Michael McLean, Freelance Writer
SANTA CRUZ, St. Elizabeth:
FORMER CHAMPIONS Tafari Lions booked their place in the 2004/05 St. Elizabeth Wray and Nephew Major League after beating Middle Quarters Police Youth Club 2-1 in their second-leg semi-final played at the Goshen Sports Complex on Wednesday.
Darrion Williams and former Village player Marlon Fletcher scored in the 10th and 42nd minutes respectively, while Racquel Phillips got the consolidation in the 86th minute for Middle Quarters to end the contest 3-2 on aggregate.
The game, which started over an hour late due to the late arrival of the Middle Quarters team, lacked intensity and did not live up to the expectations of the small group on hand.
However, in the first half, Marlon Fletcher, Williams and Donavan Stone combined well in patches to launch several attacks, forcing the Middle Quarters' goalkeeper, Aldane Shakespeare, to save their numerous shots. On the other hand, Middle Quarters players showed their skill at times in attack but were kept at bay by the hard-tackling Lions defenders.
The game was stopped on two occasions to warn the coach of the Middle Quarters team, Patrick Malcolm, and about half way through the second half, he was sent off the ground by the referee for consistent dissent.
