Couples Tower Isle cop Sandals Business House football title
COUPLES Tower Isle are the 2014 Sandals St Ann/St Mary Business House Football champions following a 5-1 demolition of newcomers Baking Enterprise in a dramatic, action-packed final at Drax Hall on Sunday.
Beaches Ocho Rios cemented their third place position in the play-off by spanking fellow semi-finalists Gran Bahia Principe 6-0 in a one-sided affair.
Couples Tower Isle’s win capped a magical season in which they emerged the only unbeaten team in the league, winning all their matches.
Carlinton Dodd, coach of the champions, was elated after the victory calling it a testament to hard work and discipline. “We are very proud of our team,” he noted after receiving the Sandals Trophy from Tony Ebanks, General Manager of Sandals Golf and Country Club.
The final kicked off with both teams playing attacking football, but it was Couples who seized the initiative following an own goal by Baking Enterprise.
Allen Campbell made it 2-0 in the 39th minute, latching onto a pass in the box and coolly slotting home.
Baking Enterprise came out fighting after the half-time break, but goals from Torain Jackson, Ricardo Benbow and Carlos Smith sealed their fate. The losers gained a consolation goal from the penalty spot.
In the opening match, Gran Bahia Principle, who had been one of the favourites to lift the crown, were hammered 6-0 by a confidentlooking Beaches Ocho Rios aggregation. Beaches attacked from the opening whistle and were 3-0 up by half-time. Leroy Martin, Jovan Abou, Garnet Henry, Damion Kelly and Lance Cameron were the scorers for the Beaches Ocho Rios team.
President of the St Ann Football Association Danny Beckford praised the team for what he termed a great season and lauded sponsors Sandals Resorts International for their continued support and commitment to St Ann and St Mary Football.
Sandals Resorts Regional Public Relations Manager Ian Spencer congratulated the Couples Tower Isle team, terming them worthy champions.
“We are pleased with the overall standard and organisation of the competition and general level of play,” Spencer noted.
He was, however, concerned about the number of red cards issued throughout the competition as well as some aspects of the refereeing.
