Bender marks Lion return with derby win over Vere

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March 11, 2024

Photo

Humble Lion’s new coach Christopher Bender (right) gestures to his players while his assistant Linval Wilson shouts orders during their Jamaica Premier League encounter against Vere United at Effortville yesterday. Humble Lion won 3-0.

Christopher Bender returned to his old stomping ground at Effortville Community Centre to guide hosts Humble Lion to a comfortable 3-0 win over Vere United in yesterday's Clarendon derby of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL).

Bender, who coached Humble Lion in their first season in the JPL in 2010, returned to the sidelines after coach Vassell Reynolds left mid-week.

The former Camperdown player and coach says he was contacted by the Humble Lion hierarchy last week to take over for the remaining games in the JPL.

"The first thing that the club management asked me to do is to make sure we stay away from the relegation zone. I aim to get some points and separate ourselves further from the bottom two, and we have started that journey today with a tactically disciplined win," said Bender.

The former August Town and National Women's coach said he had taken a hiatus from football for the past five years; however, he said his experience in coaching and the familiarity with the team and the community made his re-introduction a lot easier.

"I had just two and a half sessions with these players, but I asked them to buy into my philosophy, and they believed," added Bender.

It was a different Humble Lion that lost three of their last four games, as they came out rampant against their Clarendon neighbours, who found themselves a goal behind after just 12 minutes when former Humble Lion player Odane Murray turned a left-sided Cleo Clarke's corner into his net.

Clarke doubled the hosts' lead three minutes before the half, as his swirling left-sided corner kick found its way inside the goal after custodian Keneil Petrie misjudged the ball's flight.

The game was put to bed in the 62nd minute when Clarke grabbed his double after capitalising on some horrific defending to rifle home for a 3-0 lead.

The win sees Humble Lion joining Vere United on 22 points from as many games, but, the latter remain just above their rivals in the points standing, in ninth place with a better goal difference.