Vere pip Humble Lion in Clarendon derby

A late strike from substitute Fakibi Farquharson ensured that hosts Vere United secured all three points with a 2-1 win over Humble Lion in their Jamaica Premier League encounter yesterday at the Wembley Centre of Excellence in a match that would be etched into the memories of fans for its dramatic twists and turns.

The teams took some time to settle into the game, with the first 20 minutes characterised by a cautious approach from both.

However, the encounter burst into life in the 29th minute when Humble Lion took the lead with a well-executed set piece. Veteran Xavian Virgo's left-sided corner kick evaded everyone and ended in the back of the net.

Vere, determined to recover, made a crucial decision at halftime. Goalkeeper Roje Williams was substituted for Keniel Petrie, which proved pivotal as the match unfolded.

The excitement continued in the 56th minute when Roshane Sharpe of Humble Lion embarked on a breakaway dribble. Alwin Strachan, the last man for Vere, fouled Sharpe and received a red card for his transgression, leaving them with 10 men for the remainder of the game.

Vere, despite being a player down, showcased resilience and pulled level in the 66th minute. Kemar Beckford capitalised on an errant clearance inside the penalty area following a Dunsting Cohen corner, slotting the ball home to make it 1-1.

The drama unfolded further in the 67th minute when goalkeeper Petrie made a crucial double save to deny Humble Lion a go-ahead goal, showcasing his shot-stopping prowess and keeping Vere in the contest.

As the clock ticked down, Vere found the breakthrough they needed. In the 89th minute, substitute Fakibi Farquharson tapped home from close range after a clever dummy from captain Javier Brown. The goal sent the Vere supporters into jubilation, completing a remarkable turnaround from being a goal down and a man short.

Vere's assistant coach, Jermaine Douglas, was pleased that they claimed the bragging rights in the Clarendon derby.

"It was one of our better performances as we showed grit and determination. The red card set us behind somewhat, but we dug deep and found the winner, which was well deserved," Douglas said.

Losing coach Andrew Price bemoaned what was a good start that ended with Humble Lion going home empty-handed.

"I didn't think we managed the game well, especially when they went to 10 players. It's disappointing that we were not able to get all three points. We got some opportunities and didn't take them, but Vere took theirs, and they won the game," Price said.