Clarendon-based Jamalco FC earned promotion to top-flight football for the first time in their history after clipping visitors Brazil FC 1-0 in the Jamaica Football Federation Charley’s JB Rum play-off match at Wembley Centre of Excellence yesterday.

Jamalco’s goal was scored by Andrew Isaacs in the 10th minute.

In the day’s other fixture, hosts Maverley/Hughenden FC sneaked into a favourable position to take the second and last promotion spot after outplaying Granville United in a 1-0 victory at Maverley playing field. Their win was sealed by second-half substitute Paul Stewart’s 75th-minute strike, which came within seconds of him entering play.

Jamalco, the South Central Confederation champions, stay perfect with four wins from as many outings for their 12 points.

Maverley, the Kingston and St Andrew champions, have seven points, while Eastern Confederation kingpins, Brazil, have four points. Out-of-contention Granville, the representatives from the Western Confed, remain at the foot of the four-team play-off group without a point.

At the Maverley venue yesterday, the early exchanges were far from entertaining.

But a bit of life was pumped into the drab affair in the latter stages of the first half.

Maverley/ Hughenden’s busy attacker Wayne Williams drove a powerful right-footer that was tipped over the bar by Granville’s goalkeeper Zarhia Hutchinson.

Soon after Williams found room inside the Granville penalty area, but shot straight at Hutchinson.

Moments later, the diminutive Williams was put through on goal, but was thwarted by the onrushing Hutchinson.

At the other end, Maverley’s ‘keeper Damian Campbell had little or nothing to do as the teams entered the half-time interval scoreless.

The second half was much of the same as Maverley/Hughenden threatened on several occasions, but failed to find the finishing touch at the end of promising attacks.

Granville, though fighting hard and possessing a few skilful players, continued to lack menace in attack.

Stewart finally made the pressure count for the hosts after he went on in the 74th minute.

Almost immediately he was on the end of a sumptuous series of short passes in and around the Granville penalty box, and rifled home from point-blank range.

It was a beautifully orchestrated goal, worthy of deciding any encounter.

— Sanjay Myers