Paget slow down Cougars' title drive
Paget, with some former Cougars players in their line-up, clearly got satisfaction from denying the home team victory at Devonshire Rec. yesterday as the promotion race tightened up.
This should have been a mismatch between the top and bottom teams in the division but Paget not only held their own but took a shock lead in the 41st minute when Chris Wright scored from the penalty spot after Kevin Smith was fouled by Jeremy Salaam.
Cougars looked a much more determined team after the restart and their early pressure paid off with goals in the 50th and 58th minutes as they turned the match around. The equaliser came from the penalty spot when Wali Salaam scored at the second attempt.
The first effort was saved by Wayne Smith to his right but it was ordered to be retaken because a player had moved into the area. This time Salaam planted the ball into the same corner.
The go-ahead goal came eight minutes later when Devon Brangman's shot smashed against the crossbar and Philip Clarke fired home the rebound. But just a minute later the score was tied up again when Alan Williams netted to make it 2-2.
Two players, Cougars' Devon Brangman and Dennis Williams of Paget, were sent off for an off-the-ball incident in the final minute of a tense match.
Ireland Rangers, whose match with Prospect was postponed, could now move to within a point of leaders Cougars who have two matches remaining.
Som.Eagles 2 Social Club 1 Social Club will almost certainly have to wait another year at least to return to the top flight, after this loss at White Hill denied them chance to move back into promotion contention.
Eagles, who also slowed up Ireland Rangers' promotion climb in their last outing, hit Social Club with a goal in each half from Darren Dowling and Sean Dill with Dennis Russell replying for Social Club.
H.Parish 2 St. George's 3 Two late goals by player-coach Neil Paynter and Yusaff Pitt gave St. George's a deserved victory over Hamilton Parish at Lord's.
The East Enders did well to battle from behind after Sean Dill had put Parish ahead with a goal after just one minute. Pitt grabbed the equaliser after 11 minutes and the teams remained tied for the rest of the half.
It remained deadlocked until late in the second half when St. George's took a deserved lead in the 81st minute from a Neil Paynter penalty afer defender Irving Romaine pulled down a player.
Then, with just a minute left Pitt came up with a goal from close range that clinched it for St. George's.
WOMEN'S LEAGUE Dandy Stars 0 Royals 2 Two second half goals gave Royals victory at St. John's Field on Saturday night.
Tanya Semos netted the first in the 59th minute, before Romika Lambe wrapped up the points for Royals with the second goal 12 minutes from time.
Wolves Girls 1 L.Venice 1 Both goals came in the second half as the teams shared the points at Bernard Park yesterday.
Zayna Foggo opened the scoring for Wolves Girls in the 50th minute and Ani Delvalle replied for the Rookies 10 minutes later.