Flankers, Reggae Youths take first-round leads in Sandals Major League
MOUNT SALEM, St James — Flankers United and defending champions Reggae Youths ended the first round of the St James Football Association/Sandals Resorts International Major League as leaders in their respective groups.
Flankers won their last two games to take the lead in Zone A with eight points, just one point better than Granville United and Heights FC, with Green Pond SC on five points and Wadada United FC still to open their account.
Reggae Youths beat Cambridge United 2-0 on Saturday to end the first round on a perfect 12 points — six more than Lilliput Rovers and Cambridge United — while Boys Club are on four points with Irwin United on one.
The league will take a break until December 28th when action will resume with the start of the second round.
On Sunday Andrew Tate scored a double when Granville United blanked Wadada United 4-0 as the former many-time champions slumped to a fourth-straight loss.
Tate gave Granville United the lead after 16 minutes, before Lujae Doeman made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute and Romaine Lewis added a third in the 58th minute.
Tate returned in the 65th to complete his brace.
Heights FC missed a chance at retaking the lead after they were held 2-2 by Green Pond SC at Green Pond High, coming from a goal down to lead 2-1 before giving up the tying goal.
Heights FC missed a big opportunity to take the lead early and also missed a penalty in the second minute of play.
Green Pond did not waste their chances and went ahead in the 15th minute through Shaquille Campbell.
Heights FC, who had started well with two convincing wins before they were beaten 4-0 by Flankers FC, rallied to pull level in the 33rd minute when Michael Campbell scored his second goal of the season and then took the lead in the 40th minute when Jevar Maxwell scored his fourth of the season.
Heights FC, however, failed to hold on to the advantage and the better-conditioned Green Pond SC snatched a point when Devoie Douglas scored in the 53rd minute.
On Saturday, Reggae Youths beat Cambridge United for their fourth win while Lilliput Rovers edged Irwin United 2-1 at Irwin High School.
Michael McLeod scored his first goal of the season to give Reggae Youths the lead in the second minute, and Sachin Wilmot scored his second of the campaign in the 73rd minute as the champions secured full points.
At Irwin High, Jamar Johnson scored in the 21st minute to give Lilliput Rovers the lead but Nicholus Samuels drew Irwin United level in the 66th minute.
Obrian Warren, however, scored the winner for Lilliput Rovers in the 78th minute as they rebounded from their loss to Reggae Youths in their previous game.