SURPRISE package Barbican FC advanced to the final of the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Jackie Bell Knockout competition after blanking Harbour View FC 2-0 at the Drewsland Stadium yesterday.

The goals were scored by Lennox Russell in the 61st minute and schoolboy Bebeto McDonald in the 89th minute. In the late game at the venue, the hosts Waterhouse FC were set to face Boys’ Town FC to determine the other finalists.

In cool, overcast afternoon conditions, the more fancied Harbour View got the first good opening of the game.

Forward Ranique Muir sneaked into a good shooting position after Nicholas Beckett’s lobbed pass, but Barbican’s goalkeeper Ashek Taylor was equal to the effort from 20 yards.

Barbican fired a warning shot of their own when Russell’s left-footer went over the goal frame from an acute angle. Close to the break, Harbour View’s Dejanni Isaacs crafted a route down the right side, but his pinpoint cross was not met with the same accuracy by McKaully Tulloch, who flicked high and wide with the right boot.

After the interval, the lanky Keno Simpson dribbled through the Harbour View defensive set-up before a miscued shot at goal, but Russell was lurking at the far post to sweep past Levor Williams in goal.

As the game opened up late in the second half, both teams had good chances to score.

Russell chipped his shot wide after being put through on goal, but he might have been better served passing to a teammate, who was free and in an on-side position.

Moments later at the other end, Barbican custodian Ashek Taylor’s blunder nearly allowed Harbour View to equalise, but he made amends for his initial error with some smart goalkeeping.

With time running out and rain pouring at the venue, McDonald, who was on as a substitute, bundled the ball into the goal after a mix-up in the uneasy-looking Harbour View defence.

-Sanjay Myers