NCB upset BOJ to win Interbank JamClear Cup
DEFENDING champions Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) were beaten by National Commercial Bank (NCB) 5-3 in the 2015 Western Sports/JNBS-sponsored Norman Goodison Interbank-JamClear Cup final on Sunday at Winchester Park.
Dawyne Smith of BOJ and Damion Walker of NCB both scored hat-tricks for their teams. BOJ scored their first goal in the fourth minute when they were awarded a penalty as central defender Calneth Gray fouled Andre Campbell in the box and referee Rinaldo Francis pointed to the spot.
Smith stepped up to score the first of his three goals. NCB were on level terms in the 22nd minute as a corner from Andre Messam was headed in to the goal by midfielder Damion Walker. The second goal was a penalty for NCB, as in attempting to clear a corner, defender Antonio Hall was called for a dangerous tackle on Zadok Howard and Damion Walker scored his second goal. NCB went 3-1 up in the 36th minute as Sheldon Maragh went on a solo dribble, beating two defenders before shooting past a diving goalkeeper Paul Allen.
Smith made it 3-2 two minutes later when a shot to goal by Akeem Thenstead was handled by Zadok Howard and another penalty was awarded.
After a serious half-time talk by coach Clint Reid, BOJ came out looking the equalising goal, which they got in the 70th minute. A free kick was awarded to BOJ from 30 metres out and Smith’s beautiful spot kick beat goalkeeper Levor Williams to make it 3-3.
BOJ scored their fourth goal in the 81st minute when a quickly taken spot kick from Andre Messam found Man-of-the-Match Damion Walker unmarked in the box and he shot past Allen.
Messam scored the fifth goal in the 87th minute when Ceyon Francis’s defence-splitting pass eluded the NCB defenders and found an unmarked Messam who tapped past a hapless Allen.
When the final whistle was blown, the many jubilant NCB supporters, including manager Jermaine Johnson, invaded the field as this was NCB’s first major football title since 2012.
NCB will meet Norman Goodison Inter-Bank football league champions, Scotiabank, on Sunday at the same venue at 3:00 pm.
