Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
AUGUST TOWN have all but qualified for the Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) with a comfortable 2-0 win over Negril FC in their Jamaica Football Federation Confederations play-off game at the University of the West Indies field yesterday.
With two rounds remaining and as many spots up for grabs, August Town surged to nine points, four clear of Naggo Head on five with Negril third on four points, followed by Portland's St. George's on three.
Given that they will be playing against each other, it is impossible for any two teams to surpass August Town.
However, should August Town lose both matches, one team can surpass them and another join them on nine points. Goal difference would then come into play in such a scenario.
For the second consecutive match Tremaine Stewart, the Eltham High schoolboy, was on the scoresheet.
He opened the scoring in the 11th minute, ramming home a well-placed free-kick from 25 metres, sending the August Town faithful into a frenzy.
DOUBLED LEAD
Ross Burton doubled the lead and calmed the nerves of the home fans when he turned a fired home from the edge of the box in the 76th minute.
On another day Burton could have notched a three-timer. Twice he somehow spooned the ball over the bar from inside the six-yard box with the goalkeeper nowhere in sight.
While August Town's coach Christopher Bender congratulated his players and gave them "all credit", Jerome Waite, coach of Negril which played second fiddle all day, was full of praises for his conquerors but remained optimistic.
"I think August Town looked the more purposeful team today. They had the home advantage and they utilised it very well today," said Waite.
"Despite being in third spot we are just one point behind the team in second so it's now a do-or-die situation," he added.
GOALSHEET
August Town 2
(Tremaine Stewart 11th, Ross Burton 76th)
Negril 0
