Sandals South Coast book Super League semi-final spot
GRANVILLE, St James — Sandals South Coast have secured an early place in the semi-finals of the Jamaica Football Federation Western Confederation Charlie’s JB Rum Super League, with four rounds of matches to go, after beating defending champions Granville United 3-1 in their third-round cross-zone game at the Granville Community Centre on Saturday.
Sandals South Coast scored three goals in a first-half 17-minute blitz and rushed to 34 points, and after an exciting 2-2 draw between mid-season champions Reggae Youths and Faulkland FC at WesPow Park. Sandals South Coast can finish no lower than second in the final points table.
The loss also means that Granville United stayed a point above the relegation zone, stuck on 12 points from 11 games.
At Granville, the home team missed a glorious chance of taking the lead early in the game as Troy Reid’s penalty kick was saved by goalkeeper O’Brian Vendor.
Maliki Reid was well positioned to tap home in the 23rd minute and give Sandals South Coast the lead after a shot from outside the area came back off the underside of the crossbar.
Oraine Shippy got on the end of a free kick in the 37th minute to steer home the second goal, while Dwayne Blake took advantage of a disorganised Granville United defence in the 40th minute to make it 3-0.
Demar Dohman scored his fourth goal of the season when he scored for Granville United in the 82nd minute.
At WesPow Park Faulkland FC came from behind twice to earn a draw with Reggae Youths, who have drawn their last three games in the league, in a competitive game at WesPow Park in front of a crowd that would rival that of a Premier League match.
Jermaine Jackson gave Reggae Youths the lead in the 24th minute and they held it until the 50th minute when Shawn Bradford levelled for Faulkland FC.
Giovanni Reid scored a well-taken goal in the 74th minute, beating his Cornwall College teammate Jamario Hines in the Faulkland FC goal to restore his team’s lead.
That lead lasted all of two minutes as Neil Clarke scored from close range after Peter-Lee Vassell crossed from the right flank.