MBU, Reggae Youths to contest St James KO final
MONTEGO BAY, St James — Promoted Senior League team Reggae Youths continued their impressive showing in the St James Football Association Captain’s Bakery and Grill Knock Out and will meet Premier League outfit Montego Bay United in the final after victories in Sunday’s semi-finals at Jarrett Park.
Reggae Youths scored back-to-back upsets over teams from a higher league, beating Western Confederation Super League team Granville United 5-4 on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw in one semi-finals, after eliminating Norwood Strikers by the same method in the previous round.
In the other semi-finals of the double header, Montego Bay United wore down an impressive looking Melbourne Strikers, beating them 3-0.
The final will be contested on Sunday at Jarrett Park.
Reggae Youths now qualify for the Jamaica Football Federation’s all-island Flow Champions Cup Knock Out that will be held later this year.
Granville United have only themselves to blame, particularly former national youth representative Deshawn Woolery, who missed two chances from point blank range in the second half, then saw his penalty kick in the shootout saved by goalkeeper RaionBernard.
In the shoot-out, Michael McLeod, Gavin Brown, Jermaine Jackson, Keneil Whittaker and Anthony Marks all scored for Reggae Youths, while Andrew Allen, Kevin Campbell, Cion Peterkin and Davion Thelwell all scored for Granville.
After the disappointment of losing back-to-back games at the end of the second round of the Premier League and missing a chance to play in the end-of-round final, Montego Bay United restored some pride with a good 3-0 win over a Melbourne United team that created several scoring chances in the first half.
Fabian McCarthy, who missed the team’s last four games, gave them the lead from the penalty spot in the 20th minute.
Allan Ottey doubled the lead in the 51st minute and Oraine Braham, who came off the bench in the second half, put them game out of reach in the 84th minute.