Champions MoBay lose to newcomers Marverley RSPL opener

It's a whole different level of ball game. But don't tell that to the throng of Maverley-Hughendon FC supporters, who basked in their team's successful outing against the defending Red Stripe Premier League champions Montego Bay United (MBU), following an ill-tempered 2-1 season-opening away win yesterday at the champion's home in Tucker, St James.

It follows their outstanding push through the qualifying rounds months ago, and as assistant coach Hugh Blair said, they were hyped for the trip to Montego Bay, and will be even more joyous to leave with the maximum points against one of the league's elite clubs.

"This could not have gone any better; two goals against the champions in our first match back in top flight football, away from home, is a wonderful feeling," the dreadlocked Blair told STAR Sports.

ILL-PREPARED

For their part, MBU looked slow and ill-prepared, but according to new technical director Serbian Slavisa Bozicic, speaking through an interpreter, there were too many mistakes and that they will have to fix it come their next outing.

They began the match with their talisman forward Dino Williams on the bench, overweight, and still yet not at his best, although when he entered the play he had one sizzling effort on goal that could have easily have gone in.

"We had too many mistakes out there today. It did not look good for the champions, but we will get it right for the next match and hopefully pick up our first point," Bozicic said.

It was indeed a sloppy performance from MBU, with stand-in goalkeeper David Swaby's mistakes costing his team early when Nicholas Scott of Maverley-Hughenden was allowed to score a simple goal in the 47th minute.

Shabby Montego Bay United defending again was the culprit, as Wayne Williams netted his team's second goal in the 78th minute for a 2-0 lead, before Otis Friend, one of MBU's new kids on the block, fired a right-footed shot into the far corner to cut the deficit in half in minute 84.

In other games, Arnett Gardens and Reno played to a 0-0 draw, Humble Lion defeated Boys' Town 2-0 thanks to goals from Leaguhn Williams in the fourth and Ricardo Dennis in the 56th minutes. Portmore edged newcomers Jamalco 1-0. Kambuji Malcolm scored the winning goal in the 71st minute. UWI beat Waterhouse 1-0, and Tivoli beat Habour View 3-0.