Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

Reno drew 1-1 with newcomers Santos in a thrilling encounter on Sunday in the Sherwin Williams Women's League at the Bell Chung Oval.

Reno paraded national under-20 forward Simone Honeyghan, goalkeeper Shena Wint and Nugene Nugent, but the Bell Chung girls fought until the last minute to ensure some solace on their home ground.

Things got off to a rocky start for Reno as Nordia Guthrie found herself on the injury list in the 12th minute and had to be replaced by Tanya Desporte.

Despite the setback, Reno, who were defending superbly, took the lead in the 20th minute when Nugent scored a free kick.

10 players

Their chances improved in the 46th minute when Santos were reduced to 10 players, as Peta-Gaye Smith was ejected from the game.

Reno continued to maintain their lead until goalkeeper Wint fouled Santos defender Dianne Scott in time added for stoppages and a penalty was awarded.

The spot kick, taken by Scott, ended Reno's hopes of securing back-to-back victories in the competition.

Merron Gordon, coach of Reno, said: "These things happen when you don't score your chances. We should have won this game by seven or eight goals with the number of chances we threw away."

Remarkable performance

Meanwhile, the coach of Santos, Carlton Dennis, was elated that the team having entered the competition for the first time had displayed a remarkable performance.

"They showed great character being one woman down for almost an entire half, but they came back. We hit the post a couple of times, missed a penalty which was the first chance to equalise," Dennis said.

"It is very encouraging for us. We lost the first game and now we have a point," he said.

In the day's other games, Barbican defeated Arnett Gardens 5-1. Marcillee McBean scored twice for Barbican, while Latoya Panton, Janine Dennis and Shanique Smith scored the other goals.

Portmore Strikers went down 4-1 to the Trelawny women, with the lone goal coming from Tashana Vincent in the 55th minute.

Constant Spring were 1-0 winners over Barbican as Juneille Watkins scored in the 79th minute.

Due to the inclement weather, there was no play in the games between Olympic Gardens and Waterhouse and Meadhaven United and Harbour View.