By PAUL A. REID, Staff ReporterWestern Bureau:
FORMER PREMIER LEAGUE champions Wadadah of St. James became the fourth and final qualifier for the Jamaica Football Federation's Premier-ship qualifying play-offs after winning the Fred Smith Western Confederation Super League on Tuesday, beating Orange Hill of Westmoreland 3-1 on penalty kicks in the return leg final played at Jarrett Park.
A 40th minute goal from former national player Markino Gillings, who represented Constant Spring in the Premier League this season, allowed Wadadah to draw level on aggregate after losing Sunday's first leg 1-2 at Frome, forcing sudden-death extra-time and eventually penalties.
Fabian Blake, Andre Reid and Leroy Housen scored from the spot for Wadadah whereas Dwight Gordon got Orange Hill's lone goal as Wadadah's goalkeeper Tristan Bernard made two saves from the four attempts made by the Orange Hill team.
Wadadah will now join Arlington of the South Central Confederation, Santos of KSAFA and St Georges of Eastern in a home and away series to decide which two teams will replace Star Cosmos and Seba United in next season's Premier League.
The home team made hard work of the game they dominated for long periods and had better chances, missing a first half penalty in addition to several good scoring chances.
Orange Hill goalkeeper Lamart McIntosh was also in inspired form with a series of brilliant saves and was the difference in Wadadah not winning in regulation time.
His best came late in the game when he was well placed to block a thunderbolt from Rohan Reid.
After a dominant performance in the first leg on a muddy field, the younger, fitter Orange Hill team was expected to dominate in the dry conditions on Tuesday but despite creating a few good chances of their own, never really bothered the Wadadah team.
Best chance
Their best chance came late in the game when their most experienced player, former Reno Premier League representative Dwight 'Giddy Giddy' McLawrence side footed what would have been the match-winner wide of the open goal with goalkeeper Tristan Bernard at his mercy.
Wadadah missed taking the lead after 16 minutes when Durrant Brown, a veteran of World Cup 1998, pushed a penalty kick wide of goal after a casual approach.
Gillings and Neville Brown missed good chances before Gillings came up with the goods five minutes before the break, beating McIntosh at his near post from close range.
Deep into the second period of extra-time, Brown, maybe the oldest player on the field, brought back memories of his heyday when he made a last minute tackle to deny Rohan Campbell a straight path at goal.
