A debut to forget for Mile Gully

Mile Gully FC’s debut in the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) against Vere United FC at Brooks Park on Saturday was one the club hopes to quickly forget.

First, the Manchester club only had eight eligible players to start the match, then during the first half their goalkeeper picked up a serious knee injury and had to be withdrawn.

Then in the 66th minute, another player had an asthma attack and also had to leave the field. As a result of having only six players remaining, Mile Gully had to forfeit the game with Vere leading 8-0. Vere’s Mureka Howard scored a hat trick while Tashika Hamilton slammed in two goals.

Manager of the Mile Gully team, Lorraine Cassanova, explained that the club is unable to register the majority of their squad because most of the players are high school students who do not have an official national identification.

However, she said the club is working with the parents to get their passports sorted, and she is hoping they will have their full complement by this weekend.

“For the registration process, we have a lot of young high school ladies on our team and most of them aren’t able to have their national identification cards because they are too young or they do not have a passport. So there lies the difficulty in getting all of them registered for the competition, but we are working with them and the parents to take care of the passports,” she disclosed.

“Hopefully, by our next game on Saturday we will have everybody ready,” Cassanova added.

She also noted that the two players who left the game for medical reasons are doing well.

“They are doing all right. In fact, the goalkeeper had a checkup today (Sunday). We are working with her to ensure that she can come back to full fitness,” she said.

She said that when everyone is available they expect good things from their team.

“We expect to do very well. Things should get better when we get everyone registered. I have full confidence in the girls.”

In the other Group B game, Cavalier defeated Real MoBay 9-0, thanks to five goals from Rena Gordon, a brace from Kersha Thomas and one each from Suen Gregory and Jynelle Graham.

Cavalier and Vere share the lead in the group with maximum six points.

Meanwhile in Group A, Frazsiers Whip came from a goal down to drub Springers 6-1 at Wespow Park.

Natoya Atkinson led with a hat trick, while Latoya Duhaney got a double and Tajay Stephenson the other. Donique Wilson had earlier given Springers the early lead from the penalty spot.

At the Annotto Bay Sports Complex, Baptiste Alliance turned back Rangers 3-1 with goals from Kerry-Ann Sterling, Rihana Smith and Jahdel Vassell.

Frazsiers lead the group with six points, followed by Springers and Baptiste Alliance on three. Olympic and Rangers are yet to get off the mark.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com