Advantage Wadadah! - Former Premier League champs move closer to place in Super League final

Defending champions Wadadah FC will be going into the second leg of the JFF/Charley's JB Rum Super League with the advantage, after getting by Hopewell FC 2-1 in the first leg of the double-header played at Elleston Wakeland Centre in Falmouth, Trelawny, on Sunday.

Both teams appeared set to take a point from the encounter. Tyshan Hill stuck early for Wadadah, scoring in the 10th minute. However, his effort was cancelled out by Leslie Foster, who pulled the game level for Hopewell in the 65th.

But Hopewell conceded a penalty in the 90th minute, which Oshane Hunter converted for Wadadah.

"We played a good game plan in the first half, but in the second half, because of the wind, we were oftentimes caught out of position and Hopewell took advantage of it. However, it was good of the guys to come through and get the win," Daniel Ricketts, coach of Wadadah, said.

Hector Wright, coach of Hopewell FC, is now banking on his senior players to come up big in the second leg.

HAVE TO MOVE ON

"I've been in this position before, so it's not like I'm going to dwell on this 2-1 loss. We have to move on to game two. We have the quality to do it (turn the tie around). It's just that players have to understand that when you're playing a semi-final it's not a pretty game that wins sometimes you have to play ugly. Senior players also have to step up in situations like these," Wright said.

Meanwhile, in the second game of the double header, Falmouth United and Faulkland FC played out a 1-1 draw.

Ziddane Francis gave the host the lead with a brilliant header from a corner at the back post in the 22nd minute. However, Ewan Barton found the equaliser, five minutes from the half-time break.

Gregory Palmer, coach of Faulkland, is pleased to be going into the home leg with a draw after unfavourable conditions.

"In the first half, the breeze was against us, which limited our attack somewhat as players were in unfamiliar territory. They got shaky, gave away a goal off a defensive error, but we stuck to the task and got back a goal ... We just have to go back to Jarrett Park. We will be confident playing in Montego Bay so it's just for the guys to get it right," Palmer said.

Coach of Falmouth, Dean Weatherly, who admitted it won't be easy at Jarrett Park, said he's looking to make some adjustments for the second leg.

"We were definitely looking for the win but at least we did not lose. Now we just have to regroup, get our heads in the right order and iron out some of the kinks. I see where we can tweak some things here and there," Weatherly said.