Baptist Alliance, a team from the Yallahs community in St Thomas, will represent the Eastern Confederation in the JFF Premier League Play-offs after defeating parish rivals York United 4-3 on penalties in the final of the inaugural Portland/St Thomas Super League at York Oval on Sunday.

Both teams had played to an entertaining 1-1 scoreline over regulation and extra time, before penalties were used to separate them.

During regulation play, York’s Chandol Anderson had given his team the lead in the 16th minute, but Baptist Alliance’s Rohan Brown’s 55th-minute strike brought the teams even.

During the end-to-end affair, York’s offensive thrust was led by Charles Williams and Miguel Ricketts, while Baptist Alliance countered through Damion Anderson, Tamar Francis, Rohan Brown and Dujohn Delliser.

The deadlock was eventually broken when York’s Karee King led a counter-attacking move down the left flank, passing for leading goalscorer Anderson, who beat an advancing Zandra Mitchell in the Baptiste Alliance goal.

In search of the equalising goal Baptist Alliance pressed in the second half, forcing the York defence to become scrappy in the back, which paved the way for Delisser’s goalward shot, which came back to Brown to to finish off.

Both teams launched a number of raids in the hunt for the clincher, but failed to break the deadlock, forcing extra time. And after the 30 additional minutes, the parish rivals could not be pried apart, making way for the decisive lottery.

“We had some good training sessions and the team was positive and alert, while sticking to the instructions. We were a bit down when they went ahead, but we stuck to the task and pressured the defender who made a mistake which got us back into the game,” beamed winning coach, Vincent Barnes.

“We are looking forward to the play-offs and hope to do the region proud as we look forward to some positive results,” he added.

Losing coach Authly McGarth could not hide his disappointment.

“We were confident that we would be victorious as we have played them twice and had beaten them, but Baptist Alliance turned up for the final and we didn’t. We made a bad mistake for the equaliser and they held us out,” lamented McGarth.

Meanwhile, Confederation Chairman Raymond Grant was pleased with the initial staging of the competition. “The competition was keenly contested amongst the eight clubs and the final was spirited for which I am happy. Congratulations to Baptist Alliance as they advance to the JFF all-island play-offs. It was difficult for all the teams financially, but they stuck to the task,” he said.

St Thomas FA President Wayne Thompson was understandably pleased at the conclusion.

“I am happy the two teams in the final were from St Thomas and congratulations to Baptist Alliance as they move on and I expect them to do well as they have transitioned through the competition,” he said. Baptist Alliance will open against KSAFA’s Molynes United in the JFF Premier League Play-offs.

— Everard Owen