All square in RSPL Clarendon derby

Hosts Vere United and Humble Lion had to settle for a point each in a 1-1 draw in their Red Stripe Premier League encounter at the Wembley Centre of Excellence in Hayes, Clarendon, yesterday.

The point sees Humble Lion in fourth position with 27 points from 18 games, while Vere United, despite the point, still languish at the bottom of the standings on 14 points from 18 games.

A game that was pitted as a fierce battle between the two Clarendon teams, looked anything but in the first stanza as the sides failed to put together any real meaningful attempt at goal until the 25th minute.

The visiting Humble Lion team was awarded a penalty when Andre Gayle was deemed to have blocked a fierce Andrew Vanzie strike with his hands.

Vanzie then stepped up to slot past Shavar Wilson to silence the Vere United fans, who were growing more and more upset as the minutes ticked away.

However, the home side would put the smiles right back on the faces of their supporters as on minute 45, they were then awarded a penalty of their own following some good work from Renoir Elliott.

The pint-sized attacking player outpaced his marker, Mark Rodney, who had no choice but to bring down his man inside the area, forcing referee Steffon Dewar to point to the spot.

Xahne Reid then stepped up to convert the resulting penalty as the teams were all square at the half.

The second half could only be described as a period of wasted ­opportunities as both teams failed miserably in the final third. The most excitement came in the 87th minute when Humble Lion’s Gregory Lewis was sent off following a second yellow card.

Despite being a man down, Humble Lion could have stolen all three points in added time when Rohan Richards’ 20-yard drive was tipped over the bar by Wilson.

Following their league-leading ninth draw of the season, Humble Lion’s coach Andrew Pryce was livid at his team’s casual approach to the game.

“I think we were very lethargic today,” Price said. “It is disappointing and disheartening that we keep on giving up leads and being pegged back as our concentration is not as high as it needs to be. Some people may be happy with a point away from home, but not me. We should have won this game, but we will have to find players who are willing to be consistent for the rest of the season.”

Vere United’s coach Andrew Isaacs says he was pleased with his team’s outing.

“It was a very good game,” he said. “I think we created more chances than Humble Lion, and we should have got more from the game. But I am pleased with the point as we continue our work in progress.”