McKenzie own goal gift Tempete draw against Alpha 1-1

Mar 23, 2009 Sports

By Franklin Wilson

An own goal by defender Kelvin McKenzie in the 71st minute handed Haiti’s Tempete FC a draw against Alpha United in their first leg match-up of the Caribbean Football Union’s Champions Cup tournament on Saturday evening at the GCC ground, Bourda.

Equaliser!!! Defender Kelvin McKenzie (2nd right) grimaces in pain on the ground after the ball settles at the back of the nets, a rebound from a blocked penalty kick taken by Tempete F.C. GK Ronson Williams (right) was barely able to stand up after keeping out the penalty kick on the first try. (Franklin Wilson photo)

In unfortunate circumstances, Tempete were awarded a penalty after their robust No. 9 forward Eliphene Cadet was brought down in the area.

The ensuing penalty kick was taken and Alpha’s custodian Ronson Williams did well to block the shot only for the rebound to hit McKenzie, rocketing past Williams, who was still recovering from the save, ending at the back of the nets.

Williams was visibly disappointed but referee Kenville Holder of the Cayman Islands had already pointed to the middle, confirming that the goal was legal.

The fair sized crowd was silenced as the Haitians, despite being reduced to 10-men in the 64th minute when Thompson Amius was sent off for violent conduct, controlled the game and were ultra offensive against the local side in the second half.

Alpha, boasting a powerful line up on paper including the likes of national captain Charles Pollard and his defence twin Howard Lowe along with strikers Dwight Peters and Elton Browne, lacked purpose in attack and were not a composed unit, attributes which were very much a part of their opponents.

The local side was however able to draw first blood when the game was 35 minutes old. It was a beautiful build-up which unfortunately was not replicated for the rest of the match.

Wing back Anthony Harding collected the ball in left side midfield worked his way forward before passing to Dwayne Jacobs who took the ball deep in Tempete’s half before squaring to Dwight Peters who finished clinically. It was a goal that brought the very supportive crowd to life.

They (crowd) did their best to urge the locals on and they did put together strings of passes at times but were guilty of giving up possession of the ball all too easy.

After the break, Alpha, known locally as ‘The Hammer’ was not able to strike, much less keep their challengers at bay as the action took place in their half for the most part.

The Haitians took the game to the local boys unremittingly as their superior technical and tactical strengths were imposed at will. A number of chances were created but went array in the attacking third.

Alpha created a few of their own but lacked the punch up front to turn half chances into goals. The result adds tremendous pressure on Alpha for the return game which is scheduled for Sunday in Haiti.

The Haitian Coach Jean Wilcuins Plaisir speaking after the game through interpreter Chris Nezivar said he was disappointed with the result and felt that they should have won the game.

“It was a bad result and I think we should have won the game since in the first half.” He said the return game would be tough for Alpha since they would be enjoying home advantage.

He also disclosed that they would be using two new forwards in the home game on Sunday and also noted that they did not feel any pressure when Amius was sent off as they were physically prepared for the battle. Plaisir did however give credit to Alpha who he said did their best.

Mervin Wilson, Alpha’s head coach disclosed that he was very disappointed with the performance of his charges noting that he would have liked to see them attacking and counterattacking much more. “I am totally disappointed with the team and how they played.

The ball was played too much in our half.” “We worked out our strategies in practice but they did not execute the plan for example crossing ball more frequent. When we did we scored but it was not done after that. I believe that we should have won the game by four or five goals.”

Wilson believed that one of the things that could have contributed to this was confidence and the lack of competitive playing hours.

Club President Odinga Lumumba also shared the view that Alpha should have won but despite that fact, he believes that the team did Guyana proud.

Touching of the return game, Lumumba said they have to raise a lot of money for Haiti, at least US $25,000 or Five Million Guyana dollars. “The next two to three days are critical for us.”

Saturday evening’s supporting game which was an under-21 affair saw BK International Western Tigers defeating Pele, 2-0.

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