St George’s 0 X-Roads 1

X-Roads Warriors extended their survival hopes for at least another weekend after grinding out a tough victory on the road against St. George’s Colts courtesy of a Tymon Daniels spot-kick.

The goal came early from one of only a handful of chances giving Warriors plenty to do in order to secure victory, but they were never really tested by their hosts who lacked cohesion and sharpness in the final third.

X-Roads coach Komeini Talbot welcomed the victory but knows that his team still has their work cut out for them if they are to have a chance of survival.

“Every game we are in is a must-win situation from here on out,” said Talbot. “I thought the players showed good character to bounce back from a heavy defeat midweek, but we know there’s a lot more to do just to give ourselves a chance.”

The match started off with both teams trading possession as they struggled to cope with deceptively windy conditions on an otherwise clear day. Neither of the goalkeepers were called into action until the 20th minute when Alleyne Francis forced Warriors’ Q’Shai Darrell to make a good reflex save after getting in behind the defence on the right side of the box.

It was only a minute later when Donavon Thompson’s shot from just inside the box, came off the hand of a St. George’s defender giving the referee no option but to whistle for penalty.

Goalkeeper Freddie Hall got his outstretched hand to the ball but it was struck firm enough by Daniels that it still found its way into the net.

St. George’s had another good chance just before the half when a diagonal ball fell to Tre McCallan at the back post but a poor connection on his attempt allowed Jamin Furbert to recover and clear for a corner.

The second half started much like the first with very little happening for either team, which suited the visitors as they defended their lead.

St. George’s began to make some changes and would eventually get a couple of looks at goal. Anthony Smith had the biggest impact, bringing some energy to the Colts’ attack and came close with an effort from distance that went a few yards wide of the post.

With a little momentum in their favour St. George’s began to apply some pressure earning a number of free kicks in dangerous areas. This is where they came closest to equalising when Macai Simmons beat the wall and the goalkeeper with his attempt only to watch it strike the foot of the near post and get cleared away to safety.

Donovan Thompson almost extended the lead late in the match when he broke through on the counter-attack but Hall did well to parry his effort around the post but in the end Daniels’s lone strike was enough to give the Warriors their much needed win.

SCORERS

X-Roads: T Daniels 22

TEAMS

St. George’s (4-5-1): F Hall 6 ‒ J Darrell 5, N Paynter 5, Phillip Anderson 5 (sub: J Carlington 84min), A Francis 5 ‒ T McCallan 5 (sub: C King 71 5), D Signor 6, J Burgess 5, L Dill 5 (sub: A Smith 57 6), M Simmons 6 ‒ J Dickinson 5. Substitutes not used: E Signor, C Burns, K Ottley, J Wales, S Blaire-Paynter

X-Roads (4-3-3): Q Darrell 6 ‒ R Beek 5, J Furbert 5, M Johnson 6, L Simmons 5 ‒ T Daniels 6, A Daniels 5, Darrin Simmons 5 (sub: M Thomas 67 5) ‒ J Minks 5 (sub: J Morgan 46 5), J Costa 5, D Thompson. Substitutes not used: R Beek, G Gibbons