Harmony capture TFA title in thriller

Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:

Harmony FC won the 2009-10 Trelawny FA National Rums of Jamaica Major Football League title on Saturday at the Elliston Wakeland Youth Centre, in Falmouth, when they scored a come-from-behind second-leg 3-2 win over Clarke's Town to win the two-day tie 5-2 on aggregate.

In an exciting display of attacking football, Clarke's Town started the game with a bang, scoring two quick goals to erase Harmony's first-leg 2-0 advantage. However, Harmony stormed back with three unanswered goals to secure their crucial 3-2 victory.

"Clarke's Town played extremely well today, but we were ready to deal with anything they threw at us," said Delroy Delisser, the coach of the Harmony team. "We showed a lot of character and that speaks well about the intensity of this team."

By virtue of their win, Harmony not only took home the coveted National Rums Trophy and the $150,000 winner's purse, but has also earned qualification to join western Jamaica's elite in next season's Western Confederation's Western Super Football League.

New goalscorers

Harmony FC, who got their first-leg goals from Howayne Sutherland and Kenardo Reid, found three new goalscorers on Saturday, scoring through Enos Wallace, Carlington Johnson and Cedric Johnson. Clarke's Town got their two goals from Romaine Roberts and Dhane Johnson.

Clarke's Town took the lead in the 13th minute when the Harmony custodian blocked a torrid shot from Johnson into the path of Roberts, who fired in to make the score 1-0.

Non-stop pressure

With Harmony under non-stop pressure, Clarke's Town struck again in the 21st minute. Johnson pounced on a cross before the Harmony goal and with the defence in disarray, he side-footed past the goalkeeper, making the score 2-0.

Harmony started their dazzling come-back in the 35th minute when Wallace went high for a long-range free-kick by Dean Lloyd Reid and deflected his header wide of the diving goalkeeper, making the score 2-1.

With time running out in the half, Harmony drew level in the 45th to reclaim their first-leg two-goal advantage. Another superb free-kick by Reid found Johnson (Carlington) unmarked before the goal and his header flew past the goalkeeper, making the half-time score 2-2.

The second-half was somewhat lacking in intensity, despite the fact that both teams continued to play well, creating the occasional early opportunities to add to their respective first-half goals.

In the end, the only goal of the half came in the 64th minute when Cedric Johnson pounced on a rebound and from 35 yards, struck a beauty with the outside of his right foot, which swerved away from the goalkeeper as it went crashing into the roof of the net, giving Harmony their 3-2 win.