Tafari, Holland square off in 'St Bess'

Published: Sunday | June 4, 2006


TOP GUNS Tafari Lions and Holland Police Youth Club in St. Elizabeth square off in the first-leg final of the 2005-2006 Wray and Nephew Major League football competition at Munro College at 3:30 p.m. today. The second leg will be played on Thursday.

The clash will be a repeat of the 2003-2004 final which was won by Holland. However, the Lions avenged their loss earlier this season with a 1-0 win in the mid-season final.

The teams booked their spots in the final with contrasting aggregate wins. Holland advanced 2-0 while the Lacovia-based Lions came from behind to beat Black River 5-4 on penalties for an 8-7 aggregate win.

BEST RECORD

Tafari had the best record in the league, winning 11 and drawing five without a loss. They scored 30 goals and gave up 12 to top the league with 38 points, while Holland PYC won nine, drew six and lost one. They scored 33 goals with 12 against to finish on 33 points.

The Linval Wilson-coached Lions had some major success earlier in the season winning the knockout competition to compete in the All-island Knockout where they eliminated
NPL team Wadadah but could not get past Tivoli Gardens.

Holland last season reached the final of the beach football competition where they were beaten by Portmore United.