Catherine Hall, Somerton cop St James Senior, Division One titles
MONTEGO BAY, St James — Catherine Hall FC and Somerton FC won the St James Football Association Sandals International Senior and Division One titles, respectively, after scoring contrasting wins in the finals played at Jarrett Park on Sunday.
Catherine Hall edged first-time finalists Heights FC 1-0 in the Senior League final to earn promotion to the Western Confederation Super League next season.
In the Division One final, Somerton FC outscored Irwin United 4-3, with Antonio Parks scoring the winner three minutes in time added as the game appeared heading to extra time.
Both Division One finalists have also earned promotion to the Senior League next season and will replace Club Stars and Mountain Villa, who finished last in the Senior League this past season.
The Senior League final was closely contested between two equally matched teams coming off impressive semi-final victories.
Catherine Hall FC’s superior fitness eventually made the difference as, after taking the lead in the 65th minute, they frustrated the Heights team by pulling players back in defence.
The lone goal came after the Catherine Hall team misplayed a free kick from just outside the 18 yard area, but the ball fell to Tajay Robinson on the left side and he lashed a left-footed effort into the far corner of the goal.
The Garfield Anderson-coached team had two more good scoring chances to kill off the game, but missed both.
Jamarro Wallace had a gilt-edge chance in the 73rd minute after they caught the Heights FC defence in a three-on-two fast breaks but he struck the inside of the right upright after goalkeeper Zanhue Woolison was beaten on the edge of the six-yard box and then watched as the ball ran along the goalline before it was cleared.
Two minutes from the end of regulation, a shot from the left side went through Woolison’s legs, off the far post and out of play for a corner.
In the first game, Parke’s double carried Somerton FC to their second title in three years after they had won the Division Two earlier, but they lost an early lead and trailed 1-2 at half-time.
Parks gave Somerton the lead after just three minutes, but Tevin Bennett in the 14th and Robert Anglin’s first of a double, in the 21st, saw the regular season champions take over the advantage.
The teams then traded goals in the second half with Somerton FC having the last laugh.
Marvin Ellis restored parity for Somerton FC in 50th minute and Alwayne Bennett put them back in the lead in the 71st minute, but the teams were tied up at 3-3 in the 74th minute when Anglin got his second goal of the game.
With time running out and the game appeared heading to extra time, Parks, who started the scoring, finished it with the winner three minutes into time added.
