Then came DuVerger's moment of glory as he broke through the defense on 80 minutes, took a touch around Francis and under pressure from Creese slotted home for the equalizer. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

Both teams struggled with the slippery surface which had caused a delay to the start of the game as Officials decided whether the pitch was playable or not. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

The Haitian Stars have now recorded 4 points from two games in the National League, whilst the Rebels have just one. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

A largely forgettable matchup between the leagues, until this season, perennial whipping boys and the new comers saw the early exchanges evenly matched with both sides struggling to come to terms with a slick slippery surface which had caused the Officials some concerns and delayed the start by some 15 minutes.

The same time span is what it took for the games first meaningful moment when Haitian’s Cleon Griffin, thrashed a shot into the side netting.

Spurred onto the front foot, the Rebels had some of the first half’s best moments when a long range shot from the Rebels number 8, whose name for reasons unknown didn’t appear on the team sheet, but was called “Shortman” by the sizeable crowd,  was only parried by Daniel Phillip in the Haitian goal. Moments later the same player saw his free kick deflected away from danger and then he sent a inch perfect cross into the box only for the Rebels number 20, who was also absent from the team list, to direct his free header wide.

As the first period reached its half way point, Reuben Story almost caught the Rebels ‘keeper, Mervyn Francis out of position with a first time shot from the edge of the box and Griffin got a header goal bound but was adjudged to have pushed Atebe Creese as he made contact.

A quick exchange of corners gave the crowd some excitement before almost on the half time whistle; the same Rebels number 8 picked up a loose ball and found Bryan Smith out on the right hand side. Smith skipped through a couple of Haitian challenges before driving into the “box” and smashing an unstoppable shot inside the left hand post to give the Rebels a one nil lead.

Chances were few and far between in the second half, but Juanito Dias rushed his shot from 12 yards out and failed to find the target. Dias also had a shot blocked following an initial save from Phillip after Joel Williams finally found some space to get a shot on target.

Hilton Matthews should also have done better from a corner, but having lost his marker from a corner couldn’t find the target with his free header from 6 yards out.

Then came DuVerger’s moment of glory as he broke through the defense on 80 minutes, took a touch around Francis, and under pressure from Creese, slotted home for the equalizer.

As is often the case the last few minutes and four minutes of added time saw the game burst into life.

The rebels strikers couldn’t quite get a finishing touch on a cross that flashed across the crowded Haitian goal, Matthews saw his downward header go inches wide and an attempted overhead kick from Theodore Brooks went high and wide of the goal.

At the other end Micah Ormond saw his half volley bounce narrowly away from the goal with Francis scrambling and the Rebels had what they thought was the winner ruled out for offside.

The diving header was worthy of all 3 points, but it wasn’t to be for the Rebels who had at least stopped a losing streak. It would also have been unfair on the Haitians who were deserving of a point.