Cement clip Gleaner in exciting finale

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Cement Company captured the Western Sports/-Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Business House division one title, following an exciting 3-2 extra-time victory over The Gleaner Company, at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex on Saturday.

On the previous Saturday at the same venue, The Gleaner were beaten on penalty kicks by division two campaigners Petrojam in the knockout final.

Both teams had earlier played to a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Jamaica National won the division two title with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Cable and Wireless in the curtain-raiser, this after both teams had played to a 1-1 full- and extra-time draw.

Penalty

In the division one final, The Gleaner dominated the first half and should have taken the lead in the 24th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Kenrick Picknight was brought down inside the 18-yard box by Peter Moore.

However, Doran Foster's spot kick was saved by Cement Company's custodian, Russell HoSang.

Oneil Morrison gave The Gleaner the lead 14 minutes later when his long-range shot deflected past HoSang into the goal.

Substitute Alexi Dobson equalised for Cement Company at the 60th minute, scoring a header from point-blank range past goalkeeper Everdean Scarlett.

The Gleaner's team was reduced to 10 players in the 84th minute, when substitute Jason Brown was sent off.

Power outage

During extra time, there was a power outage which led to a 15-minute delay.

On the resumption, substitute Kevin Samuels sent The Gleaner back in front in the 104th minute when he headed home a well measured cross from Morrison.

Four minutes later, Dwayne Morgan pulled Cement Company level when he outsprinted two defenders to rifle home a powerful right-footed effort past Scarlett.

Dobson sealed the victory for Cement Company two minutes later with a powerful left-footed shot past Scarlett.

Paul Laidley, coach of Cement Company, was elated.

"The game was about grit and determination, and I believe we wanted it more," said Laidley. "It was a very hard-fought victory for us because The Gleaner outplayed us in the first period.

"However, we made a few adjustments in the second period and it paid off for us and I am delighted for this," Laidley added.

Barrington Deer, manager of The Gleaner said: "Indiscipline was what cost us the match because we were leading after the first period and made a substitution in the second half. However, the substitute was red-carded shortly after and things got bad for us from then on."