Charlie Smith hold Eltham to 0-0 draw

Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

ELTHAM'S HOPES of capturing the Corporate Area schoolboy double were hampered when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Charlie Smith in their ISSA/Pepsi/JN Manning Cup clash at Stadium East yesterday.

Meanwhile, 19-time champions Jamaica College's (JC) hopes were ended when they were beaten 1-0 by Spanish Town.

Eltham and Spanish Town will now have it all to play for when they meet to decide the winners of the group as both teams are now tied on four points with the Walker Cup champions, Eltham, having a better +1 goal difference. Eltham dominated the first half but failed to capitalise on numerous scoring chances offered by a disorganised Charlie Smith defensive unit.

Tremaine Stewart, Jamoy Sibbles and Dwayne Hunter were all guilty of missing sitters for Eltham. Michael Russell got Charlie Smith's best chance when he ran by two Eltham defenders and, with goalkeeper Kelso Cousins at his mercy, shot wide of the target.

Upon resumption, Spanish Town-based Eltham continued to dominate possession with fleet-footed Stewart tormenting the Charlie Smith defence with his skillful dribbling skills, which earned him a penalty in the 80th minute when he was brought down inside the 18-yard box by Gillian Pusey.

However, Dwayne Hunter's penalty kick was saved by Charlie Smith's custodian, Dervon Brown, much to the delight of their fans.

Player ejected

Stewart was then ejected in the 85th minute after picking up a second yellow card. After the dismissal of Stewart, Eltham's coach, Gregory Allen, was forced to make a number of changes to his midfield and they nearly paid of when Shevon Brown missed twice from point-blank range in the dying moments of the game.

"We had our chances and we just didn't put them away," said Allen. Allen also noted that Stewart's absence won't affect his team when they meet Spanish Town in a crucial encounter on Saturday.

"We have played without Tremaine already. So this time is no different.We just have to go back to the drawingboard and and hope for the best in our next game."

Jerome Waite, coach of Charlie Smith, said: "It was a tough game. Both teams came to win. In the end it ended 0-0, but it could have gone either way."

In the curtainraiser, an 81st-minute strike from Ronique Rowe carried Spanish Town to 1-0 victory over Jamaica College.