Cambridge advance to St James Fa/sandals Major League semis
MONTEGO BAY, St James — Cambridge FC snatched the last semi-final spot in the St James Football Association Sandals Resorts Major League after holding 10-man Granville United to a 1-1 result in their return game at the UDC Field on Tuesday.
The point earned from the draw was enough to give Cambridge FC the edge over Lilliput Rovers, who were beaten 1-2 by Reggae Youths at Spot Valley High.
Cambridge FC and Lilliput Rovers went into the final set of games tied on 19 points, both hunting the fourth semi-final spot to join Reggae Youths, Flankers FC and Granville.
Hosts Flankers FC were awarded points after Heights FC failed to field the minimum number of players, with only six showing up for the game.
Reggae Youths topped the points table at the end of the regular season with 28 points. They are set to meet fourth-placed Cambridge in the twolegged semi-finals, while Flankers FC and Granville United are to clash in the other match-up.
At UDC Field on Tuesday, Granville were reduced to 10 players from as early as the ninth minute after Damion Reid was sent off for striking Cambridge’s Tajay Mcintyre in his face.
Oraine Wilson gave Cambridge the lead in the 22nd minute when he volleyed in a low cross from the right flank past goalkeeper Loxley Reid Jr.
Cambridge held the lead until the 70th minute when Andrew Allen beat an offside trap and despite the Cambridge FC goalkeeper getting a glove to the shot, the ball hit the inside of the left upright and crossed the line.
At Spot Valley High, Lilliput Rovers, who were coming off a 3-1 win over Cambridge, gave up an early lead and lost the game and their chance to advance.
Mark Williams gave Lilliput Rovers the lead in the second minute, but Denardo Kerr levelled the scores for Reggae Youths in the 22nd minute. Oliseh Haye scored the winner in the 24th minute.