GUY’S HILL: Benbow ballers hopeful despite controversial exit

July 17, 2019 0 By Horace Mills

A football club based in the Guy’s Hill area of St Catherine is optimistic about the future despite what it said is a controversial penalty that prompted its exit from the St Catherine Under-17 Football Competition.

Benbow United Football Club wanted a win to advance to the quarter finals of the competition. However, it lost the deciding match on Sunday, July 14, when the referee awarded a penalty to the home squad – Lluidas Vale Sporting Academy.

The penalty, netted by Chevaughn James of Lluidas Vale in the 95th minute, left both teams locked on 2-2.

That draw sent Lluidas Vale through to the quarter finals; it sent Benbow out of the competition.

President and Coach of Benbow United, Erskin Palmer, said his team feels hard done by the referee who awarded the ‘dubious and controversial’ penalty kick. “We are really disappointed in the end because of how we dropped out,” he told The Beacon.

Palmer further said his team fought hard, taking an early lead in the first half, thanks to Tyreese Greenwood. Zanu Davis out of Lluidas Vale, however, scored the first-half equalizer in the 21st minute.

Benbow, in second-half action, again went ahead with a goal from Carlington Facey. That lead was maintained until Lluidas Vale scored the penalty.

Members of Benbow United Football Under-17 team. Photos provided

Palmer told The Beacon that, although his team’s chances have been dashed for this season, the squad is still young and promising.

“I think the team surpassed expectation because most of this team is 13 [or] 14 years old. We have about three or four senior players otherwise. Ninety percent of the team is first-timer, ” Palmer said.

He added that all of his Under-17 footballers attend Guy’s Hill High School – except for two who are enrolled at Dinthill Technical High.

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