UNBEATEN MERIDIAN Youth Milan footballers are now in seventh heaven.
The Checker Hall, St Lucy-based team upstaged Mackeson Brittons Hill 2-0 to make it seven consecutive wins and a maximum 21 points while widening the gap at the top of the table in this year’s Digicel Premier League.
Playing the first game of a triple header at the National Stadium yesterday evening, Youth Milan, with coach Randolph Cox making a superb tactical move by employing two tall holding midfielders in Marlon Greaves and Kemar Chase, took the lead in the 23rd minute, Dwayne “Boots” Griffith slotted home a square back from the right side by Greaves which the Brittons Hill defence failed to clear.
Brittons Hill, who entered the match in second position on ten points, should have equalized a few minutes later but Ricky Barnes, lucky not to be flagged for off-side, had his shot blocked by Milan goalkeeper Adrian Chase.
Barnes also cut back the ball for fellow striker Walton Burrowes but he kicked over the goalbars. Chase had to make a few timely saves early in the second half as Brittons Hill sought the equalizer. They brought on lanky striker Hendy Richards for midfielder Zadkigah Samuel but shortly after, Milan doubled their lead in the 76th minute.
Ramuel Miller lobbed forward a free-kick and Norman Forde powered past Gregory “Lalu” Goodridge as he took the ball on his chest and hit a shot past goalkeeper Kerry Holder, who got his right hand to it but could not stop it from going across the line.
To compound their woes, Brittons Hill soon went down to ten men when referee Trevor “Muslim” Taylor, who enjoyed a good game, redcarded Barnes for a reckless tackle on Milan substitute Ryan Griffith.
Brittons Hill manager Fabian Wharton played his final card when he introduced national striker Riviere Williams for his first game of the season after revovering from a leg injury, but it was to no avail as the Milan defence, marshalled by Dwayne Skinner and Romelle Burgess with Shane Hinds playing solidly, at right back, held firm.
