Boys' Town's coach, Andrew Price (left), congratulates Seba United's coach, Paul 'Tegat' Davis, after last night's Jamaica Football Federation's National Premier League qualifying second round game at Jarrett Park. Seba United won 1-0 to book their place in the NPL next season. - PHOTO BY PAUL A. REID
WESTERN BUREAU:
FORMER CHAMPIONS Seba United will play in next season's Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) after beating Boys' Town 1-0 in their Jamaica Football Federation NPL qualifying return round game at Jarrett Park yesterday.
A quickly taken free kick by Iton Scott in the 26th minute decided the outcome as the Montego Bay team raced to 12 points from four straight wins and cannot be overtaken by any of the other three teams taking part.
Los Perfectos, who drew 2-2 with Star Cosmos, are next on four points and lead Boys' Town on goal difference while Star Cosmos are last with two points.
Seba United's coach, Paul 'Tegat' Davis, praised his team afterwards, pointing out that no Confederation team had ever won their first four games and qualified so early for the NPL.
Despite giving up a lot of space to Boys' Town in the first half, Davis said his players were not tentative.
"Maybe the spectators were nervous but you had to expect the Boys' Town team to come out hard against us. It was good football but we got the goal that mattered," he said.
TOUGH LOSS
Davis' Boys' Town counterpart, Andrew Price, said the loss was a tough one.
"Tough loss, very tough, especially when you give up goals in that manner. Players must react quicker than that, we just did not react quickly enough," Price said.
The loss was not the end of the road for the South St Andrew club. Price said they were going all out for the next two games, both at home.
"We have our destiny in our hands," he said.
Meanwhile, a powerful resurgence in the last half hour lifted Los Perfectos to their critical 2-2 draw against Star Cosmos in a drama-filled encounter at the St. Mary Sports Complex. Orville McPherson (48th minute) and Andre Lawson (55th minute) scored for St. Mary's Star Cosmos while Calvin Benjamin (65th minute) and Alton Taylor (85th minute) netted for the visiting Manchester team.
DISAPPOINTED
Both contestants were reasonably disappointed with the point earned but it was important nonetheless in the context of the qualifying series with Montego Bay's Seba United winning all their matches to date and advancing to the NPL.
Star Cosmos' coach, Donovan Duckie, said, "I am very disappointed because we were leading 2-0 and in the end we gave up a very soft goal. We hope Seba continue to win their games. We have a mathematical chance".
Los Perfectos's coach Bradley Stewart said: "With one point on the road it's not the ideal situation, but we have to be grateful for the point. Coming from 2-0 down to draw the game and creating more chances, we feel a little bit disappointed that we didn't get the three points."
