Fogo edge Little Miami for St James Senior League title
MONTEGO BAY, St James — Fogo United beat Little Miami 1-0 to capture the St James Football Association’s Claro Senior League crown in a contentious return-leg final played at Jarrett Park on Sunday evening.
After drawing 0-0 in the first leg played at the UDC field a few days earlier, a second half goal gifted to O’Brian Robinson made the difference between the two closely matched teams.
Robinson’s 52nd minute shot managed to squeeze between goalkeeper Chase Smith’s legs and across the line, as the Flanker-based club returned to the Western Confederation Super League after a two-season absence.
Fogo finished the game with 10 players after Alme McFarlane was sent off by referee Donat McKenley.
Little Miami gave as much as they got but complained bitterly after the game about decisions made by referee McKenley late in the game when they had the tired Fogo team on the ropes.
Fogo had more possession and territorial advantage at the start of the game, pushing Little Miami back into their own half as McFarlane and Carl Williams both had powerful headers at goal missing by inches.
Little Miami’s first chance came after 20 minutes when they got behind goalkeeper Darren Myles, but a cross from the left side was blocked by the Fogo defence.
After holding out for over 140 minutes since the first leg, the under dog Little Miami defence eventually got breached when Robinson’s shot was poorly handled by Smith.
Little Miami hit back soon afterwards but a shot from just on the edge of the penalty area and heading for the low right hand corner of the goal was dug out by Fogo’s goalkeeper Myles.
As time ran out Little Miami laid siege to the Fogo area but failed to get the goal that would at least force extra time.