Adrian Frater, News Editor

( L - R ) Downswell, Whitmore

Western Bureau:

Despite putting in a credible performance, Reno's bid to climb out of the relegation zone in the National Premier League football competition suffered a setback on Sunday night as they could only manage a 0-0 draw against Seba United in their western derby at Jarrett Park, Montego Bay.

The one point Reno got from the game left them second from bottom of the 12-team standings alongside August Town, who like them, have 33 points.

Seba's one point took them four clear of the lowly-placed teams, although they remain rooted in the lower half of the standings.

"The only thing good about our performance today was that we did not lose the game," said an obviously unhappy Reno coach Wendell Downswell. "Our top players failed to handle their responsibilities well and it affected the performance of the entire team."

Missed chances

Reno had much the better of the early exchanges but hurt their cause with several missed chances. In the third minute, Obrian Woodbine sent Oshane Foote clear on goal with a superb pass. However, he hooked his shot wide of the goal. Five minute later, Reno again came close when Renario Downswell pounced of a low cross but directed his header straight at goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett.

Seba got the first clear opportunity, in the 26th minute, but wasted it. Ricardo Geddes won possession on the edge of the penalty area but his powerful shot sailed over the crossbar, much to the relief of the Reno custodian Dennis Taylor.

Reno squandered another golden opportunity in the 45th minute. Kendre Quarrie capitalised on a defensive error but fired wide from a somewhat difficult angle.

The second half was much like the first with Reno getting the better chances but failing to get the ball past goalkeeper Barrett. They had another glaring miss in the 47th minute when Woodbine worked his way through the heart of the Seba defence, but surprisingly fired tamely at the goalkeeper.

Superb cross

Seba should have taken the lead in the 57th minute when the wily Edward Campbell picked out Norman Foster with a superb cross. However, the veteran's header was directed in the path of goalkeeper Taylor, who clutched the ball safely before it could cross the line.

Reno's dismal form before the goal was again in evidence in the 76th minute when substitute Troy Reid dropped a neat pass at the feet of the wily Woodbine. However, his hurried volley flew over the crossbar.

"We did not perform as well as we should," said Theodore Whitmore, the coach of the Seba United team. "We lost midfielder Mario Samuels to injury early in the game and it impacted our overall performance."