premier Division win of the season at Wellington Oval.

Burgess, who replaced Jalen Commissiong in the 57th minute, sliced in the equaliser from a Justin Bell free kick after St George’s had taken the lead in the 29th minute through Kashe Hall, who scored directly from a corner.

Sergio Goater, the Parish coach, thought his side deserved to walk away from the match with a point after the two teams could not be split for a second time this season with their first clash ending in a 2-2 draw at the same venue in October.

“It’s a well-earned point for us,’’ Goater said. “On the balance of the game, it could have gone either way. I felt in the first half we were under pressure because of the wind but we still dominated the match.

“They got a goal against the run of play but I'm very pleased with my players’ performance, especially showing character coming from behind.

“Coming into this game, we were looking for the three points to get us ahead of the chasing pack and get ourselves out of that sticky area.

“We know we’re far from the top but we'll try to get the highest finish we can achieve. Eight games to go and we’ll see if we can win all of them, that’s the plan.”

Jarreau Hayward, the St George’s coach, believes his team have started to turn the tide despite sitting just two places and five points above the relegation zone.

“I’m really proud of the guys first and foremost for taking the necessary steps forward,’’ he said.

“It’s starting to get healthy and the players are starting to gel. I thought we deserved a shutout and the three points today. Unfortunately we didn't, so we just have to continue to work and progress. Progress is the name of the game right now.

“We've got to do better in both boxes, scoring goals and keeping the ball out. I thought we limited their chances. In the opposing box when we are attacking, we just have to be a little better and sharper, and have that desire to put the ball home.

“I think we’re one win away from really finding our form. Once we get more guys healthy then I think these guys can win games for us. We just need to be patient.”

St George’s led for most of the match after Hall found the net direct from a corner but Parish found a way back in after Goater made three changes in the second half, with the usually reliable Macquille Walker one of those withdrawn.

Goater’s moves added impetus to the Parish attack as they started pushing forward in search of the equaliser and one of their forays led to a free kick awarded to the Hot Peppers just outside the box.

Bell delivered the ball into the danger zone and with St George’s failing to clear, Burgess pounced at the near post.

SCORERS

St George’s Colts: Hall 29

Hamilton Parish: Burgess 75

TEAMS

St George’s Colts (4-3-3): J Hill 6 – N Paynter 6, T Burgess 5, P Anderson 7, A Simons 5 (sub: A Cannonier, 62min 5) – K Hall 7, C Burns-White 6 (sub: J Daniels, 71), J Salaam 6 – O Bascome 6, B Hall 6, P Simons. Substitutes not used: R Phipps, D Bascome, G Wade, E Signor.

Hamilton Parish (4-2-1-3): N Burgess 6 – Q Outerbridge 6 (sub: K Knights, 67 5), M Turner 6, M Hill 6, K Bean – Z Burgess 5 (sub: S Valasse-Paul, 57 5), N Beckington 5 – L Lewis 5 – J Bell 7, M Walker 5 (sub: G Burgess, 57 5), Commissiong 6 (sub: J Burgess, 57 6). Substitutes not used: C Lindo, C Smith. Booked: Z Burgess.

Referee: A Francis.