Lynch Park, Buff Bay: St George’s Sports Club retained the Portland Football Association Western Major League title when they defeated Manchioneal 5-4 on penalties after ending goalless after full and extra time.

Converting penalties for St George’s were Randal Huie, Bobby-Joe Huie, Omar Henderson, Tyrone Brown and Daniel Shaw, while Cordel Kennedy missed his. Manchioneal’s scorers were Ryan Rodney, Kesslon Hall, Maurice Clarke, Lindel Murray, while Durrant Talbert and Verrick Smith failed to find the net.

Patrons were treated to a very competitive game at Lynch Park as both teams came out attacking. St George’s Demar Easington saw his strike from just inside the penalty area parried for a corner by Manchioneal custodian Rojay White.

At the other end Manchioneal countered through Kesslon Hall, Ryan Rodney, Joel Murray and Maurice Clarke, but found goalkeeper Randal Huie and defender O’Neil Brown hard to penetrate. St George’s attacked through Kemar Miller, Tyrone Brown, Demar Easington and Javoy Belnavis but they failed to convert.

Both teams launched a number of attacks in the second half as Manchioneal introduced Cheddi Bernard and St George’s veteran Daniel Shaw. Bernard was denied, as an alert Andrew Miller literally took a ball off his foot shortly after he came on and St George’s Tyrone Brown was denied when White had to use his foot to clear a ball off the line after he was almost beaten by the shot as full time closed in.

In extra time St George’s dominated the first half, while Manchioneal got back into the second half but failed to score.

It went to the dreaded penalty kicks as both teams scored their first three. St George’s Kennedy kicked his effort over the cross bar and then Manchioneal took the lead 4-3. St George’s with their final kick levelled 4-4 but when Manchioneal’s Durrant Talbert arrived at the penalty spot, his strike went over the cross bar leading to sudden death. Veteran Daniel Shaw sent his team ahead 5-4 and Manchioneal’s captain Verrick Smith had his shot blocked by Randal Huie as St George’s celebrated their title.

Both teams will go on to play in the Eastern Confederation Super Eight.

Losing coach Lamond Henry was gracious in defeat. “I give thanks as it was a rocky season for us. They came here and gave a gallant fight. Congratulations to St George’s.”

Carl Brissett was pleased: “We knew that if we trained right we could win this title and we did just that. It was a good game and I was looking to take it in regulation time. I asked the team to dig in as they beat us right here in the end-of-round final. We tried to use the younger players to burn out Manchioneal and this worked but we did not get the goals we wanted. The penalties were good for us and we look forward in representing the parish well.”

Prince Royal was pleased with the game and the Portland FA. “We are pleased with both teams as it was a good game and the investment in this league is worth it. We had good support from the crowd today and this is good. It is worth every penny of the $1.5m and we are sure to come back next year. We are elated and I say thanks to the clients who use Western Union and the Portland FA for the level of organisation. We are here for 22 years and it has been a good partnership and we cherish this league to our hearts.”

Garfield Fuller, first deputy president Portland Football Association, was also pleased. “The support has been good and I give thanks to God and Western Union and the teams as they have done well. The support for the night games has been good and we are looking forward for some more night games. We would love to see the lighting facility in East Portland at Carder Park, and I challenge the Member of Parliament Dr Lynvale Bloomfield to get lights at Carder Park to improve the facility despite his contribution to the Under-17 competition that he sponsors,” Fuller said.

— Everard Owen