Jamalco near Clarendon mid-season final

BY OSHANE TOBIAS Observer writer

Thursday, February 23, 2012

FOUR PATHS, Clarendon — Jamalco joined neigbours New Bowens atop the Clarendon/Captain's Bakery Major League despite being held to a 1-1 scoreline by fellow newcomers Four Paths on Tuesday.

With the two young clubs starting a rivalry of their own in the past season, an explosive encounter was expected at the Four Paths Community Centre in south west Clarendon and, though there was no winner, the game lived up to its billing.

After a goalless first-half, the visitors took the lead in minute 74 through a Xavier Daley strike — his third in two games.

However, it took the home side just five minutes to find the equaliser and grab a share of the points when Marvel Morgan fired in.

The result was perhaps a fair one based on the run of play, but did little to enhance either team's ambition of securing a place in the mid-season final.

Instead, it adds even more intrigue to an already exciting competition in which a mere five points separate first place from fifth.

It also means Four Paths will have to wait a while longer to gain revenge on a Jamalco side that piped them for last season's Division One crown. But coach Marlon Allen might not be too disappointed seeing that they stayed within one point of the leaders.

The ex-Sporting Central captain will also be happy with his side's 'never say die' attitude in coming from behind to remain the only unbeaten team after seven rounds of games.

For Jamalco, the result not only keeps them on course for a place in the mid-season final, but also sees them inching ahead of south east Clarendon neighbours New Bowens at the top of the table, courtesy of a superior goal difference.

Meantime, cellar-dwellers York Town and Longwood earned their first points of the season after playing out a 1-1 draw at the Monymusk, Lionel Town.

Six points now separate the duo from eighth-placed Original Hazard, who sit in the safe zone.

The day's other fixture in Gimme-Me-Bit also ended 1-1 between the hosts and neighbours Milk River, who jumped one place to fourth — four points adrift of joint leaders Jamalco and New Bowens.

Last season's runners-up Gimme-Me-Bit remained in seventh on eight points.