FOLLOWING intensive and constructive preparation, Seaview Gardens delivered the goods by defeating Maverley/Hughenden 3-2 in extra time to lift the JN/KSAFA Major League title on Saturday at the Barbican playing field.

A double strike from Patrick Richards in minutes 69 and 101, and another from Shawn McDonald in the 89th gained for Seaview Gardens the title, while a 37th-minute penalty from Roderick Williams and an Akeem Anglin 86th-minute reply only managed to take Maverley/Hughenden to the brink.

Both teams will now campaign in the higher Super League division of the KSAFA-administered competition next season.

Following an uneven display in the first half of the first 90 minutes of play which was dominated by Maverley/Hughenden, Seaview Gardens buckled down in the second half with some serious play.

Their grit and determination were then extended into final minutes of extra-time, especially after Maverley/Hughenden missed the go-ahead goal minutes before Seaview Gardens scored to seal their come-from-behind 3-2 win.

Coach Philmore Crumbie was close to tears from excitement over the success of Seaview Gardens’ achievement.

“This is a beautiful thing for me, very beautiful. I must tell you that we all worked hard for this (level of achievement) over the years — from the team and from the coaching staff.

“The team showed a lot of character and fight and determination today, and things just worked in our favour. Let me add, I must give God prayers and thank the community for its support,” Crumbie added.

In his summation Maverley/Hughenden’s captain Jermaine McKoy said nothing should be taken away from Seaview Gardens’ victory. “We had a very good first half, but returned for the second half very flat as we stopped doing what we were doing in the first half and, as a result, that cost us the game. I did not think that we exhibited the will and character that coincide with success. I thought Seaview played a beautiful second half; they came out with a purpose and as a result they deservedly won today.”