PROGRESSIVE FC defeated Ujama CC 3-0 to win their second Portland Western Union Major League at Carder Park recently.

Progressive, with goals from Antwane Wilson (47th minute), Ashani Higgins (49th) and O’Brian Reid (90+4), ended a 25-year title drought.

Progressive Head Coach Peter Peart says he is looking forward to the next stage.

“This journey has been rough as we started with six boys and, as we went along, it developed until we had to turn away some,” he said. “We had a good crop of players to choose from. The discipline was rough at first but we got them to focus, and it has helped us. We planned to wear them down in the first half and we did that [so] as soon as the second half started we got two goals, as we got them weary.

“We are happy for the victory, thanks to Ujama, and we are now going all the way, finding ourselves in the Tier 2 level of football. After Tier 2 is finished we are going all the way to the Premier League.”

Ujama Coach Rasheik Miller was graceful in defeat but said this is his last game at the club.

“We have been affected with injuries and tonight Progressive beat a young team, a running team, and our injuries got the better of us,” he said. “I will not take anything away from the performance of Progressive, however we just couldn’t get enough out of our guys. We won’t bash them. We appreciate what you have done and what you gave us tonight.

“Unfortunately, I’ll be stepping away from Ujama, sad as it is. I spent all of my life playing for Ujama but I think it is now time to hand over the baton to someone else.”

Portland Football Association President Raymond Grant commended Western Union for their long-term sponsorship, and the teams for their cooperation in the development of football in the parish.

“We are very appreciative of the partnership of Western Union for 30 years and the marriage in terms of partnership with football,” he said. “We do not take this lightly and we continue to be appreciative for their involvement in the development of football in the parish of Portland.

“I commend the teams for their involvement and the challenge, as our regulations and policy require all the clubs to take part in our youth competitions — Under-15, Under-17, and Under 20 competitions and, as you have seen earlier, [it] was the final of the Under-15 competition. It’s a bit challenging from that perspective but outside of that, everything went well.

“We are happy to facilitate competition under lights and I appreciate the support of the public-private partnership, the Members of Parliament, Jamaica Public Service Foundation, the Portland Municipal Corporation, and all the persons in getting this facility to where it is now.

“Thanks to the supporters and the teams for their involvement.”

WiFi United defended their Under-15 Portland FA title, defeating Progressive FC 3-0 in the first match of the double-header. WiFi won through a brace from Romario Dixon (11th and 60th) and Josiah Walker in the 23rd.