New Kingston keep word in Major League

After being eliminated at the quarter-final stage last season, New Kingston FC made a pledge that it would not happen this year in the Magnum/KSAFA Major League football competition.

True to their word, they achieved that task with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Shortwood United FC, to advance to the semi-finals, after New Kingston’s goalkeeper, Romario Bryan, saved the fifth penalty, then took up the ball and confidently buried it past his opposite number.

Penalties, the much-dreaded decider, were required following an enthralling 2-2 tie through regulation play and extra-time.

“Last year we went to the same quarter-final and turned back, but this year we set a goal (and said) we’ve to move from the quarter-finals then to the semis, then to the Super League,” said New Kingston FC’s head coach, Richard Bryan.

The penalty shoot-out would have been even more enduring for New Kingston FC, as they had squandered a two-goal first-half lead through goals scored by Raffique Bryan and Daniel Brown.

However, Odane Jack and Melvin Bryan struck back to level the tie for Shortwood and extend the contest to penalties.

“This game was a ding dong battle. We played them twice and we also had two practice matches. Coming to play this Shortwood team we knew it wouldn’t be an easy task, because they were going to come at us,” said New Kingston FC’s coach, Richard Bryan.

“We set out with a task to attack them, attack them from the get-go. But it wasn’t working as how we planned it. All in all, it was a good game and we had to dig deep to get this win,” added Bryan.

Shortwood United were actually undone by poor finishing towards the back-end of the game, plus a sluggish start, during which they conceded both goals.

In the other match, Olympic Gardens FC won 5-3 on penalties over Bull Bay FC, after both teams played to a goalless finish in regulation and extra-time play.

Semi-final games in the Magnum JN KSAFA Super League and Major League will take place tomorrow and Sunday at the Constant Spring Field. Tomorrow, Liguanea United will tackle Olympic Gardens at 6 p.m., while Molynes United FC and Meadforest FC will clash in the Super League encounter at 8:30 p.m.

On Sunday, Seaview Gardens will play for a place in the Major League final against New Kingston, beginning at 6 p.m., while defending Super League champions Barbican FC will face Real Mona FC at 8:30 p.m.