After being eliminated at the quarter-final stage last season, New Kingston FC made a pledge that it would not happen this year in the Magnum KSAFA Major League football competition.

True to their word, they achieved that task with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Shortwood United FC to advance to the semi-finals, after New Kingston’s goalkeeper Romario Bryan saved the fifth penalty then took up the ball and confidently buried it past his opposite number.

Penalties, the much-dreaded decider, were required following an enthralling 2-2 tie through regulation play and extra time.

“Last year we went to the same quarter-final and turn back. But this year we set a goal [and said] we’ve to move from the quarter-finals, then to the semis, then to the Super League,” said New Kingston FC’s Head Coach Richard Bryan.

The penalty shoot-out would have been even more enduring for New Kingston FC, as they had squandered a two-goal first-half lead through goals scored by Raffique Bryan and Daniel Brown.

However, Odane Jack and Melvin Bryan struck to level the tie for Shortwood and extend the contest to penalties.

“This game was a ding-dong battle. We played them twice and we also had two practice matches. Coming to play this Shortwood team, we knew it wouldn’t be an easy task because they were going to come at us,” said New Kingston FC’s coach Bryan.

“We set out with a task to attack them, attack them from the get-go — but it wasn’t working as how we planned it. All in all, it was a good game and we had to dig deep to get this win,” added Bryan.

Shortwood United were actually undone by poor finishing towards the back-end of the game, plus a sluggish start during which they conceded both goals.

“We could have been more aggressive at the start. I think we started slow, so they got the chance. They were quicker to the ball than us — that was one of the problems that caused us to go two goals down,” admitted Shortwood United’s Head Coach Gary “Buck” Francis.

“It’s tough to lose this game because we were coming from behind after we gave up two easy goals,” noted Francis. “But we fought back and we got the chances to win the game. But better shooting and we would’ve won the game before the 90 minutes were out.”

Saturday’s second quarter-final was also decided on penalties, with Seaview Gardens FC winning 4-3 over Greenwich Town FC. Both teams had ended 1-1 after full and extra time, with Kemoy Bailey scoring for Seaview and David Scully netting the goal for Greenwich.

The two other quarter-finals were played on Sunday, and only red-hot Liguanea United FC finished off their opponents within regulation play by defeating Cooreville Gardens 3-1. Player/coach Mitchily Waul netted a double for Liguanea FC, while Alvarez Cooper scored the other goal. Lamar Blissett scored for Cooreville Gardens FC.

In the other match, Olympic Gardens FC won 5-3 on penalties over Bull Bay FC, after both teams played to a goalless finish in regulation and extra time play.

Semi-final games in the Magnum JN KSAFA Super League and Major Leagues will take place on Friday and Sunday at Constant Spring complex. On Friday, Liguanea United will tackle Olympic Gardens at 6:00 pm, while Molynes United FC and Meadforest FC will clash in the Super League encounter at 8:30 pm.

On Sunday, Seaview Gardens will play for a place in the Major League final against New Kingston, beginning at 6:00 pm, while defending Super League champions Barbican FC will face Real Mona FC at 8:30 pm.