Basseterre, St. Kitts – WITH Delphic Newtown United FC needing to win by a two-goal margin over SL Horsford St. Paul’s FC to qualify for the Finals in the Digicel Final Four Premier Division Competition, patrons expected to see a high-quality game and not one bleached in controversy and immaturity.
Many football fans and sports enthusiasts were extremely disappointed over the manner in which Newtown United responded to the referee’s decision during the second half that caused the game to end prematurely.
Playing at the Warner Park Stadium on Sunday (June 12), both teams seemed eager for friendly rivalry as they displayed a high degree of energetic performance with a winning mentality.
St. Paul’s however gained early success; for in the 27th minute, George ‘Yellowman’ Isaac’s free kick found the head of Javeim ‘Veemy’ Blanchette and the ball speedily made its way to the back of Newtown’s nets.
As the game continued, the intensity of the match rose rapidly as Newtown did everything possible in the books to equalise, while the equally determined St. Paul’s sought to extend their lead.
Both goalkeepers demonstrated superb flexibility and agility by making some jaw-dropping saves and keeping the scoreline how it was.
At the end of the first half, both teams went back to the drawing boards in their locker rooms, and on resumption of play Newtown seemed a frustrated lot as their chances of playing in the Finals were slowly ebbing.
Early in this half, St. Paul’s were awarded a penalty after a Newtown player handled the ball in the box.
Blanchette took the penalty, but the Newtown goalkeeper dove to his left and clutched the ball in safe hands. The referee however blew his whistle, signalling that it was an illegal save because a linesman indicated that the goalkeeper came off the line before the penalty was taken.
Seemingly disenchanted, a very angry Newtown coach exited the technical area cursing the referee and linesmen about their lack of knowledge and understanding of the game.
The referee retaliated by ordering the coach to the stands. He refused but shortly after complied.
This incident followed with Blanchette taking his second shot at the goal, but the ball was once again in the safe hands of the goalkeeper.
However, as it was in Blanchette’s first attempt, the same linesman flagged the goalkeeper, indicating that he once more committed an infringement of the rule.
The now angry and frustrated Newtown players surrounded the linesman and were loudly using expletives, while their fans threw many bottles and stones at him.
Members of the Drug Squad were on hand and immediately intervened, but the Newtown players refused to continue playing and exited the field immaturely as instructed by their coach.
In an attempt to gain information from Newtown’s coach on the reason for his team’s behaviour, he angrily walked away saying, “D referee dem too f#%*> stupid and cheat, a mus do fu dem.”
SKNVibes was also unable to garner any information from the referee and linesmen, as they were locked away in their dressing room guarded by members of the security forces.
SL Horsford St. Paul’s FC are now through to the Finals following their 1-nil victory. They are scheduled to play their first of the two-best of three match against finalist RAMS Village Superstars FC tomorrow night (June 15) at the Warner park Stadium.
