Last-gasp penalty keeps Rangers in thick of title chase
A last-minute penalty by Roderick Lewis gave Key West Rangers a thrilling 4-3 victory away to Lobster Pot on Saturday and allowed them to keep pace with Robin Hood, the Commercial League A Division leaders.
Although Lewis made good from 12 yards, Des Minors was the star of the piece for Rangers, who trailed 3-1 with 13 minutes remaining. Minors, who equalised first in the 57th minute, completed the 24th hat-trick of his Commercial League career with strikes in the 77th and 81st minutes.
The Rangers striker appeared on course for his 219th goal in 188 appearances before he was brought down for the decisive penalty award.
Pot, who are a distant fifth after slumping to their third defeat on the trot, led twice through Jim McLaren in the 25th and 67th minutes before Steve Rosney scored in the 70th.
Hood, mindful that they need to up the tempo after the recent loss to Rangers, thrashed Cable & Wireless 6-2 to bring their goal difference to a level comparable to Key West, who are three points behind but with a game in hand against Tuff Dogs.
Alan Mooney and Simon Turner had two goals apiece with Shane Brown and Derek Stapley grabbing the others.
MR Onions go into the holiday break full on confidence that they can take advantage of any slip by the front-runners after a 3-1 win away to PHC Raiders.
Their ambitions received an early jolt when Brian Anderson put the home team ahead after nine minutes. Richard Helme equalised in the 32nd minute and Onions sealed it midway through the second half with a double strike by Andy Robinson (73) and Nick Briggs (76).
Kevin Mooney scored 11 minutes from time to give Tuff Dogs a hard-fought 2-1 win away to BAA Wanderers, who are languishing in sixth place. Jamal Lovell gave the visiting team the lead after only four minutes but Gary Wilson hit back for BAA in the 11th.
North Village Rams created a little breathing room between themselves and the relegation positions after a 6-1 drubbing of Vasco Mariners.
Derek Bell and Damon Wade gave Village a good platform with goals in the eighth and 15th minutes before the match turned into a rout in the second half.
Wade completed a fine hat-trick with goals in the 56th and 58th minutes, Elliott Jennings netted in the 64th and Myron Simmons scored from the penalty spot in the 76th minute. Joe Cunha replied for Vasco.
The feature match in B Division saw St. George's All-Stars and Somerset Extros play to a 1-1 draw at Wellington Oval.
A high-scoring affair appeared to be on the cards when Joseph Foggo gave the home team the lead after 30 seconds, only to be cancelled out by a strike by Ronue Cann a minute later. But the defences held firm with St. George's seeing their league lead trimmed to three points.
Prison Officers duly took advantage of the dropped points as they beat Dockyard Falcons 4-2 at Malabar Field. Reginald Pitcher scored twice for the Officers with Donald Norford and Millard Rawlins getting one apiece. Mike Williams and Junior DeSilva scored for Falcons.
Casey Burgess scored twice to spoil Prospect/Fire's day as Wolves Pack, the bottom club, forced a 2-2 draw. Mike Rawlins and Dean Martin had the goals for Prospect/Fire.
At Shelly Bay Field, the match between Valley International and Devonshire Colts all-Stars was abandoned after 45 minutes with Valley leading 4-1.
Colts, who began the match with nine players, were unable to continue after the interval, citing injuries to three players. Kevin McNeil, Troy Simmons, Zaine Bolin and Kevin Isaac scored for Valley while Kenny Dill responded for Colts.
The remaining match saw Bermuda Pest Control beat Devonshire Lions by default.
In the Women's Konica Cup, Waynesha Bean celebrated her return from school overseas to score a hat-trick as PHC Zebras beat Prospect 6-2. Kimmisha Perinchief, Shuntae Todd and Edna Medeiros scored the other goals while Terry-Lynn Williams and Derricka Brangman were on target for Prospect.
Dandy Stars overcame an early deficit to see off Wolves Girls 3-2. Georgina Davis put Wolves ahead after only 30 seconds but Stars hit back strongly thanks to a Lynnisha Lambert own goal in the 19th minute and further efforts by Talithia Davis (22) and Tanisha Manders (31). Jonelle Caines brought Wolves closer three minutes into the second half.
The other match saw Rude Girls defeat Robin Hood 2-1 on goals by Shivon Washington and Naquita Dill. Amy Knott netted for Hood.