Dwight Nelson, Gleaner Writer

Sporting Central Academy and Village United played to a 0-0 draw at Brancourt in a Cash Plus Primer League match yesterday.

The first half lacked excitement with both teams managing only a few threatening attacks. Village, however, could haven taken the lead in the 21st minute when Devron Clarke got a sitter with only goalkeeper Leighton Murray to beat. He booted the ball wide of the goal.

Winston Griffiths could have given Sporting Central the lead two minutes later when the very skilful Karl Wiggan made a through pass in the 18-yard box, but Griffiths booted the ball wide. In the second half, Village came out looking the better team as they made several advances towards Sporting Central's goal area. But stern defending by Sporting Central, marshalled by Linval Lewis, prevented them from scoring.

Red card

The Trelawny team, which stayed bottom on four points, was reduced to 10 players with four minutes of regulation time remaining when referee Howard Stennett handed Troy Smith a red card for a dangerous challenge.

Kevin Williams, coach of Sporting Central who are tied in mid-table with Waterhouse, Reno and Boys' Town on 10 points, said: "The players looked lethargic and they were not exciting, they were not moving the ball, even when Village went down to 10 men in the latter part of the game. We were not concentrating on moving the ball and as a result we ended up looking very poor indeed and ordinary."

Village's Fitzroy Ried said: "It was a very hard game for both teams and both teams needed the win."

He added: "We just did not score today and we just have to work a little harder in training before we meet Waterhouse in our next game."