Granville United relegated from Western Confed Super League
GRANVILLE, St James — Former two-time champions Granville United have been relegated from the Jamaica Football Federation Western Confederation Charley’s JB Rum Super League after Sunday’s 1-2 loss to semi-final contender Hopewell United in their third-round game at the Granville Community Centre.
The loss was Granville United’s fifth of the season and left them on 20 points with one game to be played on Saturday and they cannot finish higher than seventh place and will be one of six teams that will return to parish football next season.
It was a sad end to a season that started with back-to-back wins but a slump in mid-season saw them drop in the bottom half of the points table and despite taking seven points for their last three games, will join the other five teams that will be demoted.
Four teams are automatically relegated to make way for the four promoted teams each season but with Montego Bay United and FC Reno both demoted from the Red Stripe Premier League, two more teams face the axe.
Reggae Youths and Somerton, both from St James, Lucea United and Grand Palladium from Hanover and Delveland PYC from Westmoreland will return to parish football.
Meanwhile, leaders Faulkland FC secured the top spot after getting points from Delveland PYC and are on 39 points, while four teams, separated by three points, will battle for the next two spots in the semi-finals.
Defending champions Wadadah FC, who have also qualified for the semi-finals, were held 0-0 by Harmony FC to inch to 32 points.
Hopewell United’s win kept them in third place with 28 points as they came from behind to beat Granville United with goals from Oliseh Haye in the 75th minute and Hietolah Gardener in the 82nd minute.
Troy Reid had given Granville United the lead in the 28th minute.
Falmouth United are in fourth place after edging Lucea United 1-0, thanks to Ziddane Francis’ 54th minute goal.
Sandals South Coast stayed in contention for a semi-final place with a 1-0 win over Grand Palladium, Ron Daley scoring in the 59th minute as they improved to 26 points in fifth place.
— Paul Reid
