Real Mona (Gold) on the attack in Saturday's KSAFA-Claro Super League game at the Bell Chung Stadium. Santos carved out a fighting 3-1 win to move to 4th in the tables.

Santos left it late but snatched a hard fought 3-1 win over a battling Real Mona last Saturday at the Bell Chung Stadium in the 10th round of the KSAFA-Claro Super League.

Mona settled early and looked the most likely team to score as Santos struggled to put their passes together, maintain possession, and to contain the high crosses relied on by their up-town rivals. But, against the run-of-play, Santos took a 1-0 lead in the 6th minute when prolific scorer, Fabian "Blacks" Nethersole, was hacked-down in the box as he advanced menacingly towards the Real Mona goal. Nethersole calmly dusted himself off and slotted home for his 6th goal in eight games.

The 1-0 lead did nothing to lift Santos' game as Mona took control of midfield and used Santos' seemingly vulnerability to the high balls to launch waves of attacks. Mona's persistence and midfield dominance paid dividends in the 44th minute as the Santos defense failed to handle a high cross from the right flank and Akeeif Martin leaped high above the Santos defense to nod home the equalizer to end the half at 1-1.

Santos made some adjustments in the second half which resulted in the team playing with more purpose and cohesion. Central defender Stephen Grantsuffered an injury and was replaced by Paul Campbell, while veterans Boris Johnson and Kirk Edwards came off the bench and immediately Santos took control of the game.

Santos Leading Goal Scorers

It was all Santos from then, and national U-17 striker, Marvin Morgan, capped a fine performance with a well taken goal in time-added (92nd minute) to seal the issue, and give the hosts a well deserved 3-1 win. Morgan, who attends St. George's College, is the grandson of the famed Boy's Town custodian of the 70s, Lloyd "Respic" Morgan, and should prove to be a wonderful addition to the squad of the 2008 Manning Cup champions.

Santos was represented by Denzil Isaacs, Fabian Nethersole, Dwayne Atkinson, Marvin Morgan, Damion McNeish, Paul Campbell, Oneil Gayle, Sheldon McKay, Jerome Celvin, Stephen Grant, and Shyan Evans. Subs: Kybahi Edwards, Boris Johnson, Kirk Edwards, Michael Rose, Jerome Benjamin, Robert Beckford, and Michael Rose.

THE BELL CLAN. One of the most talented sporting family in the history of Jamaican sports, the Bells, are caught in this late 1950's picture. From left, back row: Winthorpe "Jackie" Bell Jr., Vernon Bell, Elizabeth Bell, and Russell Bell. Front row, from left: Neville "Bertis" Bell, Karl Bell, Michael Bell, Clarice Bell, and Winthorpe Bell Sr.

Santos visit Up-Park Camp this Saturday to engage the Claro Super League leaders JDF. The plan is simply to go into Camp and snatch all three points from the hard-running soldiers with good solid possession football, and end the first-half of the competition a very close second. With August Town and Bull Bay expected to score easy wins this Saturday over Marverley/Hughenden and Liguanea United, respectively, a Santos win over JDF would see the first-half of the League ending with Bull Bay in front with 24 points followed by August Town, JDF, and Santos with 23 points each.

To accomplish the tough task, Santos will have to win the air battles in defense, control midfield, and convert those chances created or presented. Santos will also have to shed this dubious reputation of being a second-half team and become an entire game team. The problem with living-up to the hype of being a second-half team is that by the time the second-half begins, Santos could be down 3-0 and find that step hill too much to overcome.

THE PREFECT IS IN THE HOUSE One of the few veterans of Santos' dream team of the mid 2000 that won back-to-back-to-back KSAFA Major League, and two consecutive Super League titles, respectively, is central defender, Dwayne "Prefect" Atkinson. Atkinson has cemented himself in the Santos team, and is showing signs of returning to the top of his game, and will play a leading role for Santos in the second half of the Claro Super League.

Despite the heroics of goalkeeper Nyron Prawl who denied Nick Zadie twice from the penalty spot, Santos Masters suffered their second successive loss as they were shutout 3-0 by Real Mona Masters at Buttercup Park on Sunday. Santos were also beaten 3-2 the previous week by Kingston Commissioners at Water Commission Oval.

Santos Masters travel to Morant Bay this Sunday to tackle Morant Bay Masters at Good Year Oval as they continue their preparation for the 2009 KSAMLA Masters League scheduled to begin in April.

BELL CHUNG GIRLZ RECRUITING

Santos' Bell Chung Girlz will continue to train this Saturday and Sunday morning at the Bell Chung Oval in preparation for the 2009 JFF Women's football league, and the new KSAFA women's football competitions scheduled to begin in April.

The Santos women's football program has also stepped-up their recruiting drive in order to attract members from the ISSA High School girls competition now in progress.

1st ORVILLE EDWARDS MEMORIAL FOOTBALL FESTIVAL, EASTER MONDAY, APRIL 13

ORVILLE EDWARDS

*Details in Newsletter #3*