Resolute MBU come up short

Western Bureau:

It took an 87th minute goal to knock the stuffing out of Montego Bay United (MBU) who failed to advance past the group stage of the Caribbean Club Championship on Sunday at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

MBU were clipped 1-0 by Trinidad and Tobago's Central FC who won Group Three with six points following an earlier 6-0 win over Scholars FC of the Cayman Islands.

Midfielder Darren Mitchell's strike was the decisive factor in a game that had MBU ending with ten men, after the sending off of centre back Winston Wilkinson for a second bookable offence.

potent striker

The match was marred by frequent stoppages because of injuries sustained in tackles, one of which was the reason MBU's top striker Owayne Gordon had to be substituted.

"You saw us out there playing good football against a very good team like Central FC, but our most potent striker picked up an injury and that to me changed the course of the game," Davis said.

Ronaldo Rodney became the focal point in attack for the home team, but that move failed to bring in goals. He did find the back of the net but the referee ruled that he had handled ball.

An MBU claim for a penalty was flatly rejected by Cuban referee Marcos Despaign when a Central defender appeared to handle the ball inside the area.

The goal came soon after. Central's goalkeeper Akel Clarke kicked the ball upfield where Mitchell controlled well before scoring.